Misaligned Teeth – Causes And Treatment Options

CLINICAL CONTENT WRITTEN & REVIEWED BY CLOVE CLINICAL TEAM

Last Modified: August 22, 2022

FACT CHECKED

In today’s world, crooked teeth are a common condition among people. It is found in many kids and adults. People having misaligned teeth should not feel unhappy and should think about straightening them. The imperfectly aligned teeth are unique and add charm and personality to the smile.

Although if you are unhappy with your aligned teeth look, you may visit the dentist who can help with crooked teeth treatment. In some cases, the imperfect teeth alignment causes speech problems, health issues, etc. Therefore, such people need to make their teeth aligned.

Causes of the Misaligned Teeth

The permanent teeth and baby teeth both can grow misaligned or can become misaligned. In some cases, the baby teeth become misaligned because they don’t get enough gum space to get fit into. Some other reasons also include genetics and heredity issues.

Mentioned below are some of the major causes of misaligned teeth.

Size of jaw

Nowadays, almost all people opt for a modern diet which usually contains more processed and soft food. These foods need less chewing than the foods eaten by our ancestors. The change in the food cycle is responsible for altering the overall size of the jaw. It has made the jaws smaller. Some dentists believe that the jaw has evolved and become shorter, which is one of the reasons behind the misaligned, crowded, or crooked teeth.

Misaligned jaw or malocclusion

Our mouth is designed so that the upper teeth fit slightly over the lower ones. The grooves of the lower molars let the upper molars get fit into them. If this alignment doesn’t establish, it results in malocclusion. Underbite and overbite are involved in common teeth misalignments. If you have a poor myofunctional habit, it can also lead to a malocclusion issue.

Poor myofunctional practice

The repetitive behaviours performed by people are known as myofunctional habits. It affects the functions of the muscles of the face or mouth. It covers the following:

Pacifier or bottle use
Mouth breathing
Thumb sucking
Tongue thrusting

Poor nutrition and poor oral care

Poor nutrition leads to tooth decay, inadequate teeth development and misaligned teeth. It occurs specifically in kids who do not consume enough good nutritional diets.

The dentist recommends having an annual oral checkup for everyone. People who do not visit the dentist at least once a year can develop multiple problems in their mouth without even knowing it. Several issues can be generated with the mouth, which can end up resulting in cavities, gum problems, and so on. These issues might be responsible for the misaligned teeth in many people.

Crooked Teeth Treatment

The crooked teeth can be treated either in orthodontic or surgical ways. One of the best options available for all people to get their crooked teeth treated is braces. It is widely present for all people according to their issues.

It can take two to three years, according to the braces and the associated problems. Another best option is teeth-straightening surgery. It usually takes less time to gain results. Below are some of the types of braces and teeth surgery used in crooked teeth treatment.

Metal braces

The metal braces are permanently attached to the teeth with the help of bands, flexible wire, and brackets. People facing more complex teeth alignment problems can opt for metal braces. In some cases, headgear is also needed rather than fixed braces. It is worn at night. The metal braces used in present times are more comfortable and have smaller brackets and metal parts.

Invisible braces

The invisible braces are almost invisible and are recommended for teens and adults. It is made so that it fits over all the teeth, similar to a mouthguard. They are removed and replaced twice a month.

Lingual braces

The surface present at the sides of the teeth, which faces the tongue, is the lingual surface. Lingual braces are invisible braces that are quite similar to metal ones. But they are not attached to the back sides of the teeth. It is not recommended to everyone. The dentist does not recommend it for crooked or severely misaligned teeth. It usually takes longer to work and harder to clean.

Ceramic braces

It is a clear or tooth-coloured brace. The ceramic braces and their archwires are less noticeable than the metal brackets. The teeth straightening procedure of ceramic braces are similar to metal braces. However, these braces can break easily in combination with the others and are more prone to stains.

Teeth-straightening surgery

It is one of the best ways for crooked teeth treatment. It takes less time to get the desired results. The orthodontist usually recommends minor surgery for the gums and bones so that the teeth can get back in their correct position. It is done mostly in people whose teeth affect their chewing or speech ability.

The Bottom Line

One of the most common problems people face around the globe is crooked teeth. It can be experienced by adults, teens, and kids. Crooked teeth treatment is not necessary until they start causing health issues or some other issues. The treatment of crooked teeth is a personal choice. Explore the website to know more or visit a dentist at a dental clinic near you.