Do you want to straighten one or more crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth can impact the alignment of the jaw joint and may contribute to tooth, jaw, and facial pain. Straightening crooked or misaligned teeth can prevent dental issues down the road, such as tooth decay and gum disease.
Baltimore Dental Co., home to Dr. Leah Romay, provides dental treatments for crooked teeth in Glyndon, MD. Our procedures will improve the appearance of and straighten your crooked teeth. Dr. Romay is committed to helping patients feel comfortable through every step of the treatment process to target their dental concerns.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
Your teeth can become crooked for several reasons. They can erupt this way or shift out of alignment for various reasons. No matter what causes your misalignment, it is vital to treat your crooked teeth.
- Genetics: The size and shape of the mouth, jaw, and teeth are inherited traits. Genetic predispositions can lead to overcrowding or improperly fitting teeth, resulting in misalignment.
- Poor habits: Bad habits such as thumb sucking, using a pacifier for too long, and tongue thrusting in childhood can exert pressure on the teeth and jaw, leading to crooked teeth.
- Loss of baby teeth too early: Losing baby teeth too early may cause the remaining baby to shift out of place. This causes the permanent teeth to erupt slanted or crooked.
- Improper fit of dental restorations: Poorly fitted dental crowns, bridges, or fillings will alter the bite. This forces the neighboring teeth to move out of alignment.
- Injury: Trauma to the jaw or face can affect the alignment of the teeth.
- Poor Nutrition: Malnutrition, especially during key developmental years, can contribute to the development of crooked teeth.
- Other diseases and conditions: There are many other diseases and conditions that patients can have, such as osteoporosis, cleft palate, or tumors in the jaw that can lead to crooked teeth.
Crooked Teeth Can Impact Your Health
Crooked teeth negatively impact the aesthetics of your smile. Misalignment can also lead to several dental and general health issues. Treating crooked teeth can improve oral health, teeth functionality, and smile’s appearance.
- Difficulty cleaning: Misaligned teeth can create hard-to-reach areas, making it hard to brush and floss. This can increase the risk of plaque buildup leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and infections.
- Chewing and digestion issues: Crooked teeth affect your ability to chew food efficiently. This can lead to potential digestion problems.
- Problems speaking: Misaligned teeth can affect how you form certain words and sounds. This can lead to speech problems.
- Worn-down teeth: Teeth that are out of alignment can wear down faster. There is even pressure placed on certain teeth. Over time, worn-down teeth can lead to additional problems such as TMJ disorders, chewing issues, and tooth loss.
- Higher risk of injury: Any tooth out of alignment is at higher risk of damage.
- Low self-esteem: People with crooked teeth may have confidence issues during social interactions because they do not like the appearance of their smile.
Treating Crooked Teeth in Glyndon, MD
Before treatment, Dr. Romay will create a personalized treatment plan to take your budget, goals, and oral health needs into account. Learn more about the treatments we offer below:
Invisalign
Invisalign is a modern alternative to traditional metal braces that gradually shift teeth every two weeks. The clear aligners that we provide you can be removed for eating as well as brushing and flossing teeth.
Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than metal braces as they do not irritate the gums. Patients also may have a shorter treatment time with Invisalign. You can get straight teeth in about six to eighteen months, depending on the severity of your crooked or misaligned teeth. To learn more about the Invisalign process, see Invisalign.
Dental Bonding
We use a composite resin during tooth bonding treatment to cover enamel and change the size and shape of teeth. Bonding material blends in with natural teeth for an aesthetically pleasing end result.
Because tooth bonding is a less permanent treatment for crooked teeth, it is a great option for patients who do not want to commit to veneers or a more permanent dental treatment option. To learn more about the benefits of dental bonding, see Teeth Bonding.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are made of high-quality, ultra-thin porcelain. Veneers cover slightly crooked teeth for a straighter and more balanced appearance. As with dental bonding treatment, porcelain veneers are color-matched to natural teeth. Porcelain veneers not only improve the look of crooked teeth but also protect them from damage. To learn more about the dental veneer process, see Porcelain Veneers.
Crooked Teeth FAQS
Having crooked can be a detriment to your oral health. Learn more about them to fully understand the reasons why treating this orthodontic issues is important. Please read through the answers to our frequently asked questions regarding crooked teeth. If you have further questions, contact Baltimore Dental Co. today.
How common are crooked teeth?
The majority of people have at least one tooth that is crooked. Both young people and adults are afflicted with crooked teeth. You shouldn’t feel pressured to get your teeth fixed if they’re crooked, however it may improve their function and appearance.
Do crooked teeth get worse with age?
The jaw bone loses density and begins to atrophy as you get older. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, this can cause teeth to cluster together or even overlap causing oral and orthodontic health issues.
How fast do braces move teeth?
In most cases, you should begin to see progress after about two months of braces treatment. You may begin to see results as early as four weeks after starting your treatment, however it usually takes a little longer for progress to be noticeable.
Can crooked teeth affect speaking?
Crooked teeth have potential to cause problems with speech. Speaking issues can arise from a number of conditions, including overbite, gapped teeth, and crowding.
Can crooked teeth cause pain?
A misaligned bite places additional strain on the jaw muscles, bones, and teeth, causing constant mouth pain. Gums are also under stress, which can cause them to bleed or become inflamed, causing pain.
Can crooked teeth cause bone loss?
It may be very difficult to clean your mouth if your teeth are out of alignment. Plaque and bacteria have more places to hide where teeth are crowded and misaligned. Poor oral hygiene can cause tooth decay, bone loss, and gum recession.
What problems can crooked teeth cause?
Cracked teeth, jaw strain, TMJ, and chronic migraines can all come from crooked teeth. Speech issues can also be a result of misaligned teeth.
Schedule an Appointment for Crooked Teeth in Gylndon, MD
Do you want to improve the look of one or more crooked teeth? Call Baltimore Dental Co. for treatment today at 410.220.4680. Request an appointment with Dr. Romay online.