What Causes Crowding Teeth?
Crowding teeth refers to the misalignment of teeth, caused by not enough space for teeth in your jaw. Crowding can affect just one tooth or multiple teeth. Without treatment, crowded teeth can lead to dental hygiene issues and long-term health complications, as well as aesthetic concerns about your smile.
Crowded teeth occur when permanent teeth do not erupt correctly. Teeth may erupt at improper angles or in overlapping positions. Crowded teeth can also result from an improper bite, which can cause changes in speech.
Such conditions are usually hereditary, as genetics has a major role in the size of your jaw and the shape of your teeth. Additional factors, such as early loss of baby teeth, thumb-sucking as a child, or babies and toddlers using a pacifier too long, can interfere with proper dental development. Spacing issues can also result in cases where permanent teeth erupt before the development of the jaw is complete.
Crowded teeth create tight spaces that are difficult to clean, making you more likely to have buildup of harmful plaque and tartar. Even with daily brushing and flossing, food particles and bacteria can remain trapped between your teeth, leading to cavities and gum inflammation.
Additionally, misaligned teeth are more likely to wear abnormally, and a crowded bite can result in long-term damage to supporting bone and soft tissue in your mouth and jaw.
How Do I Know if I Have Crowded Teeth?
You may not notice your teeth are crowded, especially if your issue is minor. However, crowding teeth will likely become more noticeable over time due to facial irregularities around your mouth, discomfort while chewing, or problems with your bite. Symptoms vary, including problems biting or chewing, soreness or a feeling of tightness in your jaw, or even difficulty flossing.
Severe crowding of teeth results when the size and number of teeth exceed the space available in your jaw. You may have overly large teeth, extra teeth, overlapping teeth, or teeth growing at extreme angles, or impacted teeth (a tooth that has not erupted normally into the mouth and remains partially or completely covered by gum tissue or bone).
What are the Best Treatment Options for Crowding Teeth?
Consult with your dentist for referral to an orthodontist, a specialist who can diagnose the severity of your issue. The orthodontist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health using X-rays and bite analysis to identify a possible cause of your crowded teeth and provide you with a personalized treatment plan to restore proper alignment and function of your teeth.
Orthodontists use a range of tools to treat crowded teeth, from traditional braces to aligner systems. Braces—both metal and ceramic—are the best solution for most people. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, provide a less visible alternative if you choose.
Treatments are designed to apply gradual, controlled pressure to shift teeth into proper positions. Depending on your case, additional devices such as expanders or retainers may be used to enhance results.
Prompt Treatment is the Best Course of Action
Diagnosing crowding teeth early on will allow for appropriate intervention and could prevent the need for more invasive treatment. Left untreated, crowded teeth can cause significant oral health issues, including chronic bad breath, gum disease, and enamel erosion. In severe cases, crowded teeth can contribute to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and speech difficulties.
Your orthodontist will create a treatment plan based on your unique needs and financial considerations. The duration of your treatment will generally range from 12 to 30 months and will vary based on the severity of your crowding issue.