A smile is a person’s best accessory, and dental problems can cause both functional and aesthetic difficulties. One common issue is crowded teeth. An orthodontist’s examination is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment. In severe cases, dental prosthetics may be required.
Crowding: What It Is and Causes
Crowding occurs when teeth grow too close together, causing misalignment of the dental arches and improper bite anatomy. This can lead to abnormal bone development and increases the risk of gum inflammation and cavities.
Causes of Crowded Teeth
- Premature replacement of primary teeth with permanent teeth. In this case, the jaw bones may not have grown enough, leaving insufficient space for teeth to emerge.
- Harmful habits in childhood, such as thumb sucking or prolonged use of a pacifier, which can disrupt proper bite development and lead to crowding.
- Congenital bite defects that alter the size and shape of the jaw.
In adults, crowding can also occur when wisdom teeth begin to grow, pushing adjacent teeth out of alignment. Minor cases, especially in children, can often be corrected with braces, as determined by an orthodontist.
Degrees of Malocclusion
The severity of crowding varies based on its stage, the patient’s lifestyle, and oral hygiene. Orthodontists classify crowding into four levels:
- Mild: Teeth are tightly spaced but the arch shape is preserved; up to 3 mm of space is lacking for proper alignment.
- Moderate: About 3 mm of space is missing; one tooth may be misaligned while the rest of the arch maintains its form.
- Severe: 5 mm of space is lacking; the arch shape changes slightly, with at least two teeth out of position.
- Very severe: More than 5 mm of space is missing; most teeth are misaligned.
Untreated, crowding can lead not only to aesthetic issues but also to additional dental problems.
Treatment Options
Treatment may involve aligners, plates, or braces. These procedures are possible at any age. The orthodontist will assess the patient’s condition and select the appropriate method.
- Braces: May require cleaning and preliminary enamel shaping. Braces can help adults if there is enough space for alignment. After correction, a retainer is needed to maintain proper bite.
- Tooth separation: Slight enamel filing between teeth to create space, used when enamel is intact.
- Tooth extraction: Recommended if extra teeth are present or in cases of macrodontia.
For minor crowding affecting only the smile area, veneers may be an option. The orthodontist determines the best treatment during the oral examination.
