Crooked teeth: what causes them and how to fix them

Everyone wants to have perfect teeth. However, a totally naturally perfect smile is rather rare, since dental issues can stem from a variety of sources. Whether caused by genetics or trauma, problems like crooked teeth and dental crowding can damage the appearance and health of our teeth. So if you have crooked front, back, top or bottom teeth and you’re wondering how to fix them, this article is for you. We’ll address why teeth are cooked and what causes them, how to avoid them, and of course, how to fix them.

What causes crooked teeth?

Why are teeth crooked? Well, having crooked teeth is a condition in which one or more teeth are rotated or tilted, causing aesthetic problems and dental malocclusion. Crooked top or bottom teeth can be caused by several factors. A lot of people have had their crooked teeth since childhood because of a genetic problem -inherited from the parents- or because their mouth is too small, which can also lead to dental crowding. Let's see why teeth are crooked at various stages of life and what causes them to get that way:

Crooked teeth in babies and toddlers

The usual age for the eruption of baby teeth is between 6 and 12 months. These baby teeth can also be crooked. Some of the most common causes are listed below.

• Crooked teeth in babies due to genetic factors. Generally speaking, crooked baby teeth aren’t always a problem. However, as the baby teeth serve as a guide for the permanent ones, sometimes there may be a correlation between baby teeth that come in crooked and the adult teeth coming in crooked as well.
• Crooked teeth from dummies. If you’re wondering if dummies can make your baby’s teeth crooked, the answer is yes. According to the Spanish Society of Pediatric Dentistry, if the habit of sucking the dummy is stopped before the age of 3, the possible deformities that may have been caused in the mouth will be solved by themselves. However, if the habit continues after 4 years of age, it can create deformities, like crooked front teeth, that will require the intervention of the pediatric orthodontist.
  
• Crooked teeth from thumb sucking. Thumb sucking is a fairly widespread habit among young children. They usually do it for various reasons: when they feel tired, out of boredom, to relax when they go to sleep or even when they are hungry. The act of thumb sucking gives them calm, security and happiness. However, similarly to dummies, according to the American Dental Association, if children continue to suck their fingers after the age of 4, parents should encourage them to stop. If this persists, it will be necessary to go to a pediatrician or pediatric dentist to evaluate the situation and offer suggestions on how to prevent the child from continuing this practice. And if the child continues to suck their thumb, malocclusion problems and crooked front teeth both top and bottom could arise.
  

Crooked teeth in children

Crooked teeth in children is a fairly common condition. It occurs from the age of 5 or 6 when the baby teeth begin to give way to the permanent ones, when they begin to erupt. There are different reasons why permanent teeth come out crooked, let’s have a look:

• Included teeth. An included tooth is one that does not erupt and remains within the maxilla. The canines are the teeth that most often remain unerupted, since they erupt later than the incisors, so if there is a lack of space in the upper arch, they may be totally or partially included, causing crooked top front teeth. The included part often collides with parts next to it, which can lead to the impacted part rotating or tilting.
• Crooked teeth from having a small mouth. Due to human evolution and the fact that we do not need arches as large as our ancestors, it is increasingly common to see patients who come to the clinic with a lack of space in their dental arches. This occurs more frequently when the permanent teeth grow in, since they are larger than the baby teeth. Small arches mean that not all the teeth can fit, which leads to dental crowding.
  

Crooked teeth in adults

As an adult, if your teeth didn’t come in crooked as a child, you can also have crooked top or bottom teeth for the following reasons:

• Wisdom teeth erupt, causing crooked teeth. Many times, the eruption of wisdom teeth can create a lack of space in the arches. When the arch is too small for the wisdom teeth to fit, what is known as dental crowding occurs, causing crooked teeth due to lack of space.
• Periodontitis. Periodontitis is another risk factor for crooked teeth. Due to the fact that in this condition the tooth’s fixation to the bone decreases, it becomes easier for the teeth to move. So it’s possible for teeth to suffer from altered positions which can eventually lead to their loss.
  
• Trauma. Blows to the teeth or trauma can also alter the position of the teeth and cause badly crooked teeth.
  

