About Crooked Teeth

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learn about crooked teethYou might not even realize that your teeth are crooked until your dentist recommends orthodontic treatment. Or, your malocclusion may be significant enough that the need for braces is obvious. Either way, tooth misalignment is about more than appearance; whether slight or severe, crooked teeth have the potential to seriously affect the rest of your oral health. Fortunately, we offer a number of options for correcting nearly all degrees of malocclusion, including cosmetic options that don’t require brackets and wires. 

Different Kinds of Malocclusion

Every smile is unique, and that includes the degree to which certain dental issues affect you, such as misalignment. To determine the right treatment, your orthodontist will examine the severity of your malocclusion and diagnose its type, such as;

  • Upper protrusion, or buck teeth (upper front teeth protrude forward)
  • Overbite (upper front teeth extend too far over lower front teeth)
  • Underbite (lower front teeth extend in front of upper front teeth)
  • Misplaced midline (line between upper and lower front teeth are not aligned)
  • Crossbite (one or more teeth erupt at an angle, instead of vertically)

Different Solutions to Crooked Teeth

Braces

Orthodontic braces consist of small brackets attached to your teeth and connected by arch wires. Braces slowly move crooked teeth into straighter positions while allowing supportive bone and tissues to safely reposition themselves. For patients with serious cases of malocclusion, or young children who need interceptive treatment, conventional braces may be necessary. While they are often made from metal, we offer a choice of more discreet options, like tooth-colored brackets and invisible wires.

Aligners

Invisalign® clear aligners are frequently prescribed to older teen and adult patients who prefer not to wear bracket-and-wire braces. Invisalign is typically recommended for patients with mild to moderate malocclusion, and who are old enough for their jawbones and teeth to have fully formed. Treatment involves a series of custom-designed plastic aligners that are clear and nearly-invisible. Each aligner is worn for a couple of weeks, and then replaced with the next, continuously nudging crooked teeth into more desirable angles.