Crooked teeth can not only affect your oral health, but they can also affect your confidence. Addressing crooked teeth can not only restore health and function to your smile, but it can also improve the appearance of your smile. They are one of the common orthodontic concerns that Dr. Wayne Sankey treats. During your consultation, he will suggest the best treatment for your crooked teeth in Flowers Mound, TX.
Dr. Sankey is in the top 1% of Invisalign orthodontic providers nationwide. He provides long-term, personalized solutions for your orthodontics needs. If you would like to explore the numerous treatment options we offer for crooked teeth, visit our team at Flower Mound Orthodontics. We offer traditional braces and clear aligner systems for adult and teen patients.
How To Fix Crooked Teeth in Flower Mound, TX
Straightening crooked teeth can be achieved through several different orthodontic methods. This range of treatments includes anything from Invisalign to traditional metal braces. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the extent of your orthodontic problems, your cosmetic goals, and your budget. Dental professionals are trained to examine your smile and determine which treatment will best suit your needs.
Our team at Flower Mound Orthodontics can work with you to build a personalized treatment plan that is right for you. We will discuss each treatment step before beginning to ensure that you understand the process and at-home care throughout treatment. Your treatment options may include one of the following orthodontic treatments:
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces use brackets and wires to gradually and precisely move teeth into their desired positions. The brackets are cemented to each tooth, and an orthodontist periodically tightens the wires. This constant pressure reshapes the teeth and aligns them over time, correcting crookedness and bite issues. To learn more about how braces work, see Types of Dental Braces.
Invisalign
The Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to fix crooked teeth. These custom-made aligners gradually shift teeth into the desired position by applying gentle and controlled force. As patients progress through their series of clear aligners, their teeth move incrementally until they achieve the desired alignment. This treatment is less noticeable than traditional braces. To learn more about this clear aligner orthodontic treatment, see Invisalign Clear Braces.
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen works similarly to standard Invisalign. It uses clear, removable aligners that gently move crooked teeth into the proper position over time. However, Invisalign Teen includes features like compliance indicators and replacement aligners. This helps accommodate teenagers’ active lifestyles and growth, allowing them to enjoy this discreet and effective orthodontic treatment. To learn more about Invisalign for teens, see Invisalign Teen Braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces function like traditional metal braces. However, they use clear or tooth-colored brackets and wires instead of metal. They apply consistent pressure on teeth, guiding them into their desired positions over time. Ceramic braces effectively correct crooked teeth while offering a more discreet appearance than metal braces. To learn more about them, see Types of Dental Braces.
Do Crooked Teeth Affect Your Oral Health?
Crooked teeth can lead to gum disease.
With crooked teeth, bacteria have more places to hide; as a result, bacteria can stick to the teeth and may eventually develop into plaque. When plaque is not properly removed, it can increase a patient’s gum disease and tooth decay risk. In the advanced stages of gum disease, a patient may experience premature tooth loss.
Having crooked teeth can make cleaning your teeth and gums difficult.
It can be a challenge to clean crooked teeth. The bristle of the toothbrush and floss can not properly reach all surfaces of the teeth, making it more difficult to keep the teeth and gums clean. When the teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, it can lead to oral health issues such as gum disease and tooth decay.
Crooked teeth can cause bad breath.
Bad breath can occur when debris and bacteria are not adequately removed from the mouth. When patients have crooked teeth, it is easier for places and bacteria to become stuck in the cervices, causing bad breath. It can also be very difficult to remove and clean teeth when they are crooked, which can impact your overall oral hygiene.
Crooked teeth can make it difficult to chew.
It can be more difficult to chew if a patient has an overbite, underbite, protruding teeth, or other orthodontic issues. When the teeth rub against each other, it may also lead to digestion complications. This can largely impact patients’ lives, so we suggest orthodontic treatment to align your smile and make it easier to chew and digest.
