Crooked teeth cause more than just cosmetic dental concerns. They have the potential to lead to serious health problems, including tooth decay and gum disease. Crooked teeth make brushing and flossing challenging, allowing food, debris, and plaque to build up between teeth. Even with daily care and routine visits to the dentist, this build-up can cause tooth enamel to wear away and irritate the sensitive gum tissue.
Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can also interfere with chewing or speech. In addition, crooked teeth can cause tension in the teeth, jaws, and muscles. This often leads to headaches, teeth grinding, TMJ-related issues, and worn or broken teeth. Chester Springs dentist Jason Petkevis, DMD offers several solutions for crooked teeth, including treatment options for straightening teeth with or without braces.
Straightening Teeth With Invisible Braces
Orthodontic treatment is a common method for fixing crooked teeth. Metal braces or clear braces can be used, but most adult patients prefer to use invisible braces.
Dr. Petkevis is a Chester Springs ClearCorrect invisible braces provider. ClearCorrect is one of the most requested brands of invisible braces in the United States. Invisible braces are well-suited for patients who have mild to moderate alignment problems. The benefits of invisible braces vs metal braces include:
- Effective treatment for a wide variety of alignment problems, including crowding, spacing, overbite, and underbite
- Removable trays allow you to eat whatever you want
- Improved hygiene because you can brush and floss normally
- Smooth plastic instead of sharp metal means more comfortable treatment
- The convenience of visiting our dentist office to monitor treatment instead of a specialist
Straightening Teeth Without Braces
For patients who wish to avoid braces, Dr. Petkevis offers options such as cosmetic tooth bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.
- Dental Bonding—Cosmetic dental bonding is a simple procedure, typically completed in a single visit. The dentist applies a tooth-colored, biocompatible composite resin directly to the tooth. They sculpt the composite material into the proper shape and form, then “bonded” to the tooth using a special light.
- Porcelain Veneers—Porcelain veneers are a great way to straighten teeth without braces. Made of ultra-thin, translucent ceramic material, porcelain veneers have a highly aesthetic and natural appearance. They cover the front and sides of teeth and can be used to address other cosmetic concerns, such as gaps between teeth or discolored teeth.
- Dental Crowns—A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a misshaped or crooked tooth. Like a porcelain veneer, a dental crown covers the entire tooth rather than just the front or sides. Dental crowns are also used to treat teeth that are badly damaged, cracked, or suffering from tooth decay.
Get Straighter Teeth
Few people are born with a “perfect smile.” Schedule a consultation with Chester Springs dentist Dr. Jason Petkevis to find which treatment option is right for you. We also offer porcelain veneers in Downingtown, PA, and Exton, PA. Call us at (610) 400–1459 or schedule an appointment online today.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
Crooked teeth can make you self-conscious and have detrimental oral health impacts. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Is it necessary to fix crooked teeth?
Straightening your teeth is a personal choice. We recommend fixing crooked teeth simply because they may lead to larger issues such as gum disease or tooth decay, and they may cause embarrassment. While it is not necessary, we highly suggest it. Treating crooked teeth will improve the appearance of your smile and give you more confidence. If you have concerns about what kind of treatment to use or the cost associated, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Petkevis.
What is the best treatment for crooked teeth?
The best treatment for crooked teeth is the one that will work with your lifestyle, goals, and budget. What may work for one person may not work for the next. Invisible braces are an excellent choice to discreetly correct mild to moderately crooked teeth. Invisible braces are less invasive than metal braces. While treatment times vary, most people can achieve a straight smile in six to twelve months.
Can crooked teeth lead to TMJ problems?
Yes! We often see patients with a TMJ disorder and unaligned teeth. A TMJ disorder can cause painful symptoms in the face, neck, and shoulders and should not be ignored. Too much wear on the temporomandibular joint leads to this. Crooked teeth can mess up your bite and lead to this painful disorder.
Do crooked teeth impact how your face looks?
Yes, with crooked teeth, you don’t have the facial symmetry that we find attractive. It can distort your face shape. Instead of being smooth and uniform, a jaw can make your face look concave or protruding, depending on your bite misalignment. How you hold your jaw and how your bite comes together is unusual.
Do crooked teeth continue to get worse without treatment?
Yes, crooked teeth will likely worsen when you continue to avoid treatment. Even when you reach adulthood, the jaw and teeth constantly move and change. They continue to shift and worsen until you correct them. This is why treating crooked teeth as soon as you can is crucial.
Do crooked teeth cause problems with speech?
Yes. The sounds used for speech form with how your tongue interacts with your teeth. If they’re crooked or not in the right position, you won’t be able to form the sounds correctly. This contributes to a lisp or other types of defects in your speech.