Is It Okay to Have Crooked Teeth?
Teeth don’t have to be perfectly straight, but crooked or misaligned teeth can sometimes cause problems with eating ort speech. They may also increase your risk of oral health and general health problems and can affect a person’s appearance, self-confidence and mental health.
If your teeth aren’t straight, your dentist can help. Get in touch with our friendly team at Mosman 3D Dental to discuss your smile solutions today.
What problems can crooked teeth cause?
A straight smile is important for more than just appearance. Not all people who have crooked teeth develop problems, but a misaligned bite can have a number of consequences, including:
- Affecting your ability to eat and speak correctly, which can lead to digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies
- Making it harder to brush and floss your teeth and trapping bacteria, which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease
- Putting other teeth under uneven pressure, which can cause excessive wear and damage and may lead to teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Increasing pressure on the jaw joints, which can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, headaches and other pains
- Affecting a person’s self-esteem and participation in work, education and social life
A 2022 study found that people of all ages considered a well-balanced smile to be more youthful and attractive and that it could improve a person’s chance of succeeding at a job interview.
How can I fix crooked teeth?
Dentists offer a number of treatments to straighten teeth, depending on how crooked they are and your preferences. Your dentist might recommend long-term orthodontic treatment using braces or aligners or you could be suitable for a quick cosmetic treatment such as veneers to treat minor misalignment.
- Braces: Modern braces are more discreet than those of the past, including options such as tooth-coloured ceramic braces and lingual braces that attach to the back of the teeth.
- Clear aligners: Removable aligners such as Invisalign® clear aligners can feel more comfortable than fixed braces, as well as being almost invisible on the teeth.
- Crowns: Dental crowns can be placed over individual teeth to restore or alter their size or shape.
- Dental veneers: Porcelain and composite veneers cover the visible surfaces of teeth and can correct minor misalignment.
Crooked teeth FAQ
What are crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth (known as ‘malocclusion’) are teeth that don’t line up or touch together in the mouth. There are many types of malocclusion, including overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite.
What causes crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth tend to run in the family, but they can also be caused by actions such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, oral health problems such as gum disease, or injuries knocking a tooth out of alignment. Teeth can also shift position if you lose a neighbouring tooth.
Teeth straightening in Mosman
If you’re not satisfied with your smile, schedule a consultation with our experienced dentists at Mosman 3D Dental to examine your mouth and discuss your options for teeth straightening. Call us today on (02) 9969 8610 or book online.
References
Gasparello GG, Júnior SLM, Hartmann GC, Meira TM, Camargo ES, Pithon MM, Tanaka O. The influence of malocclusion on social aspects in adults: study via eye tracking technology and questionnaire. Prog Orthod. 2022 Jan 24;23(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s40510-022-00399-3. PMID: 35067765; PMCID: PMC8784583.