Crooked Teeth

When the teeth in the mouth are not well aligned, we refer to them as crooked, wonky, overcrowded, irregular, overlapping, twisted or malaligned. It can be unsightly, and very crooked teeth can be troublesome to keep clean.

Almost nobody is born with perfectly straight teeth. crooked teeth can affect someone’s confidence and they may be unwilling or embarrassed to smile publicly. Thankfully, there are several options available for straightening crooked teeth and the team at Tunbridge Wells Orthodontics will be delighted to work with you to create a smile you’ll be proud of.

What causes crooked teeth?

There are several factors that can cause crooked or malaligned teeth. The main reason is overcrowding. Overcrowding occurs when there is a discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the available space within the jaws. The jaws of modern-day humans are not as big as our ancestors’ were because we have moved on to a more refined and processed diet. For this reason, overcrowding is extremely common.

Another leading cause of crooked teeth is a phenomenon known as late incisor crowding. For reasons nobody fully understands, teeth tend to drift towards the middle of the mouth as we get older. The extent and timing of this varies immensely between individuals. This can be an extremely frustrating issue as someone may have had perfectly straight teeth for decades only to see them get worse later in life.

Can crooked teeth be straightened with aligners?

Yes, there are several options for aligning crooked teeth. Your specialist at Tunbridge Wells Orthodontics has over a decade of experience in correcting crooked teeth. Invisalign clear aligners have become an increasingly popular way to fix crooked teeth due to their concealed appearance and convenience of use.

At what age should crooked teeth be corrected?

There is no age restriction on having crooked teeth straightened. It is very normal and socially acceptable for adults of all ages to undergo teeth straightening procedures.

Most of the time, treatment for children with crooked teeth is not started until all the baby teeth have been lost and the permanent teeth all come through. There are of course exceptions to this rule, and if you have any doubts, please bring your child to see our specialist orthodontist.

How do I get started with braces for crooked teeth?

To get started, come and see Dr Woodhouse for a no-obligation free consultation where he will assess you, and discuss treatment options and costs.