Correcting a Crooked Smile: The Importance of Straight Teeth

Learn How Malocclusion Can Affect Your Oral Health

Crooked teeth can occur for a number of reasons. In fact, about 64% of Americans are affected by some form of malocclusion, which can sometimes lead to more serious health issues if not addressed. Taking the necessary steps to have crooked teeth corrected can award you the benefits of a radiant smile while helping to improve your overall health.

The best way to treat crooked teeth, also known as malocclusion, depends greatly on each patient’s unique bone structure and oral needs. It can present itself in various ways, such as the common overbite to simple spacing issues between teeth. While there are various dental treatments to help improve your smile, some of which are listed below, we recommend you have an initial consultation with a dental expert such as Dr. Beaufils to better assess and assist you in finding the best treatment for your style of bite.

Understanding Malocclusion

Unless you’re spending some time around orthodontists, it’s unlikely this is a word you’ll hear used very often. It can refer to a number of alignment issues in your mouth and, if left untreated, can affect your periodontal health.

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But how do you know what type of malocclusion you have? For starters, a dental exam with a qualified dental health care professional or an orthodontist can help you identify your unique jaw structure and identify any signs of malocclusion in the mouth. For some patients, the presence of an overbite or an edge-to-edge bite can be seen in the mirror, but you will still need to visit a dentist to understand the best course of treatment.

Even a slight misalignment of one or two teeth can pose a risk of trapping food particles or harmful bacteria in between the teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing do not always manage to eliminate tartar and plaque from those hard-to-reach areas, causing gingivitis or periodontitis to develop.

Additionally, misalignment can affect your comfortability and quality of life, causing jaw joint pain, sore teeth and gums, or chipped or fractured teeth. This happens because uneven amounts of pressure are being distributed to your jawbone, which can ultimately result in premature tooth wear if you chose to leave it untreated.

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Malocclusion Treatment Options

Traditionally, correcting straight teeth would require clunky braces that may be cumbersome or take a long time to see results. Thankfully, we now have other options. For more involved cases of malocclusion, you will typically need some type of orthodontic treatment. The most popular choice is Invisalign, as it offers a discreet way to comfortably correct any misalignment or spacing issue in the mouth. Invisalign is a set of custom-made clear aligners that work to straighten your teeth gradually over time.

Some patients may choose to consider another method, such as porcelain veneers. Keep in mind, if your malocclusion is very severe, you may require orthodontic treatment before you are allowed to consider this route. However, if you are choosing to correct minor spacing or alignment issues, veneers may be all you need. They are sometimes known as an “instant orthodontic treatment”, as they can easily correct imperfections such as overcrowding or spacing, which can cause gaps or crooked teeth, in as little as two visits. Plus, porcelain has stain-resistant qualities which makes it an excellent choice for dental work.

Straight Teeth are Healthier Teeth

Dental health care has come a long way from its beginnings, with many technological breakthroughs helping us receive more precise, comfortable treatments at affordable rates. At Beaufils Dental, we work with patients of all ages and budgets to help them receive top-quality oral care. To learn more about our restorative and cosmetic dentistry services, contact our Cooper City office at 954-252-1390 today!