How to fix crooked teeth

There is no single treatment method to fix crooked teeth. Depending on the age of the patient and the degree of complexity of the problem, there are several treatment options for crooked teeth. We’ve compiled a list of the different crooked teeth treatment options below:

Interceptive orthodontics for crooked teeth

Interceptive orthodontics is performed in children to prevent crooked teeth and dental malocclusions before they occur. Because at this stage of life the jaw is still developing, with interceptive orthodontics, dental and mandibular malformations can be prevented.

Aligners or braces for crooked teeth

In young people and adults, the use of braces or aligners is the definitive solution to correct crooked teeth. Although orthodontic treatment can be started at any age, it’s best to start as early as possible as a way to prevent or avoid crooked teeth. The best known orthodontic systems on the market that can fix crooked teeth include aligners, and other invisible orthodontics like ceramic, sapphire, lingual braces. Traditional metal and self-ligating braces can also do the trick. All these dental devices are options to straighten teeth and fix malocclusion issues.

Invisible aligners to correct crooked teeth: before and after

As we mentioned, aligners are one of the best options if you’re looking to fix crooked teeth. Aligners, like those used in Impress treatments, can fix nearly all dental problems, and they’re just as effective as traditional orthodontics.

With these clear splints, patients can align their teeth almost completely unnoticeably, obtaining results that are just as satisfactory as traditional methods. If you want to take a look at the before and after of patients with crooked teeth, you can visit our results section and find out their opinion.

How to fix crooked teeth without braces

There are other methods to fix crooked teeth without braces, the most common being dental veneers. Although crooked teeth cannot be corrected without orthodontics, they can be concealed with the use of veneers.

Veneers are usually only recommended when there are minor issues like slightly crooked teeth. Although it’s a quick and painless method, it should be noted that more serious problems that involve malocclusion or severe dental malpositions, must be solved with orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist will decide which is the most appropriate solution in your case.

How to prevent crooked teeth

Many people wonder how to prevent or avoid crooked teeth all together, and the answer is you have to start young. To prevent adult teeth from coming in crooked, children from 5-6 years old should go to the dentist for regular check-ups. In some cases, the specialist will recommend using removable or fixed dental spacers to avoid future crowding and badly crooked teeth. Interceptive orthodontics is also effective in preventing crooked teeth. In addition, another way to prevent teeth from coming out crooked is to pay attention to some of the habits of the little ones, such as the prolonged use of a dummy and the habit of thumb sucking.

Health problems caused by crooked teeth

The consequences of having crooked teeth are not only aesthetic, but can lead to problems for your oral health

• Caries, tartar and periodontitis. Crowding and crooked teeth make it difficult for the brush to access the areas where this problem occurs, creating an accumulation of tartar, the appearance of cavities and possibly causing periodontitis.
• Tooth wear. When there are badly crooked or inclined teeth, there can be an excess of dental friction in certain areas that can lead to the wear of said teeth.
  
• Malocclusion. Another frequent consequence of crooked teeth is dental malocclusion.
  
• Receding gums. Due to tooth movement, crooked teeth can migrate from the bone, causing gingival recession.
  

Impress invisible orthodontics: a discreet solution for crooked teeth

Some of the problems that we can fix with aligners at Impress are crooked teeth, dental crowding, malocclusion and gaps. Impress orthodontics is a hygienic, discreet and comfortable treatment for crooked teeth since they are removable and transparent.

To learn more about our treatments, come to an initial consultation at one of our clinics. During your visit we’ll perform a full 3D scan of your oral cavity and X-rays to ensure everything is ready to begin orthodontic treatment.

Now that you know aligners not only can fix crooked teeth, but are in fact one of the best solutions, what are you waiting for? Come correct your crooked teeth or solve any other dental malposition problem, by calling or texting us at +44 20 3808 1072 or WhatsApp, or by filling out our online form to schedule an appointment at your nearest Impress clinic.

Get in touch with us to evaluate your case and find out which treatment plan suits your needs. Come visit us and we will tell you about our pricing system!