The Importance of Fixing Overcrowded Teeth and How Invisalign Can Make It Easy

Crowded teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern. They can also put you at risk for dental and whole health risks. Because of this, correcting overcrowded teeth is not something you should put off. Thanks to Drs. Chris Wujick, Lester Castillo, Frank Moss, and Jason Kopakin at Boulevard Dental and their desire to provide the Invisalign treatment to their patients, those in Seminole and Clearwater, Florida, are one step closer to straighter, more aligned teeth.

Symptoms of Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth adversely affect your bite, speech, and other areas of your health. Knowing the symptoms of crowded teeth will help you identify the problem and assess possible treatment options. 

Overlapping Teeth is a telltale sign that your teeth are crowded. When teeth become overlapped, they will also appear to be crooked. This crowding will often result from having a jaw or dental arch too small for all your teeth to fit properly. You may experience issues brushing or flossing correctly. People with overlapping teeth are at a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

According to a 2017 paper released in Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, the human jawbone has been shrinking over time. Because of this, it is harder for the jawbone to accommodate the same amount of teeth it once did, another reason teeth crowding has become more prevalent in recent years. 

Other symptoms of crowded teeth can include:

• Improper alignment of the upper and lower teeth
• Biting of the inner cheeks or tongue
• Pain in the jaw
• Discomfort when you bite or chew
• Speech difficulties, including a lisp
• Difficulties with proper breathing

Factors Which Can Lead to Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth are typically an inherited trait (something passed from one generation to the next), so you will likely see similar crowding and misalignments with parents and siblings, there are some particular habits and external conditions which can also alter the shape or structure of the jaw. Some of these include:

• Thumb sucking in children after the age of 3 or 4
• Excessive use of bottles during early childhood years
• The prolonged use of a pacifier by children over the age of 3
• Injuries or trauma to the face and/or jaw
• A cleft in the palate or lip
• Premature loss of baby teeth
• Gum disease
• Prolonged and excessive pressure on the gums and teeth
• Abnormally shaped tooth or teeth

Why is it Important to Correct Crooked Teeth?

A very obvious reason individuals choose Invisalign to correct dental issues, including crooked teeth, is to improve their smile’s appearance. However, getting past cosmetic appearances, some health concerns can also arise due to crowded teeth.

Overcrowded teeth present dental hygiene issues as it is challenging to keep crooked teeth (caused by overcrowding) properly brushed. You may also find it difficult to fit floss between teeth that are overlapped or are too close together. Awkward angles only enhance this problem. When you cannot clean your teeth properly, you are at an increased risk of tooth decay.

Other parts of your body can be affected as well. You can develop gum disease when your oral health suffers due to the inability to keep your teeth and gums adequately cleaned. Studies have found that gum disease increases the risk of other whole health issues, including cardiovascular disease and heart attack. 

These are just a few reasons why getting overcrowded and crooked teeth corrected is essential. Invisalign clear aligners are a trusted and effective treatment.

Does Invisalign Help Correct Crowded Teeth?

When you visit your dentist, and it is found that your crooked teeth are caused by overcrowding, some form of imaging will be taken of your teeth and supporting structures via X-rays, three-dimensional imaging, etc. Using these images, the precise positioning of your teeth and their roots will be determined and, once a proper diagnosis has been made, Invisalign could be prescribed as the proper treatment. Invisalign works fantastically as a treatment to correct and straighten crowded teeth.

The dental technology behind Invisalign can correct spacing problems and effectively help patients with crowded teeth. Invisalign may be an ideal treatment option for you if:

• You suffer from dental issues, including an overbite, crossbite, gapped or crowded teeth. Teeth that are severely misaligned may necessitate additional treatment.
• You are seeking a subtle and discreet dental treatment option. Invisalign works great for both adults and teens seeking a dental treatment that is removable, comfortable, and near-invisible (unlike traditional braces).
• Can keep your clear braces on throughout the day. This treatment will only be as effective as you allow it, and you will be asked to keep the aligners on for a minimum of 22 hours a day. While you can take them off to eat, drink, and perform your dental hygiene, you should try to keep them on throughout the rest of the day.

The Benefits of Invisalign

Some of the most significant and lauded benefits of Invisalign include:

• Improved Appearance: Unlike traditional braces, the clear aligners provided by Invisalign are nearly invisible, allowing you to maintain an attractive smile throughout the length of treatment.
• Improved Dental Hygiene: Because you can remove the clear aligners anytime you need to eat, drink, or clean your teeth, keeping clean teeth, gums, and aligners will never be more manageable.
• Personal Treatment: Because every aligner provided to you results from precise three-dimensional impressions of your teeth, they will fit perfectly, and you will never find a more comfortable treatment for correcting overcrowded teeth.

If you are ready to correct teeth that are crooked due to overcrowding, you should consider the Invisalign clear aligners treatment system provided by Drs. Chris Wujick, Lester Castillo, and Frank Moss in our Seminole, Florida office by calling (727) 308-6224. If you are in the Clearwater, Florida area, you can reach Dr. Jason Kopakin at (727) 758-2898.