Orthodontic braces are a well known and effective way of treating a range of common dental issues including overbites, underbites and teeth misalignment but what about crowded teeth? Can braces be used to fix this problem too?
Teeth overcrowding is a relatively common phenomenon and occurs for several reasons:
- Genetics
- Bad habits such as habitual thumb sucking (in babies) or tongue thrusting.
- Illness or injury causing facial trauma or
- Through simulated growth of the teeth not in alignment with the continued growth of the gums and jaw
Often this results in teeth simply running out of room to grow or function naturally.
This can cause some teeth to sit higher than other teeth while others may be pushed behind or ahead of neighbouring teeth. Not only does this make for a less than perfect smile, but crowded teeth can also affect your oral health.
If left untreated, it’s difficult to brush and floss crowded teeth properly. This can lead to gum disease and a whole host of problems associated with it. A lack of space for the teeth to function can also lead to long-term jaw problems. In some cases, it can make chewing difficult which may, in turn, cause digestive problems.
That’s the bad news…
The good news is that crowded teeth can be fixed using a variety of methods. In more severe cases, teeth may have to be removed to make space for others to grow naturally but for the majority of others, orthodontic treatments are usually recommended.
These include both fixed and removable appliances.
With this in mind. let’s take a closer look at how to fix crowded teeth using braces.
Firstly, metal braces
These are the most common type of orthodontic braces used to correct teeth overcrowding. Fixed metal braces can be used to treat anything from mild to moderate teeth crowding and in some instances, they can also be used to tackle more severe cases.
In essence, brackets are attached to the teeth and arch-wires are threaded through the brackets. These are then secured by elastic ties. The idea is that as gradual sustained pressure is applied to the teeth, they will slowly move to their natural position. No more crowded teeth! This process can take anything from 6 months in mild cases to several years or more in severe cases.
Ceramic braces
When tooth overcrowding is less severe, or in cases where metal ‘train track’ style braces are undesirable, then a dentist may suggest ceramic braces. They are again fixed permanently to the teeth for the duration of the treatment, but because ceramic braces utilise ‘tooth-coloured’ brackets, they are less visible than their full-metal counterparts.
They work in the same way as full metal braces in that they apply gradual sustained pressure to move teeth and as a result, the process takes a similar amount of time. One thing to point out is that because ceramic braces are made to be less conspicuous, they are more expensive than standard metal braces.
Lingual braces
In some cases, braces can also be permanently fitted to the back of the teeth. Utilising smaller thinner brackets and wiring, lingual braces are classified as truly ‘invisible’ braces. They again function in the same way as traditional braces by applying the same gradual force. However, the difference is that all the action takes place at the back of the teeth rather than the front. Do bear in mind, however, that lingual braces are not ideal for severely crowded teeth and a major overbite might not leave sufficient room for the brackets to be fitted. Furthermore, it takes a skilled dentist trained in lingual orthodontics to fit them, so they aren’t an option for everyone.
Clear braces
These are not to be confused with ceramic fixed braces we talked about earlier but instead refer to removable clear aligners. Clear aligner systems such as ClearCorrect or Invisalign do away with brackets and wiring altogether in favour of a series of clear plastic trays that are worn sequentially over the teeth. The idea being that the first aligner in the series moves the tooth around a third of a millimetre. This takes around 1-2 weeks.
When this has done its job it’s discarded and is replaced by the next one in the series which again, moves the teeth a fraction of a millimetre more. This process of switching out aligners continues over several months until the last aligner has been worn and the affected teeth have moved to their right positions.
Although aligner style clear braces aren’t ideal for severe overcrowding, they can be used in most mild to moderate cases. While clear braces (aligners) aren’t as ‘invisible’ as lingual braces, they are designed to be very discreet and are the favoured method of orthodontics for many self-conscious teens and adults. However, because each set of aligners are custom designed to fit your mouth, clear braces tend to cost more than metal style braces.
The key takeaway
When the mouth becomes overcrowded, chewing and digestion can become more difficult. By not being able to efficiently clean your teeth, the way is paved for a variety of other dental issues to develop. These can prove more costly further down the line.
An experienced dentist will first be able to identify the main cause of your crowded teeth and then recommend the best course of action – one that can fix the underlying problem but also one that fits in with your needs and requirements. Whether that’s a fixed metal brace for more severe conditions or aligner style clear braces for mild to moderate conditions, the right dental team can help.
Here at No Gaps Dental, your comfort and satisfaction is our main concern. We know that it can be difficult to make a decision and this is why we take the time to explain all your options to you – allowing you to make an educated choice and one that will help.
If you suffer from overcrowded teeth then it’s good to know that there’s a No Gaps Dental clinic near you. With an experienced team and competitive pricing, we can help you restore your smile. Visit our website to book an appointment at a clinic of your choice.