Dental Crowding: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Crowding

• 1Why Are My Teeth Crowded?

  Dental crowding can happen for a variety of reasons. Often the cause is genetic: the jaw is too small to support all the teeth, which compete for space when they grow in, causing them to grow in at unnatural angles.

  Other causes may be losing baby teeth early, extra adult teeth, overly-large or irregularly-shaped teeth, all of which can cause teeth to crowd. Your expert orthodontist will be able to assess the dental crowding and identify what may have caused it by discussing your health history.

• 2How Do I Know if My Teeth Are Crowded?

  If you have misaligned and/or rotated teeth, or have difficulty flossing, chewing, biting, or closing your mouth properly, these are all signs that you may have dental crowding. If you are having dental pain, jaw pain, general discomfort, or don’t like the way your smile looks, you may also be suffering from crowded teeth.

  Consult a licensed orthodontist to find out your specific diagnosis and to discuss treatment options: dental crowding can be corrected, with proper care from a licensed, experienced orthodontist.

• 3Can Crowded Teeth be Corrected?

  Yes! An expert orthodontist can help you treat your dental crowding. Overcrowding can cause bite problems, pain, discomfort, and embarrassment with one’s smile, so it’s best to treat overcrowding as soon as possible. Expert orthodontists can treat overcrowding with a variety of methods, including braces and Invisalign aligners.

  Each case is unique, and your skilled orthodontist will carefully create a treatment method designed to adjust each of your teeth into their correct alignment. No matter your age, orthodontic care can help correct your crowded teeth.

• 4Does Removing Teeth Help with Dental Crowding?

  It depends on the case: in certain cases, especially for those patients who have too many teeth, or have very severe crowding, removing teeth will help the issue and create room for the other teeth. For others, traditional orthodontic treatment will be able to correct the crowding and achieve straight teeth.

  Your skilled orthodontist will do a thorough examination, including x-rays, to determine what is causing the dental crowding and how best to correct it.

• 5Do Crowded Teeth Get Worse?

  Yes, crowding will get worse over time. Misaligned teeth can continue to compete for position, leading to more crowding and overlapping. Crowding makes proper oral hygiene harder, so over time, this can lead to bacteria growth and excessive plaque build-up, which has serious consequences for your health. It’s important to address dental crowding as soon as you can, to straighten the teeth and achieve a healthy smile.

  Orthodontists advise parents to bring children in for a consultation at age 7, so they can determine whether future orthodontic intervention will be needed to correct crowding. Crowding can be corrected at any age, by skilled orthodontists with medical-grade technology

• 6How Long Does It Take to Correct Crowded Teeth?

  Every treatment is unique, so it depends on your specific condition and the severity of the crowding in your mouth. In addition, the skill and experience of your orthodontist will determine the length of your treatment. Generally, mild cases can be corrected in 6-8 months, while more complex cases may take 12 months to 2 years. Your expert orthodontist is the most important tool for effective, timely treatment for crowded teeth.

• 7How Much Does It Cost to Correct Crowded Teeth?

  Each case of dental crowding is unique, and costs also depend on the treatment selected, the provider who treats you, and where you live. Treatment can cost anywhere between $1,700 to $9,000. Insurance can greatly offset your orthodontic care, and most orthodontic offices offer flexible monthly payment plans to help make payment easy and affordable.

• 8What is the Cheapest Way to Correct Crowded Teeth?

  Costs vary depending on the severity of the dental crowding, but generally, metal braces are the most cost-effective way to correct dental crowding. They are safe, effective, and reliable, and usually covered by dental insurance with orthodontic coverage.

  Metal braces can correct crowding for anywhere between $1,700 and $7,000, depending on the specifics of your case. Make sure you choose a dedicated, experienced orthodontist in an accredited orthodontic office: this will save you money overall and offer the most experienced, skilled professional care.

• 9Can Invisalign Aligners Correct Dental Crowding?

  Yes, when supervised by an expert orthodontist, Invisalign is an excellent treatment option for correcting dental crowding. Invisalign treatment has gained popularity since it was first introduced over 20 years ago. The clear aligners are convenient, comfortable, and effective, and patients love the discreet, nearly invisible appearance of the aligners.

  Invisalign treatment is carefully designed for the patient’s unique case by an expert, trained doctor, to precisely move teeth into their correct positions. Be sure to look for real Invisalign providers, and not off-brand companies like mail-order aligner brands, which offer a less-effective product for the same price.

• 10Can I Correct Dental Crowding at Home?

  No, it is not recommended that you attempt to correct your teeth at home. This can have serious consequences for your health. Orthodontists study for years to learn how to safely and effectively straighten teeth, using precise techniques and special equipment. Trying to use at-home materials like rubber bands to correct your dental crowding can damage your teeth and gums, sometimes causing permanent harm. In addition, using at-home DIY treatment kits can cause damage to your teeth due to lack of proper supervision.

  The American Association of Orthodontists has recently issued an advisory warning against mail-order aligner kits. Correcting dental crowding is a medical intervention and should be done by a licensed professional, with direct supervision in a real orthodontist’s office.

• 11What is the Fastest Way to Treat Dental Crowding?

  Choosing an expert, skilled orthodontist is the key to efficient, effective treatment. In the hands of a skilled provider, both braces and Invisalign are reliable tools. In some cases, Invisalign may be a faster treatment method than braces for treating dental crowding, although it depends on the severity of the crowding.

  Your skilled orthodontist will do a thorough examination of your teeth and determine the most effective, quick treatment method for your condition.

• 12How Do Braces Correct Dental Crowding?

  Your orthodontist uses braces to correct dental crowding. To do this, they attach small brackets to your teeth and connect these with a flexible, lightweight metal wire. The wire links the brackets and provides the force that moves the teeth slowly and safely into place, bringing your teeth into their proper positions and spreading them out to treat crowding. They may also use rubber bands for added leverage in correcting the crowding.

  Moving teeth requires years of training. Be sure to choose an experienced orthodontist who is equipped with the tools and skills necessary for addressing dental crowding. This will give your smile the best treatment and the longest-lasting results.

• 13How Does Invisalign Treatment Correct Dental Crowding?

  When used as a tool by an expert, skilled orthodontist, Invisalign aligners are a great treatment method for correcting dental crowding. When you visit the orthodontist for Invisalign aligners, the first step will be to take x-rays and iTero® 3D scans of your teeth and bite.

  Your orthodontist then custom designs a series of clear aligners that will safely and efficiently move your teeth into their correct positions and correct the dental crowding. Seek out the most experienced Invisalign provider you can find in your area, for the highest-quality care and most reliable, lasting results.

• 14How Much Does Invisalign Cost to Correct Dental Crowding?

  Costs vary depending on your specific case, but generally, you can expect to pay between $2,650 and $7,000 for Invisalign treatment to correct dental crowding. Finding an experienced orthodontist is the most important part of your orthodontic care.

  Do your research before choosing an Invisalign provider: a low cost may look appealing, but find out what’s included. Make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, including x-rays, attachments, and final retainers. Mail-order aligners do not use Invisalign, so their treatment may be less effective and end up costing more.

• 15How Much Do Braces Cost to Correct Dental Crowding?

  Braces costs will depend on the specifics of your case and where you get your orthodontic care, but you can generally expect to pay between $1,700 and $6,000 for metal or ceramic braces to treat dental crowding. Do your research before choosing a provider: make sure to go to a dedicated, licensed orthodontist, rather than a general dentist, for more experienced care, high-end equipment, and lower prices!