What Causes Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth may be caused by one or more of the following factors:
- Facial injury
- Premature loss of the baby teeth
- Genetics
- Poor dental habits
- Excessive use of a pacifier, thumb sucking, or using the teeth as tools
Crooked Teeth FAQs
If you want to correct your crooked teeth, Dr. Sankey can find the right treatment for you. Do you have further questions about crooked teeth and how orthodontics can align your smile? We encourage patients to continue reading to find the answers to frequently asked questions about crooked teeth. Contact Flower Mound Orthodontics if you have additional questions.
Can crooked teeth affect my facial structure?
In some very rare cases, severe teeth misalignment can lead to subtle changes in facial appearance. However, this is very uncommon. The most impact crooked teeth have on appearance is with your smile.
Can crooked teeth make it difficult to clean between teeth?
Yes, crooked teeth make it harder to clean between your teeth. It creates tight spaces that make it a challenge to clean. This significantly increases your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.
Does Invisalign work for slightly crooked teeth?
Invisalign does work to straighten crooked teeth. Braces are needed in some extremely severe cases to help straighten teeth, but aligners generally work to straighten misaligned teeth. Invisalign treatment best suits less severe tooth misalignment. Other orthodontic treatment options may better suit your needs if you have severely misaligned teeth.
Who is a good candidate for Invisalign?
Any patient wishing to realign their teeth and is willing to commit to wearing aligners 22 hours per day is a good candidate for Invisalign. You must stay committed to wearing your aligners full-time each day for treatment to be successful. Before undergoing Invisalign treatment, patients should be aware that it is a full-time commitment that they are making.
What is a faster treatment, braces or Invisalign?
In most cases treatment times for braces and Invisalign are close together, however, Invisalign may be faster sometimes. The average treatment time for braces is between 18-24 months, while the average time with Invisalign is 12 months. This varies from patient to patient, however Invisalign is commonly used to treat less severe tooth misalignment which may be why treatment times may be slightly faster than braces.
Can crooked teeth lead to speech problems?
Crooked teeth can lead to speech problems. Severe misalignment can affect your bite and impede your tongue and lip movements. In some cases, correcting crooked teeth may improve speech clarity.
Is it okay to live with crooked teeth?
Yes, it is generally okay to live with crooked teeth if they do not cause any functional problems or discomfort. However, crooked teeth can sometimes lead to issues such as difficulty cleaning, which increases the risk of decay and gum disease, and may affect your bite or speech. We suggest that you schedule a consultation with Dr. Sankey to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Can I fix my crooked teeth without braces?
Yes, Dr. Sankey offers several orthodontic treatments that can fix crooked teeth without braces. He also offers alternatives like Invisalign clear aligners, which are nearly invisible and removable. Other options include dental veneers, which cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. Dental bonding is also an option if you suffer from mild crooked teeth. We suggest that you book a consultation with Dr. Sankey to learn more about your options.
Can crooked teeth lead to tooth decay?
Yes, crooked teeth can lead to tooth decay. Tooth misalignment creates hard-to-reach areas in your mouth that make it difficult to clean your teeth properly. When you are unable to clean your teeth thoroughly, it allows plaque and bacteria to accumulate. This accumulation increases your risk of cavities and gum disease. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental check-ups are essential to managing these risks.
Will my crooked teeth get worse without treatment?
Yes, without treatment, it is possible for crooked teeth to get worse over time. Factors such as natural shifting, tooth loss, and jaw growth can increase misalignment. These factors can lead to more pronounced dental issues, such as difficulty cleaning, increased risk of decay, gum disease, and bite problems. Regular dental check-ups and considering orthodontic treatment can help prevent these complications.
Straighten Crooked Teeth in Flower Mound, TX
To explore your treatment options for crooked teeth near you, visit our trusted team of professionals at Flower Mound Orthodontics. Dr. Sankey is a respected and highly trained orthodontist in the Lewisville area. He works with patients individually to offer conservative solutions for their orthodontic concerns. To learn more about your treatment options, call (972) 539-4747 or request an appointment online.