Crooked teeth - photo, how to fix them

British scientists claim that 8 out of 10 people have crooked teeth. At first glance, slight crooked teeth are not such a global problem. Indeed, most people don't even think about why their teeth become crooked and simply ignore this dental problem. But in fact, crooked front (lower or upper) teeth can not only cause psychological discomfort, but also cause serious health problems.

Why do teeth become crooked?

It is quite difficult to figure out why teeth are crooked, since there are many reasons for this anomaly. But there are factors that help explain why teeth grow crooked:

Personality characteristics: narrow jaw and large teeth that simply do not have enough space in the mouth to grow straight.
Bad habits: thumb sucking or using a pacifier for too long in children, lip biting, pencil chewing. All these habits lead to the fact that the teeth do not close completely, and the upper or lower jaw lengthens.
Refusal to treat baby teeth. Unfortunately, there are still dentists who claim that caries in baby teeth does not need to be treated and simply remove the child’s diseased tooth. This cannot be done, since early removal of a baby tooth will lead to displacement and curvature of the entire dentition.
Mouth breathing: If a person breathes only through the mouth, the shape of the palate gradually changes, which can also cause crooked teeth.

But most of the factors associated with crooked front or any other teeth are laid down in childhood, even in the womb. During the formation of the fetus, dental anomalies of one of the parents can be transmitted to the baby. But even if a child does not have a genetic predisposition, crooked teeth may still appear.

The reasons will be explained by orthopedic dentist of the 32Dent clinic Lyudmila Vladimirovna Ponomareva: “Most dental problems begin in childhood. This also applies to the causes of crooked teeth. If a baby is fed from a nipple with a hole that is too large, he will not make any effort to suck and jaw growth will not be stimulated. This also applies to nutrition: a child’s diet should contain a certain amount of hard food. Thanks to this, baby teeth wear down evenly and jaw growth is stimulated.”

But even if you know exactly why your teeth are crooked, it doesn’t change anything. Unfortunately, there are few qualified dentists who can eliminate malocclusion, and correcting crooked teeth in adults and adolescents is a rather lengthy process.

External factors leading to curvature

Malocclusion can be an acquired defect. Common reasons:

Bad habits. It is important to wean children from sucking fingers or holding pencils or pens in their mouths, since all this gradually leads to crooked teeth.

Unbalanced diet. Lack of vitamins, minerals, especially calcium leads to disturbances in the formation of jaw bones and enamel. In addition, bones can soften and become deformed.
Prolonged sucking of pacifiers. After teething, it is recommended to reduce the time your child spends with a pacifier in his mouth. Even orthodontic pacifiers do not guarantee the formation of a correct bite.
Mechanical impact. Manipulation of the tongue in the oral cavity often leads to crooked teeth. You need to understand that even slight but constant pressure on the incisors stretches the ligaments and displaces the teeth.

There are a huge number of causes of malocclusion. In each individual case, only an experienced orthodontist can tell you what to do if your teeth are crooked.

Dental correction methods for children and adolescents

There is no strong relationship between baby and permanent teeth. Therefore, the first crooked incisors can be left alone, although it won’t hurt to show them to the dentist. You need to start worrying if your new permanent teeth are crooked. Depending on the age of the child, as well as the degree of deformation, the doctor may recommend the following correction methods:

Trainers. Soft devices are shaped like mouth guards. They do not need to be worn all the time, so the trainers do not constrain the child. It is enough to put them on at night or wear them for several hours a day. Trainers help strengthen muscles and teach the tongue to the correct position.

Lip bumpers. Mainly used to correct crooked baby teeth. Doctors recommend them for problems with swallowing or breathing. Bumpers minimize pressure on the labial muscles.
Aligners. Silicone mouth guards can be used from the age of 7 years. They are similar to braces, but are removable. Orthodontists prescribe them for minor curvatures of the dentition. They do not solve problems of serious pathologies.
Braces. This is the most popular and effective correction method. But since the system has a very harsh effect on bone tissue, it can only be used after 10 years. Braces correct even advanced pathologies. Their wearing period lasts from several months to several years.

Children's enamel and bone tissue are not fully formed, so at an early age it is important to select gentle therapy.

Methods for correcting the position of teeth in adults

If in childhood and adolescence bone tissue is porous and pliable, then after 25 years it becomes stronger and more difficult to work with. What to do if crooked teeth interfere with the normal life of an adult? Thanks to modern techniques, unevenness can be corrected at any age. It's all about the methods of correction and its duration.

