Misaligned teeth may be evident in some cases, but even teeth that look evenly placed and symmetrical can have bite issues. On the contrary, not all uneven-looking teeth will cause problems with jaw function. However, teeth that appear crowded together have a greater potential for developing tooth decay and gum disease because they are harder to clean even with the correct tools.

The only way to know for sure whether or not we can correct messed up teeth with braces is to schedule a consultation with an experienced Sacramento orthodontist like Dr. David Markham. In our Sacramento, CA, dental office, we will assess your tooth alignment and take x-rays to see what’s going on with your teeth and bite. We always provide a formal diagnosis and written treatment plan when we make orthodontic recommendations so you can understand your situation and make an informed decision.

Jaw Alignment Problems

Alignment refers to the position of the teeth in relation to each other. Bite refers to how well your top and bottom teeth fit together when you bite down and chew your food. Common bite dysfunctions include overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. If you suffer from any of these problems, it can lead to improper function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) when you open and close your jaw.

Most people think of TMJ disorder as being a popping or clicking sound in the jaw, but there is more to it than just that. The jaw joints have multiple moving parts, including ligaments, muscles, and the bones themselves. If your bite is not functioning properly, or your teeth are not aligning as they should, it can affect any of those moving parts and lead to chronic pain, headaches, damage to the teeth, bruxism, and even tooth loss.

The way your teeth fit together can also affect your breathing. Since the position of your jaw can affect your airway at night, orthodontic intervention and TMJ treatment may be able to treat or prevent patients from developing obstructive sleep apnea.

How Can You Fix Crooked Teeth?

For adults and older teens without bite issues, Invisalign® may be a preferable method of straightening teeth. Invisalign is not ideal for patients with severe malocclusion or bite issues, but it can improve your overall oral health and aesthetics without the limitations of conventional braces.

Traditional braces are always a reliable solution for more severe cases of misaligned or crowded teeth that also include bite issues. It will be more annoying to use than other solutions, but the results are completely worth it as it gives you straight teeth and a healthy and beautiful smile.

Sacramento’s early orthodontics treatment can also help correct crooked teeth from a very young age. If parents take their children to an orthodontist at a young age, they may have a chance at fixing growing issues before they get more complicated.

Best Way to Align One or Two Crooked Teeth?

It’s normal to be unhappy with a few teeth here and there. Patients will often have beautiful smiles that are slightly disturbed by a couple of misaligned teeth. Situations with isolated incidents like these don’t require putting metal braces on crooked teeth. Invisalign clear aligners can solve the problem discretely and in a much shorter time without the hassle that comes with installing and caring for traditional braces.

As with everything in dental health, it will depend on your specific case. In some extreme situations, you may need another type of orthodontic appliance to get the job done. Read or blog about The Best Way to Straighten One or Two Crooked Teeth to know which treatment is best for you and how it helps give you a more healthy smile.

Dangers of Crooked Teeth

Patients who have a proper bite but whose teeth appear crowded together should consider orthodontic treatment for their role in preserving oral health. When teeth that need braces are too close together or sit at odd angles, it can be hard to brush and floss them properly. Those tight spaces may be too small for toothbrush bristles to get in, but they aren’t too small for bacteria to enter.

If you can’t clean the teeth properly, you are at a much greater risk of developing cavities between your teeth and below the gum line. These hard-to-reach places are also hard for dentists to reach and restore with fillings, so prevention is the best approach.

Additionally, depending on how your teeth develop, you may suffer from extra wear on some teeth due to them not aligning properly when biting.

Start the Journey to a Healthy Smile With Us

If you are here looking for an “orthodontist near me” to find out whether you need crooked teeth braces or not, visit our Sacramento, CA, dental office. At Markham Orthodontics, we treat patients of all ages. We will assess your smile and let you know whether your teeth would benefit from orthodontic treatment. Contact our office today at 916-924-8970 to make an appointment or get your free consultation here.