As your trusted local cosmetic dental office, Frederick Center for Dentistry is happy to provide solutions for crooked teeth. By fixing your mild to moderate orthodontic concerns, you are investing in the appearance of your smile and your dental health. Many patients visit our office looking for cosmetic solutions to straighten their crooked and misaligned teeth. Teeth that are out of alignment cause more than just cosmetic concerns but also affect the overall function and health of your mouth.
Patients with crooked teeth are more at risk for gum disease development and dental damage. Your teeth work together when performing daily tasks such as chewing or speaking. Crooked teeth and alignment issues make it harder for your mouth to function properly, and lead to new issues. Fixing misaligned or crooked teeth actually helps prevent many problems from occurring.
Treatment for Crooked Teeth in Frederick, MD
Frederick Center for Dentistry offers solutions to treat crooked teeth at our Frederick dental practice. The most popular treatment is Invisalign. However, there are many ways to align teeth that do not involve orthodontic treatment. Dr. Goyal will evaluate your oral health and recommend only the best treatment options for you.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment that does not involve wearing metal braces. This clear aligner treatment is appropriate for mile to moderate cases of crooked teeth. It uses a series of clear aligners that are custom made to fit perfectly on your teeth. Over time, they will slowly shift your teeth into proper alignment.
Young teen patients suffering from crooked teeth benefit the most. They are clear, discreet, and can you can remove them to eat, brush your teeth, and floss. To learn more about the Invisalign process, see Invisalign.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are a great permanent option to hide a single misaligned tooth or two. Porcelain veneers are thin shells that our dentist bonds to the front surface of your teeth to hide imperfections. They consist of porcelain because it matches the sheen and appearance of your natural teeth.
Dr. Goyal will custom make them from impressions of your teeth, and can apply them in one visit. To learn more about the porcelain veneer process, see Porcelain veneers.
Dental Bonding
Just like porcelain veneers, dental bonding can correct a few crooked teeth that aren’t causing health issues. Consisting of a composite resin compound, dental bonding is more affordable than veneers. Although it’s not as permanent. To learn about this tooth-colored treatment, see Teeth bonding.
Dental Crowns
Sometimes dental crowns can fix teeth alignment. This is a suitable treatment when there are other issues present, such as tooth damage. A dental crown is like a cap that will completely encase the tooth to the gum line.
We will custom make the crown to resemble a natural tooth and so it blends in perfectly with your surrounding teeth. To learn more about the dental crown process, see Dental crown.
The Benefits of Straightening Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth are a common issue for many people, but some may wonder if it’s really necessary to straighten them. While crooked teeth can be a cosmetic concern, straightening them offers far more than an improved appearance. The benefits of aligning your teeth properly go beyond aesthetics and can impact your oral health, overall well-being, and self-esteem.
1. Improved Oral Health
Crooked teeth can make it difficult to maintain proper oral hygiene. When teeth are misaligned, they often overlap or sit too close together, creating tight spaces that are hard to clean with a toothbrush or dental floss. This can lead to the buildup of plaque and tartar, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can lead to more severe conditions such as periodontitis, which can result in tooth loss.
By straightening your teeth, you make it easier to clean them properly. Straight teeth are easier to brush and floss, reducing the chances of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Keeping your teeth straight and clean contributes to a healthier smile for years.
2. Reduced Risk of Tooth Injury
Crooked teeth can stick out or overlap, making them more vulnerable to injury. For example, if you play sports or have an accidental fall, misaligned teeth are more likely to chip, crack, or break due to their awkward positioning. Straight teeth are more evenly spaced and are less likely to experience trauma from everyday activities or accidents.
Additionally, properly aligned teeth distribute the force of your bite more evenly, which means less stress on individual teeth. This helps protect your teeth from excessive wear and damage over time.
3. Prevention of Jaw Problems
Crooked teeth can affect how your upper and lower jaws fit together, leading to bite issues. A misaligned bite, malocclusion, can cause problems like overbite, underbite, or crossbite. When your bite is off, it can strain your jaw muscles and joints, leading to discomfort or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder can cause pain in the jaw, headaches, and difficulty chewing.
Straightening your teeth helps correct your bite, reducing the risk of jaw pain and preventing future issues with your temporomandibular joint. This can also improve your comfort when eating, speaking, and resting your jaw.
4. Better Digestion
Believe it or not, crooked teeth can also affect your digestion. When your teeth are misaligned, it can be harder to chew food properly. Chewing is the first step in digestion, and if food isn’t broken down effectively, it can lead to digestive problems. Poor chewing habits can result in swallowing larger pieces of food, making it harder for your stomach to process them, which may lead to indigestion or other stomach discomforts.
