Crooked teeth, or malocclusions, are a misalignment or inadequate relationship of the dental arches between the teeth when they approach each other when the jaws close. Orthodontic treatment with braces is the best way to correct a malocclusion. Crooked teeth are one of the most common malocclusions that orthodontic appliances can fix. But, depending on the severity of the alignment and rotation of your teeth, you may be wondering if traditional braces can fix your crooked teeth.
Have you ever considered what it would look like if the right side of the smile weren't at the same level as the left side? We encounter this “slanted smile” situation from time to time, and correcting it has a dramatic effect on the beauty of the smile. This particular problem is technically called an “inclined occlusal plane” and often originates from uneven growth of the lower jaw, which changes how the upper jaw grows. In an ideal world, we would all have teeth as straight and clean as piano keys. Unfortunately, crooked teeth are a reality for many.
The University of Illinois School of Dentistry at Chicago has observed an increasing number of adults seeking treatment for dental alignment problems. But what do you do if you want to fix crooked teeth after orthodontic treatment? Here are three solutions that might help. Teeth can change naturally after treatment with braces, according to the American Orthodontic Association. Bite forces caused by clenching, grinding and parafunctional activities (such as biting your nails) can contribute to tooth misalignment and relapse after orthodontic treatment with braces, according to Songco.
To prevent or mitigate this, use a dental retainer as directed after braces are removed. For many, this means wearing retainers every night for life. But what if your case is more serious and a down payment just doesn't work? Dental aligners may be the answer. Unlike traditional metal or ceramic orthodontic appliances, which are fixed to the teeth, transparent aligners correct crooked teeth using a series of invisible and personalized dental trays. Aligners apply the same principles as orthodontic appliances by creating a sustained force on the teeth over time, causing a change in position.
Depending on the severity and circumstances of misalignment, tooth-colored restorations such as veneers and crowns may be an option for correcting crooked teeth after braces. According to Mayo Dental and Impact Clinic, veneers are thin porcelain devices designed to fit the entire front of a tooth. Veneers can improve the appearance of natural teeth with minimal loss of tooth structure. If your teeth have been crooked due to severe tooth decay or a break, crowns can help. Crowns are installed directly over remaining tooth structure to strengthen it and give the appearance of a complete, natural tooth.
In other words, veneers and crowns don't straighten your teeth; they present an illusion of straight teeth but can still increase confidence in your smile. Straightening your teeth can be easy and affordable. Find out how to get started today. WebMD Connect to Care counselors are ready to help. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. Worse yet, if a tooth decays it can affect surrounding teeth in a domino effect that can generate thousands of dollars in preventable dental treatments.
Neither crowns nor veneers are ideal solutions for correcting crooked teeth because they are intended to improve aesthetics and functionality rather than treat misalignment, according to Songco. If you plan to replace missing tooth with bridge or dental implant, braces can straighten slanted teeth to create space for fixed restoration. The dentist or orthodontist will manipulate appliance or even dental structure to properly align teeth. After completing orthodontic treatment you will see that slanted smile has been completely corrected; second stage is to level arches once crowding has been resolved and teeth aligned. Dental compensations naturally develop to treat jaw size problems; although his teeth are crowded and crooked when he first comes in they have generally been moved to position where they are relatively stable and functional. Initial alignment uncovers underlying skeletal discrepancies; in process of removing dental offsets you will notice changes in ratio between upper and lower teeth - it's common for things to get worse before they get better. Straightening your teeth is dynamic process; your teeth will change during treatment.
To fix tilted teeth with braces requires careful manipulation of appliance or even dental structure by dentist or orthodontist.