For adult patients, orthodontists offer:

Mouth guards, trainers. Recommended for crossbite, torsion of incisors, molars, tooth dystopia, diastema. It is enough to wear such designs at night, so they do not create aesthetic problems for the patient.
Veneers. Special onlays are used when a small number of teeth are crooked. They do not correct their situation, but only hide the defect. Individually selected according to shape and color.

Braces. Prescribed for serious malocclusions. Although the designs require long-term wear, they correct even severe curvature. In adulthood, correction processes occur slowly, but compared to a child, it is easier for an adult to cope with the unpleasant sensations from braces.
Surgical intervention. It is rarely used and only if no orthodontic method has given a positive result. The doctor removes overly crooked incisors and inserts artificial teeth instead.

Only a specialist can determine what to do if your teeth are crooked. It is important not to delay visiting the dentist and to begin correcting the defect as early as possible.

Braces are an effective method for correcting dental defects.

Although modern dentistry has developed a large number of orthodontic methods for correcting curvature, braces remain the most popular of them. The reason lies in their effectiveness and preservation of results. Discomfort from the systems lasts no more than 2 days, after which the person gets used to them. Usually braces are worn for at least 1 year.

Adults are scared off by their appearance. But the classic metal option is not the only one. Ceramic staples that imitate the shade of enamel are very popular. Transparent sapphire systems are also installed. They are invisible on the teeth; the presence of braces is only revealed by the metal arch. To completely hide the staples, lingual braces are installed. They are expensive, but they are not visible to others, since they are fixed on the inner surface of the dentition.

Do I need to correct my bite?

Many people do not pay attention to the curvature of the dentition, leaving everything as it is. But the problem lies not only in beauty. The unaesthetic appearance of the incisors does not physically bother you until a certain point. The older a person is, the more dental problems he develops. The most common concerns:

Caries. It is problematic to clean crooked incisors from plaque and food particles; as a result of insufficient hygiene, teeth deteriorate.

Inflammation of the gums. The formation of stones and periodontal pockets leads to loosening and loss of teeth.
Gastrointestinal disease. Food is not completely chewed, putting stress on the organs.
Accelerated wear of incisors. If the dentition is incorrectly positioned, the uneven distribution of the load is natural.
Migraine. Deformation of the jaw provokes pinched nerves, which leads to headaches.
Problem prosthetics. Finding dentures for crooked teeth is not easy. This greatly complicates and delays treatment.

Of course, one should not discount the aesthetic problem. Crooked teeth provoke psychological discomfort in communicating with other people. Since childhood, many complexes develop, which is reflected in the character, building personal, business, and friendly relationships.

Prevention of tooth curvature in children and adults

It is important to pay proper attention to the oral cavity from early childhood. Babies need to buy high-quality pacifiers and feed from orthodontic bottles. It is necessary to wean the child from bad habits, such as sucking fingers and pencils. Also, don't puree all your food. The baby must chew vegetables and fruits on his own. Under no circumstances should baby teeth be neglected. Cleaning them morning and evening and regularly visiting the dentist are important rules that all parents should know.

Prevention of dental problems in adulthood is simple - it is necessary to correct them before it is too late. Even if your teeth are healthy, visiting a doctor every six months is mandatory. The answer to the question of what to do if you have crooked teeth is clear - you need to correct them. An neglected defect will provoke the development of diseases, which will be much more difficult to cope with. It’s easier to get your teeth treated in a timely manner.

Types and degrees of curvature

The method of restoring crooked teeth depends on the degree of curvature and the age of the patient. On the Internet you can find many photos of celebrities with crooked teeth before and after restoration. How does the correction process work?

First, let's look at the degrees of curvature:

First degree: refers to individual teeth that differ from the rest in shape, size or location.
Crooked teeth 2 degrees: incorrectly formed dentition due to the simultaneous eruption of several teeth at once.
Third degree: curvature at the level of the jaws, which leads to improper closure of the upper and lower dentition.

In addition, the front teeth, incisors or wisdom teeth may be crooked. The front ones, as a rule, change shape or location due to external factors: injuries, the habit of chewing a pen or seeds.

