Do I need to fix crooked teeth?

Not all people are bothered by having some crooked teeth in their smiles. However, crooked teeth are more than just an issue of looks. The Doylestown, PA dentists of Tyma Trachtenberg Bullock & Blessington explain why it’s crucial to take care of crooked teeth and how they can help you do so. 

THE PROBLEMS WITH CROOKED TEETH

First, crooked teeth can impact your self-esteem and make you want to hide your smile. Not all people have an issue with their crooked smile. However, it may impact the social lives of others. Instead of laughing freely when you’re out having fun with friends, you may be more worried about trying to hide your smile.

In addition, crooked teeth are often crowded and pushed together tightly, at odd angles. This makes them much harder to clean. Your toothbrush and floss may not be able to get in between some of these gaps. Bacteria and food particles then get trapped in there and cause tooth decay. If left untreated, it can become a dental cavity, infect the interior pulp, or spread enough that it requires tooth extraction.

With crooked teeth, you usually have a misaligned bite. A variety of problems can occur if your bite isn’t aligned properly. The wear and tear on your teeth can become uneven and may wear down faster than normal. You’re more prone to clenching and grinding your teeth as well. This can lead to damaged teeth or problems with TMJ disorders.

Lastly, when you have crooked teeth, your gums aren’t as flush with the bone as they could be. This can cause small pockets where bacteria can get in. You may notice bleeding gums, bad breath, and your gums pulling away from your teeth more and more. These are all signs that you have gum disease. If caught early enough, periodontal therapy like scaling and root planing may be enough to take care of it.

TREATING CROOKED TEETH

The main option we offer for correcting crooked teeth is the Smart Moves clear aligners system. Using dental impressions, custom aligners will be made to gradually straighten your smile. The number you’ll have to use will depend on the seriousness of your misalignment. You’ll change your aligner around every two weeks to slowly move your teeth into place. Smart Moves aligners can treat mild to moderately crooked teeth and bite problems.

If you have very minor crooked teeth and don’t want to deal with the aligners system, porcelain veneers are also an option. They’re thin shells of dental ceramic that cover the front and sides of your teeth. These can be used to hide the crooked teeth that make you insecure. If your crooked teeth cause large gaps between certain teeth, veneers can also be shaped to cover those. They’re color-matched to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

FIXING CROOKED TEETH WITH YOUR DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA DENTISTS

Crooked teeth can play a big part in the state of your oral health. Call us or schedule an appointment online.