Crooked and Misaligned Teeth

Crooked teeth are usually caused by lack of space in the jaws. In some circumstances, the jaws are simply too underdeveloped and are unable to host all the teeth, resulting in poor alignments. In other cases, gum diseases cause teeth to drift in unwanted directions, causing them to appear long, gappy or twisted. Sometimes extra teeth, such as supernumerary teeth and retained baby teeth, can also result in dental crowding.

Orthodontics:

For growing children, a removable orthodontic plate can be used to develop and expand the jaws so there is enough room for all teeth to fit in.

For older children and adults, dental extractions may be necessary to create spaces for teeth alignment as part of orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces and Invisalign are routinely used to improve alignments of crooked teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry:

If the misalignments are minor in nature and only affect the front teeth, dental veneers may be considered as an alternative to orthodontics.

While largely seen as a cosmetic problem, crooked teeth, in fact, can have a significantly negative impact on the overall state of your oral health. It can potentially create a number of dental problems:

• It can inhibit proper chewing
• Cleaning teeth may become a greater challenge
• Crowding can increase your risk of cavities, gum disease and tooth decay
• It can interfere with the proper growth and development of your jaw bones
• It can contribute to airway obstructions and underdeveloped sinuses
• It can exacerbate allergies and sinus problems
• It can affect your facial appearance and speech
• It can lead to premature tooth wear

So be proactive with your oral health and make an appointment at Smithfield Dental today so we can straighten it all up for you (no pun intended).