Orthodontist Anastasia Sergeevna Arkhangelskaya from the 32 Dent clinic explains why teeth grow crooked in adults: “In adulthood, people often have to have their teeth removed. If an implant or other prosthesis is not installed in their place, the dentition may become crooked. In addition, the development of dental anomalies is facilitated by the eruption of wisdom teeth. This is especially true for people with a narrow jaw, which simply does not have enough space for large wisdom teeth.”

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Musculoskeletal problems

This has already been noted in a fairly large number of scientific publications: if a patient has a malocclusion, then in almost 90% of cases there are problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and therefore with the back in various parts of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar .

When the spine is curved, the lower jaw also shifts

The fact is that all ligaments and muscles in the body work harmoniously. If there is asymmetry or overstrain somewhere, compensation immediately occurs due to other muscles. Any displacement of the jaw leads to a violation of the position of the head; Incorrect tilt of the head leads to curvature of the spine in the cervical region, and so on. And vice versa. Slouching leads to a constant tilt of the head forward, which is why the lower jaw can move back, and a pathological bite is formed.

There are studies confirming that the condition of the feet affects the bite! Flat feet are one of the factors in the development of pathologies of the dental system. Therefore, during orthodontic treatment, we often recommend that patients also see an orthopedist or surgeon and undergo comprehensive treatment to avoid relapse in the future.

How to straighten crooked teeth?

The selection of a means for straightening crooked teeth is carried out according to the type of anomaly and taking into account the patient’s age.

To correct malocclusion in children, removable plates or trainers are used. They perform several functions:

align the position of teeth and jaws;
normalize muscle function;
relieve excess pressure from the jaws that the tongue and cheeks exert during conversation or eating.

The use of removable corrective devices is effective only up to 10-12 years. After this, the child develops a permanent bite, which can only be corrected with special mouth guards or braces.

Modern dentistry provides a huge selection of braces. Most often they are installed on the outer surface of the teeth. Unfortunately, they are noticeable during conversation and spoil the aesthetic appearance of a smile. If the aesthetic factor plays a key role, you can install special lingual braces. They are placed on the inside, so the adjustment occurs almost unnoticed by others.

Uneven teeth - BEFORE and AFTER photos

Australian star Delta Goodrem decided to correct her uneven teeth and was right – after treatment, her career began to develop rapidly.

Madonna's daughter Lourdes had quite noticeable uneven teeth. However, she did not follow her mother’s example in refusing treatment and got braces.

Tom Cruise is the most striking example of a person who values the importance of a beautiful smile and decided to undergo orthodontic treatment, not being embarrassed to wear braces as an adult man. Better late than never!

We hope that all these celebrities are not destined to face any unpleasant health consequences, and uneven teeth will remain just an original feature of their image.

Publisher: Expert magazine about dentistry Startsmile.ru

Overview of correction methods

Each method of correcting crooked teeth has its own characteristics. To figure out how to correct very crooked teeth, consider all the means that are used for this:

Braces. These are small plates made of ceramic or metal that are attached to each individual tooth and connected to each other with a special arch. The plates apply uniform pressure on the teeth, gradually leveling their position. Most models of braces are installed on the front part of the teeth, so the plates are visible when speaking. But there are also special, lingual braces. They are placed on the inside of the teeth. This design is more expensive, but it does not spoil the smile at all.
Mouthguards. These are removable plastic structures that the patient can remove and install himself. It is important that the more often the trays are used, the faster a positive result will be achieved. Typically, mouthguards are used to correct crooked front teeth. The mouth guards themselves are used to correct the bite in children, and they are often placed on adults only to consolidate the achieved result.
Trainers. Removable devices that are worn at night. They are used only to correct minor malocclusions and crooked teeth.
Plates. Made from plastic or metal. They are attached to teeth or crowns with special hooks. Most often used to correct bite in children with small defects.
Veneers. In fact, these are onlays that do not eliminate a tooth defect, but only hide it. Therefore, the question of whether veneers will correct crooked teeth can have only one answer: it is physically impossible if the entire dentition is deformed. But in fact, installing veneers on crooked teeth will help if their surface is uneven. In this case, veneers will simply hide the desired areas
Lumineers. Their installation also allows you to correct minor defects. In fact, lumineers are similar to veneers: they are also glued to the surface of the tooth to level it. But lumineers are thinner than veneers, although this does not affect their strength.
Restoration and prosthetics of crooked teeth. This is a special type of treatment in which each tooth is straightened individually with crowns or composite material. Under the light of a special lamp, it quickly hardens and is completely indistinguishable from an ordinary tooth. The only disadvantage of composite restorations for crooked teeth is that the material can be stained with food coloring.