By straightening your teeth, you improve your ability to chew food thoroughly. This makes eating more enjoyable and helps your body digest food more efficiently, leading to better overall health.
5. Enhanced Speech
Crooked teeth can sometimes affect your ability to speak clearly. Teeth are important in forming sounds, especially for consonants like “s” or “th.” Misaligned teeth can cause a lisp or make it difficult to pronounce words correctly, which may affect your confidence when speaking in public or social situations.
By straightening your teeth, you can improve your speech clarity and pronunciation. This can boost your confidence when communicating in professional settings, school, or everyday conversations.
6. Boosted Self-Confidence
One of the most noticeable benefits of straightening crooked teeth is its positive impact on your self-esteem. People self-conscious about their crooked teeth may avoid smiling, laughing, or speaking in social situations, which can affect their confidence. A straighter smile can make you feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance, translating to better self-esteem in personal and professional interactions.
When you’re proud of your smile, you’re more likely to show it off, and smiling more often can improve your mood and how others perceive you. A confident smile can open doors in many areas of life, from job interviews to social events.
7. Long-Term Savings on Dental Care
While the cost of straightening teeth might seem high initially, it can save you money in the long run. Crooked teeth are more likely to experience wear, damage, and decay over time. This means you might need more dental treatments, such as fillings, crowns, or even root canals, to address problems caused by misalignment.
Investing in teeth straightening treatments, such as braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, reduces the likelihood of needing these costly dental procedures in the future. Straighter teeth are easier to maintain and less prone to damage, helping you save on dental care expenses over time.
8. Improved Overall Health
Your oral health is closely linked to your overall health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, which is connected to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems. Bacteria from infected gums can enter your bloodstream, causing inflammation and increasing your risk of health issues.
By straightening your teeth, you lower your risk of gum disease and improve your oral hygiene. This can help protect your overall health and reduce the chances of developing related health problems.
9. More Comfortable Teeth Alignment Options
Advances in dental technology have made teeth straightening easier and more comfortable than ever before. Traditional braces that use metal brackets and wires are still an effective option, but many people choose clear aligners like Invisalign today. These aligners are nearly invisible, removable, and allow for more flexibility in your daily life. Invisalign and similar options make straightening teeth less intrusive and more convenient.
Straightening your teeth no longer requires a long, uncomfortable process, and the results are well worth the investment in your health and confidence.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
To learn more about crooked teeth, read through our frequently asked section. Crooked teeth are more than an aesthetic concern. They can also affect your oral health especially if they are severe. Contact our dental office if you have further questions that need answered.
Why are my teeth crooked?
Several factors can contribute to crooked or misaligned teeth issues. Most people find that their crooked teeth are the result of their genetics. Additionally, if as a child you sucked your thumb or a pacifier often, this could also result in crooked teeth. Misalignment of the jaw following facial trauma is also common, as well as orthodontic relapse.
What are the benefits of Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system of clear plastic aligners that puts pressure on your teeth and shifts them into a straighter position. Invisalign is not only completely see-through while in use, but also removable. Patients prefer Invisalign to traditional braces because they do not have to worry about the drawbacks. Traditional braces require dietary restrictions and can pose a risk to your oral hygiene.
What problems can crooked teeth cause?
Cracked teeth, jaw tension, temporomandibular joint disease, and persistent migraines can all come from crooked teeth. Crooked teeth cause excessive wear and tear on gums and jaw muscles. They may also cause difficulty speaking and enunciating certain sounds.
Are crooked teeth genetic?
Genetics may cause teeth to come in crooked. If parents have crooked teeth, it is much more likely that the child will develop them as well. Some of the most prevalent genetic factors that affect teeth are overbites, underbites, and misaligned jaws.
How common are crooked teeth?
Approximately nine out of ten people have slightly crooked teeth. 75 percent of us have wisdom teeth that do not have enough space to fully erupt. When your wisdom teeth begin to erupt and there is no space, it causes crowding and crooked teeth.
Do crooked teeth affect speech?
Crooked teeth sometimes cause problems with speech. Speaking issues can arise from a number of conditions, including overbite, gapped teeth, and crowding. Additionally, it can be difficult for people to understand you if you have slurred speech, or you speak with a lisp. In many cases, correcting crooked teeth resolves speech impediments.
Can crooked teeth change the shape of my face?
Underbite, overbite, crooked teeth, and misaligned jaws are all factors that can affect the symmetry of your face. People tend to think that faces are more attractive when they are more symmetrical. The structure of the jawbone and length of your face are both preserved by the alignment of your teeth.
Find the right treatment for your crooked teeth in Frederick, MD.
Book a consult today to learn more about our crooked teeth treatments. Call 301-264-5680 today or request an appointment online. We provide several treatments to align teeth including Invisalign, the best clear aligner orthodontic treatment.