Teeth Crowding and Spacing
Teeth crowding and spacing issues cause their own sets of problems. A variety of dental services can remedy these issues, restoring your teeth to their optimal position and preventing problems further down the line.
Crowding Of Teeth
Crowding occurs when there isn’t enough room within the jaws for all the teeth to fit correctly. This can cause the teeth to be twisted or displaced. Crowding can happen when the teeth and jaw size don’t match or when the teeth are too big for the available space. It can be caused by losing baby teeth too early, too late, or teeth coming in incorrectly. If the crowding within the mouth is severe, an expander may help the jaw to widen and create more space. For minor cases of crowding, metal braces or clear aligners do an excellent job of slowly adjusting the teeth to create more space.
Spacing Of Teeth
Teeth spacing issues refer to the presence of excessive gaps between teeth. This condition arises when teeth are too small for the available space in the jaw, leading to noticeable gaps. Other causes of spacing issues include protruding teeth, missing or impacted teeth, and irregular gum tissue attachments. Braces and clear aligners are commonly recommended solutions to address teeth spacing issues. If you or your child are dealing with spacing or crowding issues, contact us today to discuss the most suitable treatment options.
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How are crowded teeth corrected?
Typically, the most effective solutions for correcting crowded teeth involve braces or clear aligners. Using a fixed or removable retainer may suffice in cases of very mild overcrowding. For moderate cases, veneers might be the best treatment option. Severe overcrowding can require the use of a dental expander. In some instances, extracting a tooth can create the necessary space for the remaining teeth.
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What are some causes of spacing issues?
Various factors can lead to spacing issues between teeth, including:
- Natural skeletal development
- Extra teeth that push others out of alignment
- Missing teeth that create large gaps
- Premature loss of baby teeth, resulting in misaligned adult teeth
- Teeth that are too small to occupy the available space adequately
- A large jawbone provides excessive room, leading to gaps
- An unusually large tongue causes teeth to flare and create spaces.
More Questions?
If you have additional questions about how to address crowding and spacing issues, feel free to call us or request an appointment today!
