Teeth Crowding orthodontic treatment in Melbourne
Crowding problems
Crowding is a discrepancy between the tooth size and jaw size and results in a lack of space for all of the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may become twisted, displaced or pushed forward as a result of the crowding.
This problem is often due to improper eruption of teeth, early or late loss of primary or baby teeth, cleft lip, cleft palate or irregular tooth size. Crowding is often noticed in children as young as six, when they start getting their adult teeth. Untreated, crowding may worsen, as the adult teeth require even more room.
Associated issues
Patients with dental crowding can also experience other associated issues, including:
- tooth decay – as it may be difficult to clean teeth that are too close together or overlapping
- difficulty biting, chewing or speaking
- periodontal disease – including gingivitis (infection of the gums) and infection of other structures around the teeth (periodontal ligament and tissues)
- self-consciousness about their appearance
Causes
Crowding can be caused by several factors, including:
- inheritance – other family members may also have dental crowding
- thumb sucking, finger sucking, or prolonged use of a dummy or bottle (after about three years of age) – these can alter the alignment of the teeth
Treatment options
With early intervention, correction of crowding can generally be achieved by influencing facial growth to expand the area available for emerging teeth. If identified later, extraction of teeth may be the anotheroption.
The treatment possibilities will be discussed with you at your free initial consultation. These include:
- braces (including traditional bracket and wire braces or clear ‘Invisalign’ braces)
- expander plates (either removable or fixed)
- extraction of teeth (especially if the issue is identified in older patients)
FAQs
What is crowding of the teeth?
Dental crowding is a discrepancy between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaws, meaning that there is not enough room in the mouth for the teeth to align properly. The teeth often become twisted or displaced.
What causes crowding of the teeth?
Dental crowding can be due to an improper eruption of teeth, early or late loss of primary teeth, cleft lip, cleft palate or irregular tooth size. Crowding is often noticed in children as young as six, when they start getting their adult teeth. Untreated, crowding generally worsens, as the adult teeth require even more room.
Do wisdom teeth cause crowding?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final molars to erupt (push through) and normally do this in adulthood, . Sometimes the wisdom teeth can become impacted (wedged between another tooth and the jaw). Whether the wisdom teeth are erupted or impacted, they can sometimes cause crowding as they exert pressure on the teeth in front of them, pushing those teeth out of alignment.
Can crowding be treated in older people?
Crowding of the teeth can occur at any age. As the teeth move constantly throughout a person’s life, it is not uncommon for older people to seek treatment for crowding. Treatment in older people is successful but is more likely to require tooth extraction than in young children.
Is tooth extraction always necessary in the treatment of crowding?
If the issue is identified early enough, teeth do not usually need to be extracted. In some cases, especially with older patients, the orthodontist may recommend extraction of one or more teeth to make room for the remaining teeth.
What are the treatment costs?
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