Treating Crooked Teeth
At Stanley Street Dental, we know that crooked teeth are not only noticeable, but they can also lead to trouble down the line. In, fact crooked teeth can be both a cosmetic issue and a dental predicament that can worsen and become a health problem over time. Obviously, the visual aspect of having teeth that don’t align properly will be the first reason you consider having them corrected, but keep in mind, a prolonged period of crooked teeth can certainly lead to unwanted dental complications. Both children and adults can suffer from the plight of crooked or misaligned teeth or a bite that doesn’t align, but the good news is that the Stanley Street Dental team can easily treat anyone with such a dental complaint, and restore your teeth and smile to a healthier, brighter (and much straighter) version.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
At Stanley Street Dental, we consider all the possibilities and outcomes that revolve around the issue of crooked teeth. That being said, the main and perhaps fundamental reason that teeth become crooked in the first place, is because of the way that your adult teeth grow in after your baby teeth have fallen out. During this otherwise exciting time, the adult teeth that grow in first without other teeth to keep them aligned can appear in ways you don’t want them to. Then, as more and more teeth appear, they end up working against each other where they are all vying to push their way through the compromised gaps, which means they do not always grown in ‘straight’ or as they should.
It happens.
If crooked teeth are plaguing you later in life, many adults can succumb to a similar concern, but this time…in reverse. When there is tooth loss or missing teeth, either from trauma or a professional extraction, your remaining teeth will naturally start to shift to fill the gap that is left behind. More room to move? Yep, you guessed it. Crooked teeth as a result of unwanted shifting and internal maneuvering.
Sometimes, the unpleasantness of a TMJ disorder that affects the movement of the jaw and the surrounding muscles can lead to crooked teeth, as can a cleft palate. These are more unique problems, but at Stanley Street Dental, we can work closely with you to discuss your options.
Are Crooked Teeth that Big of a Deal?
In short, yes.
Crooked teeth can lead to some nasty and unwanted issues and side effects that can be mostly avoided. There are treatments available and professionals ready to work on your crooked and misaligned smile, and that’s what we’re here to do. At Stanley Street Dental, in fact, we know that when your teeth are healthy and properly aligned, they can be taken for granted perhaps, in the way they allow your to speak clearly and unencumbered, while also performing other day-to-day activities such as eating. Teeth that are noticeably crooked, however, obviously can threaten such normal and everyday functions, while not providing the right support or structural balance. This ultimately can lead to muscle and jaw strain, two things you should never have to experience as a result of crooked teeth. You may also find that you are at a greater risk of things like toothache, increased sensitivity, the onset of gingivitis, and continuing tooth decay because, and understandably, it is harder to keep crooked teeth clean and properly cared for.
Keeping Crooked Teeth Straight
Enter the orthodontist
Orthodontics, although a mouthful, is a specialized field of dentistry that specifically deals with the issues surrounding your questionable tooth alignment, correcting your bite, or misaligned jaw. They are here to help straighten your teeth first and foremost, and as such, both adults and children can benefit from the available treatments they provide. At the Stanley Street Dental Clinic, there are several treatments that reside within this specialized field of dentistry, which include the introduction of orthodontic retainers, braces, and aligner trays. At Stanley Street Dental, we understand the stigma involved with braces, and historically, there was perhaps a justified reason. Braces in more primitive eras of dentistry were highly visible, painful, and ultimately, an uncomfortable form of orthodontic treatment. Modern braces, however, as most things that benefit from new technology and research, are a far more efficient and less intrusive form of treatment, and much more comfortable, while looking less noticeable and easily concealed.
So, essentially, you’re having your teeth aligned while the world is none the wiser. That’s a good combination!
Aligner trays are another discrete and mostly comfortable way of treating your crooked teeth, and since they can be easily removed, they are quite convenient when it comes to the practices and continual nature of good, oral hygiene habits.
Another option that is often overlooked as well, for whatever reason, is the implementation of veneers. If you have crooked teeth but your dentist at Stanley Street Dental is confident that they are merely a cosmetic issue, then they may recommend porcelain veneers to not only provide a smooth and well-aligned look for your teeth and smile, but to restore your confidence with moving forward.
The important of Regular Check Ups
It is a good idea for children to have regular dental check ups, because crooked teeth can often be prevented if their new adult teeth are monitored and properly managed. Regular dental check-ups also have a wide range of benefits for adults too, as they can go a long way in preventing tooth loss and decay, and things that ultimately result in your teeth being crooked. This protocol of being vigilant and aware of your oral health will ensure that your teeth and mouth will remain healthy and free from complication in the years to come.
If you play sports, we at Stanley Street Dental highly recommend you wear a mouth guard to prevent any potential damage to your gums and teeth. By following this simple step, it will help prevent any unnecessary tooth loss, or the possibility of chipping or breaking your teeth. Dentist-fit and professionally custom-built mouth guards offer a far better range of protection than the standard boil and bite that are found in chemists and even supermarkets, and at Stanley Street Dental, we can easily construct you a personalized mouthpiece for ultimate protection.