What Causes Crowding Teeth?

Teeth crowding happens when there is not enough room for adult teeth to grow straight, so teeth will twist and bunch together, fighting for space. This is a pretty common problem, which can be a result of genetics or other factors and can be easily corrected with orthodontic treatment or even veneers. Teeth crowding can be mild to severe, but an evaluation by a licensed orthodontist can help determine the best treatment path for your particular case.

What causes crowding teeth?

Crowding teeth is most often a result of genetics, which could present as a small jaw or abnormal tooth growth. Some patients even have extra adult teeth! Children who lose baby teeth prematurely may also have crowding in their adult teeth because baby teeth pave the way for the adult teeth to come in. There are also some syndromes that cause individuals to have unusually large teeth, which, of course, could cause space problems.

Do crowding teeth need to be fixed?

It is important to have any dental crowding evaluated by your dentist and possibly an orthodontist because very crowded teeth are difficult to keep clean and healthy. When teeth are crowded, flossing can be especially difficult, and the crowding can increase plaque and bacteria, which can impact your overall health.

If you do not have crowding that causes dental problems or self-esteem concerns, you may not need to have your teeth straightened. It is common for severe dental crowding to result in difficulty chewing, issues in the temporomandibular joints, pain in the jaw, and dental decay; in which case, straightening the teeth is the best option.

The biggest concern of leaving teeth crowded is oral health. When it is hard to clean your teeth properly, you can develop periodontal disease, which can eventually lead to more severe issues and even tooth loss.

How are crowded teeth fixed?

The most common treatment for crowded teeth is orthodontic treatment. Braces, retainers, and clear aligners are all great ways to straighten teeth over a period of time. All of these treatment options work to gently and gradually shift and turn the teeth into proper alignment, but they do take a considerable amount of time, depending on the severity of your crowding. Most ortho patients are in treatment anywhere from 1 to 3 years.

If you do not want to go through orthodontic treatment, which can take a long time, you also might be a candidate for dental veneers. Veneers are typically used for cosmetic restorations, but they can also straighten and reshape a smile.

Choosing the best treatment to fix your crowding teeth is important to the success of that treatment. If you choose something that you are not really a candidate for, there’s a good chance that it will not work, and you will have to start at square one. Speak with your dentist for a referral to a trusted orthodontist for an evaluation.

Related Article: How do you Treat Teeth Crowding?