How Do You Treat Teeth Crowding?
What is teeth crowding?
Dental crowding (also known as teeth crowding or malocclusion) occurs when there is no space for the teeth to grow into formation correctly, so the teeth end up growing out of place or slanted/tilted. This comes with three levels of severity:
- A mild crowding level is considered when only about one or two teeth in the front are just slightly slanted/rotated.
- A moderate crowding level is when about two or three teeth in the front have rotated and have started to overlap each other.
- Severe crowding level gets to the point where the back teeth start to overlap onto each other.
What causes the teeth to crowd?
There are a few reasons why teeth crowding can occur, as follows:
- Losing baby teeth prematurely had caused the surrounding teeth to grow in freely and not form properly like the other teeth.
- The possibility that a person would grow to inherit a small jawbone or larger-than-average teeth.
- Extra adult teeth could possibly grow out and cause a disruption to the space. Oftentimes, wisdom teeth grow in and start pushing on the rows of teeth to try to fit in. Hence, the reason why adults tend to get their wisdom teeth removed.
Ways to combat teeth crowding
The older we get, the more dental issues we run into along in life. Now, there are ways to help fix the dental crowding, but it is based on age since each process focuses on a different way of growing, along with the teeth.
Braces – $3,000 to $13,000
Works for both youth and adults, but is a commitment because they need to be worn for at least 18 months to 3 years. They are used to help guide teeth into alignment by linking the teeth together and pulling them into form. The four types of braces available are Traditional metal braces, Clear braces, Ceramic braces, and Lingual braces.
Invisalign – $3000 to $8,000
Clear liners that are placed along the teeth, like mouth guards, but are almost invisible. They work like braces, but are more comfortable and make tiny shifts in the teeth with each new set. For the best results, it is recommended that they be worn for at least 22 hours to see proper results.
Dental veneers
A type of dental crown that covers the tooth and gives it a straighter and whiter smile. This procedure has started becoming a trend for adults, since it gives off the look of a flawless smile. But in reality, the enamel is removed, and what is left is a smaller portion of your teeth. The veneer caps then come in and blend in seamlessly with your skin tone.
Retainers
Used to help keep teeth in place after work is done by simply putting pressure on the back of the teeth.
Dentofacial Orthopedics
Mostly used for kids, it’s a type of headgear that is strapped to the head while the palatal expanders are stretched under the roof of their mouth. This is worn by kids 5 to 16 years old, and is only worn for about 2 years.
Related Article: Can Crowded Teeth Get Worse?