Top Reasons You Are Experiencing Dental Crowding

Are you experiencing overcrowding of teeth? It is essential to address dental crowding immediately. It can affect not only the appearance of the teeth but also your overall oral health.

The 101 on overcrowded teeth

What is overcrowding

Overcrowding of teeth is a common orthodontic problem where there is insufficient space in the mouth to accommodate all of the teeth. This can cause the teeth to become crooked, misaligned, or overlap each other.

Types of overcrowding

There are three types of teeth overcrowding:

Dental crowding – when there is not enough space in the jaw to accommodate all of the teeth.

Dental protrusion – when the upper teeth protrude forward or stick out too far in front of the lower teeth.

Dental spacing – when there is too much space between the teeth.

Degrees of overcrowding

There are different degrees of teeth overcrowding, ranging from mild to severe. Mild overcrowding is when the teeth are slightly crooked or crowded, and there is only a small amount of overlap. Moderate overcrowding is when the teeth are more crowded, and severe overcrowding is when the teeth are twisted or rotated, and there is significant overlap.

Signs you are experiencing overcrowding

Protruding or overlapping of teeth, bite problems, and pain or discomfort in the jaws are a few signs that could be caused due to overcrowding of teeth.

Reasons you may be experiencing overcrowding

There are several reasons for teeth overcrowding. A few common causes are genetics, early loss of baby teeth, small jaw, or impacted teeth. Certain habits like thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or prolonged use of pacifiers can lead to overcrowding because they affect the growth and development of the teeth and jaw.

Overcrowding solutions

It’s essential to address teeth overcrowding as it can lead to various dental problems, including difficulty in cleaning teeth, an increased risk of gum disease, and a higher chance of developing cavities.

Let’s take a look at overcrowding solutions:

Invisalign

Invisalign is one of the most common and popular orthodontic treatments that can help fix teeth overcrowding. Invisalign uses clear, removable aligners that are custom-made to fit over the teeth and gradually move them into their proper position. It is convenient to use, helps create space, and aligns teeth.

Traditional braces

Traditional braces can be an effective treatment option for severe cases of tooth overcrowding, where more tooth movement is required. Treatment with traditional braces typically takes 18-24 months. Still, the duration of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the overcrowding.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces function in the same manner as traditional braces, but they are less noticeable, as the brackets and wires are either clear or tooth-coloured. This makes them a popular choice for adults or older teens who may be self-conscious about wearing braces. Ceramic braces are amongst the orthodontic treatments suggested for moderate cases of teeth overcrowding.

Retainers

In some cases, teeth tend to shift back into their original positions after orthodontic treatment. Wearing retainers can help prevent this and keep the teeth in their new, corrected positions. Retainers can also be used to make minor adjustments to the position of the teeth. This can be helpful in cases of mild teeth overcrowding.

Here at Woodlawn Orthodontics, we specialize in orthodontic treatments for teeth overcrowding and much more. They offer customized solutions for Invisalign, traditional braces, ceramic braces, and retainers. Contact us today for your evaluation and treatment plan.