Adult Orthodontic Treatment Options for Crowded and Misaligned Teeth
Crowded, misaligned, and crooked teeth are quite common in kids, adults, and old people. The common signs of crowding in the upper row are the front tooth or teeth sitting high and pointed outwards. Overlapped front teeth in the lower jaw are very common. When neglected, teeth crowding can worsen as you age. Teeth misalignments can ruin your smile and result in some oral and overall health issues in the long run. This makes it important to visit an orthodontist to get the right treatment.
Correcting your crowded teeth is important to keep your mouth healthy. You need proper treatment to have straighter teeth, a better bite, healthier gums and teeth, as well as a more attractive smile. If you visit a general dentist, you may be referred to an orthodontist. They will guide you in choosing the right treatment based on your unique situation and needs.
Issues that Come with Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth make it difficult to clean your teeth since you cannot properly remove all of the plaque on and between your teeth. Consequently, you will have an increased risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and gingivitis. Also, it can make you feel self-conscious about your look and impact your self-esteem.
Moreover, misaligned or crooked teeth may impact your ability to articulate sound, therefore, causing speech issues. Also, incorrectly aligned teeth can put additional pressure on teeth, jaw muscles, and gums that result in excessive wear and tear. This is likely to lead to jaw strain, cracked teeth, chronic headaches, or even temporomandibular joint disorder.
Kinds of Orthodontic Correction for Overcrowded Teeth
There are several adult ortho treatments available for teeth straightening and fixing crooked and misaligned teeth. The right treatment depends on your specific dental issue, your preference, and your budget. The following are your options if you want to have your overcrowded teeth corrected:
- Dental brace. Traditional braces are used for straightening crowded, protruded, and misaligned teeth. They are composed of brackets and arch-wires placed across the teeth, with elastic ties for securing them. You can narrow your options down to metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign. Although Invisalign braces are expensive, they are quite convenient, easy to use, and comfortable.
- They can be fixed or removed. They are more affordable than braces and require fewer dentist visits.
- Veneers can easily fix teeth that are less crooked or crowded. They are composite or porcelain covers applied on the front surface of your teeth.
- This includes tooth restricting, which will be followed by fitting a porcelain or metal crown over the teeth’s top. It requires removing a healthy tooth.