Written By: Dr. Nadia Rivera
Overcrowded teeth, also called crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or dental crowding, refer to a condition where your teeth are twisted, misaligned, displaced, or improperly positioned. As the name suggests, having overcrowded teeth means that adequate space for all the teeth is not available in the jaw. Apart from being a cosmetic problem, overcrowded teeth can also affect your speech and increase your risk of gum disease.
Causes of Overcrowded Teeth
The most common causes of overcrowded teeth include:
- The jaw is too small to accommodate the teeth
- The teeth are too large to fit into the jaw
- There are too many extra teeth to fit comfortably into the jaw
- Overcrowded teeth can be caused by genetic as well as environmental factors.
- A combination of one or more of the aforementioned factors
Genetic Factors and Overcrowded Teeth
The shape and size of your jaw is primarily determined by your genes. Disorders caused by genetic mutations can lead to orthodontic abnormalities that can result in overcrowded teeth.
For example, Marfan Syndrome is a disorder which is characterized by the mutation in the fibrillin gene. People who suffer from this disorder tend to have narrow jawbones, which can cause overcrowded teeth.
Similarly, Crouzon’s Syndrome and Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis are two other conditions that can cause orthodontic abnormalities, which in turn can lead to the formation of overcrowded teeth.
Environmental Factors and Overcrowded Teeth
Thumb sucking and prolonged pacifier use can increase the risk of overcrowded teeth and other dental problems in children. Premature loss of baby teeth can also increase the risk of overcrowded teeth in young children. If the tooth loss occurs too early, the permanent teeth might not be ready to grow in. As a result, they might move around in the available space, which can affect their alignment and position.
Potential Complications Resulting from Overcrowded Teeth
- Overcrowded teeth can make it harder for you to brush and floss, which can lead to plaque buildup and cavities. As a result, you might be at risk of developing periodontal disease.
- Overcrowded teeth tend to wear out faster than normal teeth, which can increase the risk of cavities, abscess teeth, and tooth loss.
- Overcrowded teeth can make it harder for you to pronounce certain words and lead to speech problems.
- Overcrowded teeth can affect your self esteem and self confidence and adversely impact your mental health. Research shows that people with overcrowded teeth tend to be insecure about their appearance and feel anxious in social settings.
Invisalign – A Safe and Proven Treatment for Overcrowded Teeth
The traditional treatment for overcrowded teeth involves wearing metal braces for a period of time – which can be anywhere from six months to three years or even longer.
The problem with braces is that they can be uncomfortable to wear and they might not look aesthetically appealing. As a result, you might feel self conscious about the way you look. Moreover, braces can make it harder for you to brush and floss your teeth and make it difficult for you to eat certain food items.
The good news is that a perfectly safe and effective alternative to traditional braces is available in the form of Invisalign. Invisalign, an abbreviated form of invisible aligners, is a teeth-straightening procedure that involves the use of customized 3D printed trays.
In this treatment, a 3D model of your mouth is used to create a set of aligners that are custom-made to fit the contours of your teeth perfectly. Each aligner is designed to place consistent pressure on your teeth and gradually realign their position.
You need to wear each aligner for a period of one week (or longer, depending on the severity of your condition) before moving on to the next one. You need to wear them for 22 hours a day in order to get the best results. The treatment can last anywhere from one to three years.
Advantages of Invisalign Over Traditional Braces
- Invisalign, true to its name, is practically invisible in the mouth. You can talk and smile with confidence without having to worry about other people commenting on your braces.
- The aligners are easy to wear and easy to remove. You can take them off when you eat, brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, and then put them back on without any difficulty whatsoever.
- The aligners are far more comfortable to wear compared to traditional braces. Traditional metal braces can scrape your mouth tissue and cause soreness and pain. Invisalign, on the other hand, is custom designed to fit your mouth perfectly. However long you wear them, you will not feel any sense of discomfort, soreness, or pain.
- With Invisalign, you are not required to visit the dentist for making constant adjustments. This is not the case with metal braces, as you have to visit the dentist to tighten the wires or rubber bands. As you move from one phase to another, you can change your aligners by yourself.
- Invisalign can fix a number of dental issues including overcrowded teeth, crossbite, open bite, overbite, underbite, and gap teeth.
- Invisalign can be safely worn by children, teenagers, and adults.
- Even if you are someone who has worn braces before or currently wearing braces, you can make the switch to Invisalign for better results.
It should be noted that some people might be required to wear retainers at the end of their Invisalign treatment. The need for retainer use depends on the severity of your condition and a number of other factors. A qualified Plainview dentist can assess your needs and decide whether you need retainers or not.
Choose Proven and Reliable Invisalign Treatment at R+R Dental in Plainview, NY
Overcrowded teeth can be problematic in more ways than you can imagine. At R+R Dental, we provide a wide array of treatments for overcrowded teeth – including Invisalign.
Top dentists Dr. Michael Richer and Dr. Nadia Rivera have decades of combined experience in treating overcrowded teeth and a number of other dental problems and can help you get the results you want. We can assess your condition, determine whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign, and create a customized treatment plan for you. To find out more about Invisalign and other treatments available for overcrowded teeth in Plainview, NY, call us today at (516) 874-7834 or get in touch with us online by filling out our contact form.
