Crowded Teeth, Aligners. A case report
The patient didn’t have enough room in her upper jaw for her teeth to fit normally, her teeth bunched up, overlapped, twisted and getting pushed to the front.
Crowded teeth can make it hard to brush and floss well. Then it’s easier for plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria to build up — and down the line, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Your crowded teeth can also get worse over time.
Yes, we did invisible braces to fix her problem. This is a five-year follow-up case.
Why Fix Teeth Crowding?
Teeth crowding is not only a cosmetic problem. Crowded teeth, if left untreated, can result in many serious short-term and long-term dental health issues. Here are just a few reasons to consider treating crowded teeth before they lead to more serious problems:
- Fixing teeth alignment sooner rather than later will significantly lower the chances of needing major treatment later on.
- Aligning your teeth and supporting bones into the correct positions will increase the durability and strength of your teeth for years to come.
- Correcting crowded teeth will aid in the alignment of your jaws, making chewing more effective and reducing the likelihood of headaches and poor digestion. Tooth occlusion and jaw alignment will be more coordinated.
- Repairing crowded teeth will make dental hygiene much easier and more effective, lessening the occurrence of tooth and gum decay and cavities.
- Teeth crowding, if left untreated, can lead to an increased chance of gum disease. Crowded teeth can also cause premature wear and tooth loss from teeth rubbing against one another, and long term jaw joint damage.
- Last but not least, properly aligned teeth will give you more confidence to show off your smile!
Crowded Teeth Treatment
So, what can be done to fix teeth crowding? Treatments range from minor intervention with a removable appliance, to possibly needing months or years of treatment, or in extreme cases, removal of one or more teeth. The best treatment needed to fix your teeth crowding problem depends on how severe your crowding is and your age when starting treatment. Possible courses of treatment include:
- Braces: Braces are always an effective way to move teeth into proper alignment. Sometimes this may be combined with removing one or more teeth in order to make room for your other teeth to align. This will correct your crowding issue and give you a straight, confident smile!
- Invisalign: A popular choice when it is an option, invisalign brace systems adjust your crowded or crooked teeth to get you the smile you want while making it less obvious that you’re wearing them. Many times, no one will be able to tell that you’re wearing braces at all. This is a great choice for adults who would prefer to avoid traditional metal braces.
- Retainers: This is another popular treatment for teeth crowding. Retainers are custom-made devices, made from molds specifically to fit your mouth and its needs. They are made from wires or clear plastic, designed to hold your teeth and jaws in place to realign teeth. Retainers may be adjusted regularly by you or your orthodontic provider to adjust with your changing smile and continue the straightening process.
- Veneers: Porcelain veneers are some times used to correct crowded and crooked teeth. This is a more invasive procedure than cosmetic recontouring. It is often the fastest way to achieve a new smile and eliminate the cosmetic concerns of patients who have minor crowding and miss shape teeth.