Straightening teeth enhances their functionality, making chewing, biting, and speaking more effective compared to crooked teeth. Furthermore, a straight smile boosts confidence, is visually appealing, and can prevent various dental issues.
Different types of malocclusion, such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding, negatively impact both the functionality and cosmetic appearance of teeth.
Here’s an overview of some common disorders associated with crooked teeth:
- Periodontitis: Gum disease starts with a bacterial infection due to insufficient oral hygiene. Crooked teeth are difficult to clean thoroughly, allowing debris, plaque, and bacteria to accumulate in inaccessible areas. Straight teeth are easier to clean and less prone to gum disease.
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ): Improper jaw alignment caused by crooked teeth can lead to TMJ, a painful condition characterized by severe headaches, jaw pain, lockjaw, and teeth grinding.
- Tooth Injury: Straight teeth create a strong barrier, reducing the likelihood of injury. Crooked teeth, being weaker and protruding, are more vulnerable to external damage.
- Uneven Wear: Crooked teeth distribute the workload unevenly during biting and chewing, causing some teeth to work harder than others. Straight teeth distribute the workload evenly, minimizing the risk of injury and enhancing aesthetics.
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Methods for Straightening Teeth
Teeth can be straightened using orthodontic braces or customized aligning trays. Orthodontic braces are fixed to the teeth for a specific duration. Orthodontists regularly tighten the brackets and archwires until the treatment is complete. These braces can be placed on the front or back of the teeth and are effective for various malocclusions.
Aligning trays, on the other hand, are fully removable and suitable for less severe malocclusions where teeth need to move shorter distances. These trays are replaced every few weeks throughout the treatment and are equally effective in straightening teeth.
If you have any questions about orthodontic procedures and teeth straightening, please consult your orthodontist for more information.
