It is very common to have crooked teeth. Additionally, several of our patients have overbites or under-bites, meaning that their resting bite is not even and protrudes out in some way. Garner Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers orthodontic consultations for our patients who want to resolve misalignment and straighten their smiles. Dr. Matthew Jenne works with each patient on an individual basis to determine the best treatment plans for orthodontic care.
Understanding Crooked Teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth have multiple causes. Excessive thumb or pacifier sucking during tooth development can cause crooked teeth. Additionally, many people find that crooked or misaligned teeth are a result of their genetics. Crooked teeth can also form due to facial injury. Regardless of the reason why you have crooked teeth, you should be aware of the following risks:
- Gum Disease – Crooked or misaligned teeth are harder to clean around. They create more sharp corners and edges for bacteria to hide around in your mouth. If this bacteria builds up over time, you are more likely to experience gum disease.
- Speech and Chewing Issues – Many people with crooked teeth experience issues with their speech or chewing patterns.
- Self-Confidence – If you’re uncomfortable with your smile, this can have a significant impact on your overall self-image and can hinder your personal development.
While each patient can choose to straighten their teeth or not, we encourage our patients to know their options. Dr. Jenne and our team are happy to go over these options with you.
Solutions for Crooked Teeth
The first step toward a straighter smile involves a comprehensive exam of your dental health. Your teeth and bite pattern will need to be thoroughly evaluated by our team to determine the best course of action. We will then either come up with a long-term orthodontic plan involving the use of braces or a short-term orthodontic plan, which could include Invisalign clear aligners. Our team is happy to help you find feasible and effective solutions to achieve a straighter, healthier smile.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
Will crooked teeth straighten out on their own?
Crooked teeth may straighten out on their own over time, however, this is rarely the case. There are a variety of reasons for crooked teeth. In most cases, teeth will never straighten out on their own and need orthodontic treatment to reliant them.
Is fixing crooked teeth necessary?
Fixing crooked teeth is not necessary however it does improve many aspects of a patient’s smile. Aligning crooked teeth fixes functionality of a patient’s bite, and gives them confidence in their smile.
How can I straighten my teeth without braces?
There are many options to straighten teeth that do not include braces. Some of these include Invisalign, dental crowns, retainers, and dental veneers.
Do crooked teeth get worse with age?
With advancing age, the density of your jaw bone reduces, and it starts shrinking in size. This results in a disparity between the size of the jawbone and the teeth, which may lead to crowding or overlapping of teeth, according to the American Association of Orthodontists.
Do crooked teeth affect face shape?
Face symmetry can be impacted by a variety of bite issues, including underbite, overbite, crooked teeth, and misaligned jaws. The length of your face and the structure of your jawbone are supported by your teeth, so any misalignment may affect this.
Can crooked teeth affect speech?
Crooked teeth can cause issues with speech. The teeth, jaws, and tongue all play important roles in speaking and pronunciation, so crooked teeth may make it difficult to pronounce certain sounds.