Many people desire to correct their crooked teeth because it affects their smile. Most people desire teeth that are white, straight, and beautiful, giving them a smile to be proud of. When a person’s smile is the first thing others notice, crooked teeth can cause serious self-esteem issues. Fixing crooked teeth is one of the most common dental concerns patients have.
Dr. Derek Conover is an expert in treating crooked teeth with restorative and cosmetic dental treatments. Learn about your options below.
Why Should I Correct My Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth are not only aesthetically unattractive but also pose oral health problems. They make it difficult to brush or floss properly, which can lead to issues such as plaque build-up, which may lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
If left untreated, both can develop and progress, eventually causing tooth and bone loss. In addition, crooked teeth can create stress in the mouth and jaw joints, leading to or worsening temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). TMJ disorders can be painful and can lead to many other problems.
Invisalign
Concerned about crooked teeth, We used Invisalign aligners to straighten Amaya’s smile.
Invisalign uses a series of clear removable aligners to gradually move teeth into proper alignment. They are worn 24 hours a day except when eating, brushing, or flossing. Invisalign clear aligners offer benefits that typical braces do not, including:
- Removable aligners allow you to eat normally without restrictions
- Improved hygiene: you can floss and brush normally
- More comfortable and less noticeable than braces
Crooked Teeth Before & After
Fixing crooked teeth will vastly improve your appearance and how you bite, chew, speak, and clean your teeth. Because many adults don’t want to wear braces, Dr. Conover offers options for fixing crooked teeth without braces:
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, translucent shells that cover the teeth. They are made to look like natural teeth, are removable, and are fairly simple to adhere to. Dental veneers can hide almost any teeth imperfections, including crooked teeth.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a “cap” that covers the tooth. Crowns can be made of many materials, and porcelain crowns give the tooth a natural look and feel. You can care for dental crowns just like regular teeth with simple brushing and flossing.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is the easiest and least expensive way to fix crooked teeth. It can close spaces between teeth, make teeth look longer, or change the shape or color of the teeth. Dr. Conover will roughen the existing teeth, lightly coat them with an adhesive liquid, and apply a composite resin to repair them.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
How long does it take for crooked teeth to straighten?
Teeth straightening can take six months to two years, depending on the severity of the patient’s teeth alignment issues. We recommend wearing retainers after braces or Invisalign treatment to prevent the teeth from shifting back to their original position.
Can crooked teeth cause bone loss?
Bone loss may be caused by misaligned teeth, which result in a lack of support for the bone. When teeth are misaligned, they tend to shift, and jawbone support is lacking, which may result in bone loss.
Do crooked teeth cause cavities?
Cleaning crooked or misaligned teeth can be challenging. Tooth decay is more likely to occur if food and bacteria become trapped between the two teeth. For these reasons crooked or misaligned teeth are more likely to decay and form cavities.
Do crooked teeth affect face shape?
Many factors can affect the balance and proportion of your face, including an underbite, overbite, crooked teeth, or misaligned jaws. Teeth play an important role in supporting the jawbone and maintaining the face’s natural length.
Do crooked teeth affect speech?
Speech problems can be caused by a number of dental issues, including crowding and crooked teeth. These can make it difficult to articulate and pronounce certain sounds.
Do crooked teeth get worse with age?
The jaw bone loses density and begins to decay as you get older. As a result, the teeth may become crowded or overlap. This may cause your teeth to shift further out of place with age.
Dr. Conover is welcoming new and out-of-town patients. Call us at (215) 395-6076 to schedule a consultation to determine the best type of treatment for you.