Dental crowding, or overcrowding, is a condition characterized by crowded teeth. When there isn’t enough space in the mouth for the permanent teeth to grow straight, this happens. Your cosmetic dentist in west palm beach may suggest that dental braces, clear aligners, and retainers for treating crowded teeth.
What Is Dental Crowding, and How Does It Affect You?
Causes of Crowded Teeth
Those who suffer malocclusion, which is when the teeth are misaligned, have crooked, crowded, and overlapped teeth. This overcrowding can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the size of the patient’s jaw and the number of teeth they have:
- Mild Dental Crowding
Mild crowding occurs when one of the upper or lower jaw’s anterior teeth is slightly rotated.
- Moderate Dental Crowding
Moderate crowding occurs when two to three anterior teeth in the upper or lower jaw overlap.
- Severe Dental Crowding
Severe Crowding occurs when the majority of the upper or lower jaw’s anterior teeth overlap.
Crowded teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
- When you lose a primary tooth earlier than you should, the surrounding teeth may begin to move into the empty space.
- Baby teeth that are kept too long may prevent permanent teeth from erupting properly.
- A person’s teeth may be larger than their jaw due to genetics. This would result in teeth that twisted or overlapped.
- Another consequence of genetics is a small jaw, which causes normal-sized teeth to crowd as permanent teeth emerge.
How to Fix Crowded or Crooked Teeth?
The type of treatment available will be determined by the patient’s age and the severity of their dental crowding. However, the following are some options for potential solutions:
- Dental Braces
Dental braces are used more commonly than any other treatment method in cases of overcrowding. This is particularly true when it comes to children. Braces are used for two different reasons. The first is to improve one’s appearance, such as teeth straightening. The second reason is for functional reasons, such as jaw realignment.
Lingual, clear, and metal braces are among the many kinds offered. Patients visit their orthodontists once a month or twice a month until their braces are removed, which can take anywhere from 18 months to several years.
- Clear Aligners
Clear aligners can be used to correct crowded teeth and other misalignment issues. They’re comparable to braces in terms of cost, but they’re significantly less apparent.
This treatment approach employs removable aligners that are updated every two weeks. Patients can rectify minor misalignment by wearing them for 22 hours every day for 20 weeks.
- Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers can help adults with moderate cases of tooth crowding. They’re thin, tooth-colored shells that go over the front of your teeth to improve their appearance.
Your cosmetic dentist will bond the shells to your teeth to customize their length, size, color, shape, and function.
- Retainers
If your teeth are only slightly crowded, fixed or removable retainers may be sufficient to rectify the problem. They are not recommended for moderate or severe cases because they will not completely straighten them.
Looking for the Best Cosmetic Dentist in West Palm Beach?
Cleaning between your teeth will be considerably easier once you’ve dealt with your crowded teeth. To learn more about your options, schedule a consultation with PGA Dentistry.