Crooked Teeth

A crowded or uneven bite can make biting into food difficult or uncomfortable. Teeth may look out of line, and some people have mouth breathing or a speech difficulty such as a lisp.

Crooked teeth often run in families because jaw size and tooth size are inherited. A mismatch between them can leave too little room for teeth, while extra, missing, impacted or unusually shaped teeth can also disrupt alignment.

Crowding can become clearer as permanent teeth erupt. Losing a baby tooth early can reduce arch space and contribute to rotations, ectopic eruption and further crowding as the remaining teeth move into the gap.

Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond age three and prolonged bottle use can affect tooth position. Cleft lip and palate, jaw fractures, poorly fitting crowns or appliances, and premature tooth loss can also change alignment.

The assessment checks how upper and lower teeth meet when you close together. Dental X-rays, facial or skull X-rays and models of the teeth may be used to measure the position of the teeth and jaws.

Braces and other orthodontic devices move teeth into a better position. Treatment is generally quicker in children and adolescents because their bones are still soft, although orthodontic treatment in adults can also be successful and may take longer.

The amount of movement required and the length of treatment shape the work involved. Orthodontic treatment may take six months to two years or more, and adult correction can need longer use of braces or other devices.

Misaligned teeth can make chewing difficult and can affect appearance, speech or mouth breathing. During orthodontic correction, appliances can cause mouth and gum irritation, and tooth decay or gingivitis are possible complications.

Inherited jaw and tooth proportions cannot be prevented. Limiting thumb sucking and tongue thrusting may help, while restoring baby teeth and maintaining space after early tooth loss can reduce the crowding that follows loss of arch length.