Crooked teeth, spacing and gaps between the teeth can dramatically effect the appearance of a smile and the aesthetics of the face and result in issues including underbites, overbites and misaligned bites. For some people, correcting crooked teeth occurs in their teenage years with the provision of orthodontic treatment, braces and headgear. For many adults who didn’t receive this kind of treatment, or who’s teeth position has become unstable into adulthood, braces are often not the most desired treatment.
What causes crooked teeth?
Many factors can be at play, the size of a child’s still growing and developing mouth can cause crowding, twisting and shifting of teeth as they come through. Other factors like genetics, gum disease, health factors, injury, early loss of baby teeth and prolonged habits of thumb-sucking, bottle feeding and pacifier use can contribute to an uneven smile.Apart from braces, what treatments are available?
- Invisalign – Using a series of custom made clear plastic aligners, these almost invisible, thin mouthguard-like devices are worn over your teeth at all times except when eating, and exert specific directional pressure on teeth, causing them to move over time. The result is straighter teeth without the discomfort, inconvenience and appearance of metal braces. More about Invisalign…
- Orthodontic Veneering – In some cases, physically moving the teeth through braces, invisalign or orthodontics might not be feasible or appropriate. This may be due to limitations in the jaw bones, the bite function, the gums or the stability and strength of the teeth themselves. One option can be the use of veneers to alter the appearance of crooked teeth, and make them look straight, without actually repositioning them. More about Veneers…
