Crooked Teeth: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Malocclusion, Overbite, Underbite

A very common problem that occurs within people is the problem of crooked teeth, where the alignment of the teeth is not correct. Teeth may be badly positioned, overcrowded or there may be presence of gaps between the teeth. All such conditions hamper the looks of people, as well as it doesn’t allow the people to brush or floss efficiently and chew the food properly while eating. Due to improper alignment of teeth, the jaws and gums can be severely injured and therefore it is strongly recommended to correct the alignment of the teeth if they are improper. This problem mainly occurs when the permanent set of teeth start emerging, or approximately from 6 years of age.

This problem can be solved by visiting and orthodontist who can give the patient a number of options to cure this problem. For minor problems like fixing gap within teeth or fixing a single crooked tooth can be solved by using retainers. Usage of porcelain veneers is an option which can cover up the problem of crooked teeth rather than correcting them. The most common method of correcting crooked teeth is the usage of braces. Braces not only correct the crooked teeth but are also efficient to correct overbites, under bites and cross bites.

Critical under bites can be corrected by wearing jaw expanders. sometimes, surgery is performed for extremely critical conditions of crooked tooth

Usage of retainers is quite easy and is even inexpensive too. The orthodontist makes a mould of the mouth of the patient with a thick substance known as alginate. The retainer is made from the very same mould and placed within the mouth, which re-positions the tooth that is mildly out of position that is creating slight overcrowding at one particular place inside the mouth.

The usage of porcelain veneers are generally for covering up the problem rather than curing it. The job of a porcelain veneer is to improve the appearance of the crooked or uneven teeth, mostly used in the case of gaps within the teeth or mild overcrowding of the teeth. The doctor removes a part of the enamel, and the veneer is set within the mouth.

A jaw expander increases the size of the upper jaw so that the bottom teeth of the patient do not overlap with the teeth of the upper jaw any longer.

Surgery is the ultimate option of the most critical case of crooked teeth. Surgery is rarely performed to treat crooked teeth, but may be the only affective way out for certain patients. Surgery decreases the length of the lower jaw thus reducing the under bite.

The most effective and user friendly way of correcting crooked teeth is insertion of braces. They are the most common option in this matter that can cure all types of crookedness and the related problems. There are visible braces that are brackets attached to the front of the teeth and connected by metal wires. Brackets can be made out of metal, ceramic or plastic and regarded best for severe problems.

Nearly visible braces are plastic tray-like structures that are fit over the teeth, mainly made out of Invisalign. These braces can be worn as well as taken out of the mouth whenever required. There are invisible braces shaped in the form of brackets that are fit behind the teeth. The brackets are customised to the teeth so that they work faster.

The problem of crooked teeth can occur to anyone, mainly if the permanent teeth come out in an uneven manner after the milk teeth start falling. So there is no particular age barrier for taking the treatment of crooked teeth. Any person facing this problem is eligible to undergo such treatment.