What Causes Crooked Teeth? Common Reasons & How to Fix Them

Have you ever hidden in the corner of photos or felt self-conscious about your crooked teeth? Well, you are not alone. Millions of people are experiencing tooth misalignment, but very few of them know what causes it.

The good news? Modern dentistry offers more comfortable and discreet solutions than ever before. From clear aligners barely visible to accelerated orthodontic treatments, there are options for every age and lifestyle.

Now, first and foremost, we are going to unveil those things that cause your dental misalignment. Knowing these truths can help you make a wiser decision about your orthodontic treatment.

What are Crooked Teeth?

Crooked teeth are described as spaced apart or overlapping teeth that tend to rotate. This condition is also called malocclusion. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. Dental alignment may affect bite function, speech, and oral hygiene. Many people seek orthodontic treatments to correct crooked teeth for aesthetic and health reasons.

Common Causes of Crooked Teeth

There are multiple causes for the development of crooked teeth, some of which may be due to genetics, while others may arise due to habits or trauma. The following are the most common causes of dental crowding and misalignment:

1. Genetic and Hereditary Factors

Genetics has a vital role to play in the dental structure. If the parents have crooked teeth, a child is more likely to have them too. Traits like jaw size, tooth size, and bite patterns can all contribute to malocclusions. A small jaw size may result in teeth crowding, whereas a larger jaw may lead to spacing problems.

2. Poor Childhood Habits

Thumb sucking , prolonged use of pacifiers, and tongue thrusting are just a few childhood habits that may be responsible for misaligned teeth. These habits press an individual's developing teeth backward or outward. If an intervention is made early on, it can prevent severe dental misalignment from developing.

3. Premature Baby Teeth Loss

Sometimes, early loss or issues with baby teeth can impact the development of permanent teeth. Adjacent teeth may shift into the empty spaces, causing crowding.

4. Bad Oral Hygiene and Gum Diseases

Neglecting oral hygiene leads to gum disease and tooth loss. Weakened gums with loss of bone cause teeth to shift. Regular check-ups and proper care may reduce the risk of crowded teeth.

5. Jaw Misalignment (Malocclusion)

This term refers to both jaws (upper and lower) being positioned differently from normal. Typical kinds of misalignments are:

• Overbite: The upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth.
• Underbite: The lower teeth extend past the upper teeth.
• Crossbite: Some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth.
• Open Bite: The front teeth do not touch when biting down.

6. Injury or Trauma to the Mouth

Accidents and sports injuries can cause teeth to become misaligned or displaced. Fractured jaws may also yield some dental misalignments. A mouth guard is effective in averting such mishaps during sports activities.

7. Tongue Thrusting and Improper Swallowing

Tongue thrusting occurs when the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing. Its constant pressure may make some teeth move forward until an open bite is created. Speech therapists and orthodontists can treat this habit.

8. Tumors or Cysts in the Mouth

Mouth tumors or cysts may displace teeth. Such growths exert pressure on the teeth, thus causing their shift. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to prevent severe misalignment.

How to Fix Crooked Teeth: Effective Orthodontic Treatments

Here are the most referred-to dental treatments for dental misalignment.

1. Traditional Metal Braces

Metal braces are the most widely practiced treatment for severe types of malocclusions. The metal wires and brackets are attached to the tooth surface, effectively moving teeth into their proper positions. With regular adjustments, teeth slowly undergo rehabilitation.

2. Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces operate like metal braces without the literal in-your-face visibility. This makes them ideal for adults who want to avoid instant detection.

3. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are removable, transparent trays to straighten teeth. Brands like ALIGNERCO offer an almost invisible treatment for mild to moderate misalignments. Therefore, they are popular among adults and teens.

4. Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are invisible to the front because they are behind the teeth. Effective for overbite correction, these braces often require longer adjustment periods.

5. Palatal Expanders for Jaw Correction

The palatal expander can open up the space in the upper jaw and relieve crowding or cross bites. The device is usually applied to children before the eruption of permanent dentition while their jaw is still developing.

6. Dental Veneers for Cosmetic Improvement

Veneers are thin shells attached to the front of the teeth. They slightly improve the appearance of crooked teeth but do not fix misalignments.

7. Tooth Extraction for Extreme Crowding

It is typically followed by braces or clear aligners, where one or more teeth types are extracted to relieve extreme cases of severe crowding.

8. Surgery for Serious Jaw Misalignments

Orthognathic surgery significantly corrects jaw discrepancies. It is combined with braces for optimal results in severe malocclusion cases.

Preventing Crooked Teeth in Children

Early intervention decreases the chances of developing a severe dental malalignment. Following are some of the practices that parents may encourage to correct teeth alignment:

• Discourage thumb sucking and pacifier use past 3 years old.
• Encourage proper oral hygiene to prevent early loss of teeth.
• Schedule dental visits regularly from age 7 for the early detection of problems.

ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners: Effective Orthodontic Treatment for Crooked Teeth

Suffering from misaligned teeth but dislike wearing metal braces? Well, here comes ALIGNERCO to the rescue with clear aligners that are a barely visible solution. The custom-made trays gently guide misaligned teeth back into alignment. They're great if you have mild to moderate dental inadequacies and are ensured to be quite comfortable.

ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners are removable and stain-resistant, making eating and oral care easy. With no wires or brackets, the number of dental appointments is reduced. Enjoy a straighter smile without compromising your lifestyle.

How Does It Work?

Clear aligners are created using advanced 3D imaging to scan your mouth. Each aligner tray in the series is slightly different to ensure the teeth are moved into the desired position.

Step-by-Step Treatment Process

1. Taking the Dental Impressions

Choose your treatment plan with ALIGNERCO and check eligibility. Your journey will start with simple, at-home dental impressions. Follow the instructions and make accurate molds. Send your impressions using the prepaid shipping label.

2. Custom Aligner Fabrication

Once we receive your impressions, we create a 3D smile preview. Upon approval, your custom aligners are manufactured to precision.

3. Receiving Your Aligners and Wearing Them

You can receive the clear aligners personalized for you at your doorstep. Wear them according to the directions (usually 20-22 hours a day), and move on to new aligners every 10 days while your teeth shift.

Recap

ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners offer a modern solution for misaligned teeth. The invisible trays gently shift the teeth to their proper position. Unlike traditional metal braces, the process is discreet and comfortable.

Start your journey to confident smiles today. ALIGNERCO simply means teeth straightening. Comfortably change your smile in your own time!