Cumberland Dental - Laser & Cosmetic, Cumberland Park, Adelaide, SA » Orthodontics » Crooked Teeth

Crooked Teeth

What are Crooked Teeth?

In dentistry, the term “occlusion” means the contact between the upper and lower teeth. Malocclusion is the bad contact between the upper and lower teeth. Crooked teeth in baby teeth is common. About ninety percent of school-aged children have crooked teeth to some degree.

Types of Crooked Teeth

Teeth can become crooked with certain types of malocclusion, these can include:

Crowding: The teeth are placed close together and overlap each other. Crowding occurs when the teeth are larger or if the jaw is smaller.
Spacing: There are large and uneven spaces between the teeth. Spacing is caused by missing teeth, smaller teeth or smaller jaw.
Rotation: Rotation is when the tooth turns out of its position.
Transposition: This is when teeth erupt in one another’s place.

Causes of Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth can be caused by a number of factors including:

Oral habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or prolonged use of bottle. These habits cause frequent pressure on teeth and may slowly move the teeth out of place
Genetic development where there is either too much or too little space in the jaw
Extra teeth, lost teeth or abnormally shaped teeth
Poor dental maintenance and dental caries or periapical infection leading to tooth loss which can alter the permanent teeth eruptions
Irregular jaw size and shape
Premature loss of teeth
A severe injury which leads to misalignment of jaws

Signs and symptoms of Crooked Teeth

The signs and symptoms of crooked teeth include:

Poor cosmetic appearance
Problems with eating or speaking
Slurring speech – trouble saying certain words
Permanent teeth coming in wrong position
Difficulty in brushing

Diagnosis of Crooked Teeth

A dentist usually checks for malocclusion in children during regular dental visits. Diagnosis is based on the following:

An oral examination, which is done to determine the placement of teeth, growth asymmetries between teeth and jaws, and contact between the upper and lower teeth
History of any oral habits
X-ray of face and teeth
Photographs of mouth and face to evaluate your profile.
Teeth impressions which are used to create models of your teeth and mouth for effective treatment planning.

What if Crooked Teeth remain Untreated?

If left untreated, crooked teeth can cause problems with your child’s

Bite development
Gums and supporting tissue
Jaw joint complications,
Speech development
Facial appearance and smile

For adults, additional problems beyond those listed for children can include;

Serious Jaw Bone alignment (TMJ)
An uneven smile and loss of self confidence
Bad breath

Treatment Options for Crooked Teeth

The aim of treatment during either childhood and later years is to move permanent teeth into correct position. Malocclusion is treated by managing the growth and correction of dental and facial structures. There are several common orthodontic treatments that include the following:

Removable Appliances: Here retainers made of plastic and wires are used. These appliances can be inserted and removed by the child.
Braces: These are appliances that correct dental irregularities and are commonly used in the treatment of malocclusion. These apply constant gentle force to slowly change the position of teeth, straighten them and properly align them with the opposing teeth. The different types of braces include:
- Metal Braces - "traditional braces"
- Self-ligating Braces - "no rubber bands"
- Ceramic Braces -"clear braces"
- Lingual Braces - "invisible braces"
- Clear Braces - “6 months smiles”
- Invisalign
Jaw surgery: In some cases, the child may need jaw surgery to correct the bite problem when the bones of the jaw are involved in the malocclusion problem.
Teeth Extraction: Removal of some baby teeth to help in severe crowding.