Sometimes even braces or veneers are not enough to straighten crooked teeth. A crooked tooth can be corrected with a crown, but if the dentition is deformed due to the eruption of a wisdom tooth or anatomical abnormalities of the jaw, surgical intervention may be required. For example, straightening the dentition in some patients can only be done by removing a wisdom tooth, which puts pressure on neighboring teeth and moves them.

Celebrities have uneven teeth

Despite their publicity and considerable wealth, some celebrities do not strive for the perfect smile. Keira Knightley sets an example of integrity: she categorically refuses to correct her bite and uneven lower teeth. The actress claims that this does not affect her demand for films. Kirsten Dunst considers uneven front teeth to be her highlight and is also in no hurry to see an orthodontist. Steve Buscemi demonstrates miracles of self-confidence. He sincerely believes that he would cease to be himself if he decided to correct his uneven teeth. Eva Longoria also has no plans to correct her uneven lower front teeth, although it would seem that this woman definitely strives to be perfect in everything. But no, a standard smile is not her choice!

How much does it cost to fix crooked teeth?

If you want to know what to do about crooked teeth, the first step is to consult a qualified orthodontist. He will determine which method is best to use and install a corrective system.

Modern dentistry offers a wide range of systems for correcting crooked teeth and malocclusion. They all vary in cost. It is important to choose not only a correction method that is suitable for the price, but also to contact qualified specialists.

There are not so many orthodontists with the required qualifications (as well as dentists of other specializations), but at the 32 Dent clinic there are specialists who install braces, veneers and other bite correction systems for adults and children. It’s also nice that the clinic has fairly affordable prices, so almost all patients can correct their crooked teeth.

What is the best way to correct the position of teeth?

We have listed the main reasons why teeth grow uneven. How can we fix them? Braces are an effective and well-proven method of treating any malocclusion. But they are not comfortable for all people, and not everyone wants to wear a fixed structure on their teeth.

An alternative is aligners - transparent, removable aligners made of polymer material. They have the same effectiveness as braces, but wearing comfort is incomparably higher.

In terms of speed of bite correction, aligners show themselves to be on par with modern non-ligature braces. And in some cases they work even faster. For many patients, it is enough to wear aligners for only 8-10 months. Moreover, if the patient follows the recommendations, the result remains for life.

Teeth straightening – the price of the issue

Methods for straightening crooked teeth have been described above. Now let's take a closer look at the cost of each of them:

Installation of braces. The cost depends on the type of system used. For example, the price of sapphire braces starts from 20 thousand rubles. Metal systems are cheaper (about 10 thousand rubles), and the most modern, invisible lingual braces will cost 50 thousand.
Correcting small bite defects with mouth guards costs from 50 thousand rubles per jaw.
An initial course of bite correction with a trainer from a qualified specialist will cost 15 thousand rubles. The advantage of this treatment method is that it is absolutely painless, does not harm the teeth and can be used to correct the bite even in young children.
Veneers and lumineers. The cost of restoring teeth using these plates depends on many factors. First of all, the price varies depending on the material and the manufacturing company. In addition, the final cost depends on the number of teeth being corrected. On average, the price of one veneer ranges from 10 to 12 thousand rubles including installation.
The cost of dental restoration is determined individually, depending on the materials used and the location of the teeth. For example, the price of composite restoration of crooked front teeth starts from 7 thousand rubles. It is cheaper to restore side teeth: from five thousand.

If you plan to install crowns, the price will depend on the material used. In addition, additional costs may arise during treatment for adjustments to alignment systems.

Improper development of the dental system

This is a problem for our entire civilization. The fact is that in the distant past, people ate very coarse, hard food. And his dental system functioned 100%, so it developed correctly. Modern man mainly eats freeze-dried, soft food. Sandwiches, mashed potatoes, and sausages do not require long chewing. Teeth do not receive the functional load for which they are designed. Although there are still 32 teeth, the jaw bones themselves do not develop sufficiently. Therefore, crowding and other dental abnormalities often occur.

Sometimes parents feed their child soft, crushed food for too long and do not teach him to chew. After one year, solid foods should gradually appear in children's diets. Then the teeth receive sufficient load and the jaws develop.

The child must gradually become accustomed to solid foods so that the teeth receive stress.