Do you feel like your teeth are too close together? Have you been wondering, “how do braces work on crowded teeth? “
If an overcrowded mouth is keeping you from flashing that smile, you may be a great candidate for braces for crowding.
Overcrowded teeth may be uncomfortable, unwanted, and undesirable. Plus, if you don’t straighten overcrowded teeth, they can be more difficult to clean and eventually develop cavities, decay, or gum disease.
So, how do braces fix crowded teeth? And, are they the right option for you?Â
Today we’ll explore some of the most common questions related to braces for overcrowding, like:Â
- Why do you need to straighten overcrowded teeth?
- What are the best types of braces for overcrowding?
- How do braces work on crowded teeth?
- How long do braces take for crowded teeth?
- Can braces fix all crooked teeth?
If you find yourself wondering about the advantages of braces for overcrowding, read on to learn more!
Why Do Teeth Crowd?
Overcrowding is a common form of malocclusion (or poorly aligned bite).
It’s typically a result of the way your teeth grow. When baby teeth erupt from gums, they can appear in a variety of orientations.
Many factors affect whether you’ll have overlapping teeth, including:
- Genetics
- Size of jaw
- Gum orientation
- Size of teeth
- Premature loss of teeth
- Extra teeth
- Abnormal gum growths
Because overcrowded teeth can have some negative consequences, there are a few reasons to consider braces for crowding.
Why Should You Straighten Overcrowded Teeth?
Overcrowded teeth can negatively affect your oral health and appearance in a few ways. Here are three negative consequences of not treating overcrowded teeth.
1. Crowded Teeth Are More Prone To Decay
When teeth overlap with minimal space between them, it can be difficult to keep them clean. Plaque accumulates more easily between crowded teeth, which can lead to decay and gum disease if not brushed and flossed away regularly.
2. Crowding Can Be Painful
Crowded teeth can be more sensitive and even more painful due to the pressure against each other within your jaw. That additional pressure causes further wear on the teeth, leading to lasting problems.
3. Crowding Affects The Alignment Of Your Smile
Overcrowded teeth also create uneven smiles. As a result, some individuals may find that their upper teeth protrude past the bottom ones or that their teeth appear longer than normal on one side of the jaw.
If you’re experiencing pain or feel unhappy about your appearance, it’s time to ask your orthodontist about braces for overcrowding!
Fixing Crowded Teeth In Adults and Teens
Now that you know the main reasons to fix overcrowding, let’s explore exactly how to get the process started.
Below are three common questions regarding braces and crowded teeth.
How Do Braces Work On Crowded Teeth?
So, how exactly do braces work on crowded teeth?
Knowing the science of how braces or aligners fix crowded teeth can help give you the confidence to move forward with them.Â
Orthodontists often use braces for crowding issues as they work by applying pressure on the teeth to make them move into proper alignment. However, moving teeth and making room for them to move isn’t an overnight process.Â
Instead, braces fix crowded teeth over time and are tightened or adjusted periodically by your orthodontist to account for how your teeth are shifting.
Your orthodontist may recommend one of the following types of braces for overcrowding to resolve your alignment issues.
Braces (Metal and Ceramic)
If you have overcrowding in your upper or lower front teeth, your orthodontist may recommend braces with cemented brackets.
Your orthodontist will adhere brackets on the overcrowded and surrounding teeth that require movement. Then, a wire, called an archwire, is fit into the brackets and causes the pressure needed to begin moving your teeth. Finally, your orthodontist may place elastics (which can be colorful for fun!) around the brackets to create additional tension if necessary.
Invisalign
Though braces are the most common treatment for overcrowded teeth, they’re noticeable visually. Fortunately, there’s another alternative to traditional braces that’s a little more discreet—Invisalign.
Instead of using metal brackets cemented to their teeth, Invisalign allows patients to wear a series of clear, plastic, retainer-like trays that fit over their teeth. These clear aligners are barely visible and often cause less irritation to the gum or mouth tissue than metal brackets and wire. It’s often the preferred alignment method for fixing crowded teeth in adults who are more concerned about their appearance. Â
However, Invisalign does have some limitations when it comes to severely misaligned teeth. Sometimes, an orthodontist may need to start with traditional braces and then transition to Invisalign once major issues are resolved.
Scheduling a consultation with a trained orthodontist is the best way to know whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign or not.
How Long Do Braces Take for Crowded Teeth?
When it comes to braces for overcrowding, you might be wondering how long the process will last and what to expect.
Whether it’s with traditional braces or Invisalign, the average treatment length for fixing crowded teeth in adults or teens is 12-24 months. That said, the severity of a patient’s alignment issues will be the main driver behind treatment length—more severe overcrowding will often take longer to fix than mild overcrowding.
In addition, issues can arise that will lead to a longer treatment time, like a broken bracket due to eating hard candy or gingivitis from poor oral hygiene.
But excluding any speed bumps in your treatment, your orthodontist will be able to give you a good estimate of your treatment length once you finish your initial consultation.
Can Braces Fix All Crooked Teeth?
The majority of the time, yes, braces can effectively fix crooked and overcrowded teeth. However, that doesn’t mean a singular method always works. The sooner a patient’s crooked teeth are corrected, the more likely they are to have a successful outcome on the first try.
For more complex cases, an orthodontist may recommend combining a few methods, like traditional braces and aligners to continue or maintain the corrections.
Straighten Really Crooked Teeth with Braces from Bates Orthodontics
In this article, we dove into the world of braces and crooked/overcrowded teeth. We provided answers to some of the most common questions, like:Â
- How do braces work on crowded teeth?
- Do you need braces for crowded teeth?
- What are the main methods to straighten overcrowded teeth?
- How long do braces take for crowded teeth?
- Can braces fix all crooked teeth?
When it comes to crooked and overcrowded teeth, there can be health and aesthetic benefits to getting them corrected—and braces are one of the most effective treatment methods.Â
Are you ready to fix those really crooked teeth with braces? You’re in the right place!
If you live in Richmond, VA, and you’re interested in braces for overcrowding, your first call should be to Bates Orthodontics. We straighten overcrowded teeth and correct other jaw alignment issues so you can achieve that desired smile at any age.
Whether you’re hoping for traditional metal braces, ceramic brackets, or an Invisalign treatment, our team of experts will recommend the best course of action to correct your smile as effectively and timely as possible. Our practice sincerely believes having a great smile is physically, mentally, and emotionally life-changing!
If you’re looking for additional information on fixing crowded teeth in adults or children, give us a call or book a complimentary consultation today. We’ll answer any questions you may have and share insight into our customized treatment plans to straighten overcrowded teeth.
