Are your crooked teeth causing you social anxiety? Looking for a quick solution to straighten teeth?
Consumer surveys show that people with straight teeth are 38 percent more likely to be perceived as smart. A pretty smile with straight teeth will leave a positive visual impression on other people. However, straight teeth are not just necessary for aesthetic purposes. They can also pose an oral health risk.
Crooked teeth are harder to care for. Plaque builds up more easily because it’s more difficult to floss and brush misaligned teeth. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. When you’re more likely to have these issues, you’re also more likely to experience tooth loss.
These problems can compound and cause your oral health to spiral. Straightening crooked teeth helps to reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop further oral health problems.
In addition, crooked teeth can create stress in the mouth and jaw joints, leading to or worsening temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This is because your teeth aren’t coming together in the way they should be.
When your smile is aligned properly, the pressure and stress when you bite down are evenly distributed throughout the teeth.
A misaligned smile can put excess pressure on some areas compared to others. In addition to causing pain and TMJ issues, you may also experience broken or cracked teeth because they’re taking on more pressure than they can support.
Options for Straightening Crooked Teeth
Fixing crooked teeth will not only vastly improve your appearance but make a significant improvement on how you bite, chew, speak, and clean your teeth. Because many adults don’t want to wear braces, we offer options for fixing crooked teeth without braces. There are many treatment options for crooked teeth that are more subtle and work to get the look that you want:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of color-matched dental porcelain that cover the front and sides of your teeth. They’re considered a permanent dental restoration, fixing the crooked teeth for years to come. Porcelain veneers are custom-made to make sure that you have a beautiful, natural-looking smile when the restoration is finished. Learn more about porcelain veneers.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a “cap” that covers the tooth. Crowns can be made of many materials, and porcelain crowns give a natural look and feel to the tooth. We are usually able to apply a dental crown in one quick visit.
Crowns are ideal because they completely cover the tooth, ensuring that it’s hidden from sight. With both dental crowns and porcelain veneers, you don’t have any added maintenance to take care of the restorations. Simply brush and floss like you normally would! Learn more about dental crowns.
Dental Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is the easiest and least expensive way to fix crooked teeth. Because the composite resin used is malleable, bonding is able to close spaces between teeth, make teeth look longer, or change the shape or color of the teeth.
The dentist will abrade the existing teeth, lightly coat them with an adhesive liquid, and apply a composite resin to repair the teeth. When you’re satisfied with the look, the resin will be cured and hardened. It’s then polished to match the natural sheen of the rest of your teeth. Learn more about dental bonding.
Straightening Teeth With Clear Aligners
The Invisalign clear aligners look similar to retainers. This clear aligner system uses a series of aligners to gradually move the teeth into proper alignment. These should be left in at all times except to eat, brush your teeth, and floss.
The aligners are custom-made to fit seamlessly in your mouth. Each week or two, you will wear a new set. Invisalign offers many benefits over traditional metal braces, including:
- Removable trays allow you to eat otherwise restricted foods (popcorn, etc)
- Improved hygiene, can floss and brush normally
- No metal parts involved
- More comfortable because they are thin and sit right on the teeth
- Less noticeable
- No risk of staining the tooth enamel
- Will protect the teeth if you grind your teeth
- No risk of cuts to the soft tissues in your mouth
Crooked Teeth FAQs
What happens if you don’t fix crooked teeth?
If you do not correct crooked teeth, it can result in gum disease, tooth decay, and breakage. It is common for patients with crooked teeth to have low confidence levels. Orthodontics can help correct crooked teeth.
Are crooked teeth genetic?
Genetic predisposition can be the cause of crooked teeth; however, there are a variety of factors that play into tooth alignment. The size of a patient’s jaw and overall lifestyle habits can also affect tooth alignment.
What to do if you have crooked teeth?
Patients with crooked teeth have a variety of options to choose from to straighten them. Traditional braces, Invisalign, retainers, dental veneers, and dental crowns are the most common methods for correcting crooked teeth.
Do crooked teeth get worse with time?
It’s important to know that a problem with your teeth’s positioning will never go away without treatment, and it is likely that your teeth’s positioning will get worse over time. As soon as you notice any signs of tooth mispositioning or shifting, you should see a dentist or orthodontist. Call our offices today if you are concerned about your tooth alignment!
How long does it take for crooked teeth to straighten?
Teeth straightening can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the severity of the patient’s teeth alignment, the type of treatment used, and how the patient responds to treatment. Some patients’ teeth take well to treatment and begin to shift into place quickly, while others take a few months to begin to shift.
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 one’s jawbone are supported by teeth, so any misalignment may affect this.
Do braces change your voice?
Your voice will have a different sound if you alter the shape of your mouth and tooth alignment. Long-term braces that completely reshape your jaw may result in a distinct change in tone.
Can crooked teeth cause headaches?
Tooth misalignment can lead to a variety of problems, including throbbing headaches and migraines.
Schedule a Worry-free Consultation
Levesque Dentistry offers many solutions for straightening crooked teeth, though we know there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Fortunately, Dr. Vogel and Dr. Levesque can determine the best treatment for your unique smile with a comprehensive oral examination. Request a dental exam online, or call us at (802) 424-8517 to request one today.