The goal of treating teeth crowding is to create sufficient space in the mouth to allow the teeth to be straightened into a better position and better bite alignment while providing improvements in the oral health of the individual․ The method of treatment will depend on the amount of crowding‚ your age, and level of oral health․
One of the most common treatments for crowding is orthodontic treatment‚ which is usually most effectively completed using braces․ The braces use brackets and wires to apply constant gentle pressure to the teeth․ This pressure will move the teeth into their desired positions‚ eventually creating the room necessary for adequate spacing and alignment․ Braces are regularly recommended for correcting moderate to severe crowding‚ as well as for multiple tooth movement․
Clear aligners‚ a more subtle approach to teeth straightening than braces‚ are custom-made flexible trays that fit over the teeth and are replaced at regular intervals․ Clear aligners are most often used to treat mild to moderate cases of crowding․ Their nearly invisible appearance has made them popular with adult patients․ Aligners are removable for eating‚ drinking‚ and tooth brushing․
In other circumstances‚ creating space for teeth is accomplished by removing teeth․ If there is not sufficient room for all of your teeth to fit in your mouth‚ your dentist may recommend extractions of one or more teeth․ In more extreme cases of crowding‚ teeth may be removed to create space in the mouth‚ allowing the remaining teeth to shift into a more natural position․ This seems extreme‚ but is only used when the results bring good balance and functionality․
Another method is dental arch expansion, but this is more often effective in a younger population where the jaws are still growing․ When the upper jaw is expanded with an expansion device‚ the teeth can be more easily aligned․ However‚ early intervention may lead to decreased need for treatment later and a more natural outcome․
In cases of mild crowding‚ teeth can be reshaped by enamel contouring․ This procedure shaves away a tiny amount of enamel‚ which may allow crowded teeth to fit into the arch․ It may help to correct teeth alignment in some cases without needing wide-ranging orthodontic work‚ but only in cases where small adjustments are needed․
Retention of the teeth in their new positions is an important part of treatment as well․ This often involves making use of a retainer․ Because teeth can shift back to their previous positions over the years‚ it is important to wear your retainer as instructed in order to keep your teeth straight․
Timing does have an influence on outcome․ Treating crowding while the jaw is still growing and developing is less complicated in younger patients‚ but effective treatment is possible at all ages‚ and many adults have benefited from contemporary methods of orthodontic treatment, which are not as disruptive to their day-to-day lives as older treatments.
If you have more questions about crowded teeth or how they could affect your dental health, make an appointment with the dentist to see if addressing your crowded teeth is the best treatment plan for you.
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