Misaligned teeth are one of the rising problems among people. According to the National Library of Medicine, up to 93% of children and adults face malocclusion at some point in their lives. Malocclusion refers to misaligned teeth. It is not impossible to achieve perfectly aligned teeth nowadays. Dentistry has introduced many in-office and remote treatments to fix your smile. Some common dental misalignments include bite problems (crossbite, underbite, overbite), tooth spacing, and teeth crowding. It is important to detect these problems at an early stage before they lead to relapse.
In this blog, you will come to know different types of dental misalignments and treatments that help you fix your dental problems.
Common Types of Dental Misalignments
1. Overbite
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth. This can lead to gum irritation and wear on the lower teeth. Treatment options include affordable clear aligners, braces, or surgery in severe cases.
2. Underbite
An underbite is characterized by the lower front teeth protruding beyond the upper front teeth. This misalignment can cause difficulties in chewing and speech problems. Treatment options include braces, reverse pull headgear, or surgery.
3. Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. This condition can lead to tooth wear and gum disease. Treatment options include clear aligners and braces.
4. Open Bite
An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed. This can result in speech difficulties and chewing problems. Treatment options include braces, behavior modification, or surgery.
5. Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth occur when there is insufficient space in the mouth, causing teeth to overlap. This can make cleaning difficult and increase the risk of cavities. Treatment options include braces, tooth extraction, or clear aligners.
6. Spacing (Diastema)
Spacing issues involve gaps between teeth, which can lead to food impaction and aesthetic concerns. Treatment options include braces and clear aligners.
7. Jaw Misalignment
Retainers are crucial for maintaining jaw alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment, like braces or aligners. They prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions, which can lead to a change in jaw alignment over time.
Causes of Dental Misalignments
There can be several causes for dental misalignment. The following are some of the common causes.
- Genetics and hereditary factors.
- Early loss of baby teeth.
- Injuries or trauma to the jaw.
- Poor oral habits and hygiene.
- Prolonged Thumb sucking
Treatment Options
Dentistry has evolved and introduced many treatments that help you fix dental misalignments.
Traditional Metal Braces
Overview: Traditional Braces are the most common type of braces made of high-grade stainless steel. Metal Braces use archwires and brackets to straighten your teeth. These are the most common types of braces well-suited for complex to severe cases. Metal Braces add colorful elastic bands to align your teeth and have a more unique and colorful smile.
Cost: It typically costs between $3,000 and $7,000
Treatment Duration: 18 to 36 months
Clear\Ceramic Braces
Overview: These are less visible braces and are made up of clear materials. Suitable for teenagers and adult patients having cosmetic concerns.
Cost: $4,000 and $8,000.
Treatment Duration: 18-36 months
Lingual Braces
Overview: These braces are placed on the back of your teeth. It’s a good option for people who don’t want visible braces however, it might hurt your tongue and become difficult to clean.
Cost: $5,000 to $13,000
Treatment Duration: 12-36 months
Self-Ligating Braces
Overview: These braces are made up of the same material as traditional mental braces. However, in self-ligating braces, you don’t require elastic bands as you do in traditional metal braces. It uses specialized clips rather than elastics to help the archwire place teeth in the desired position.
Cost: $2,000 to $7,000
Treatment Duration: 12-24 months
Clear Aligners
Overview: Clear Aligners are transparent, removable dental appliances that help you to align your teeth properly. Clear teeth aligners at home can help you maintain good oral hygiene. You can remove whenever you eat or brush your teeth.
Cost: $2000 to $10,000
Treatment Duration: 6-18 months (Note: Treatment Duration can vary depending on the severity of the case.)
Post-Treatment to maintain results
It is important to know that maintaining results is crucial, otherwise, your teeth will shift back to their original position. Retainers will help you in locking teeth into their corrected position. It is recommended to use retainers for a year. Weartime can vary depending on the severity of your case.
Wrap up
Misalignment issues can be fixed with appropriate treatment. Treatments like braces can be useful for the severe cases, while clear aligners can help you solve mild to moderate dental issues. Treatment options like braces and clear aligners can help you fix your crooked teeth, teeth spacing, teeth crowding, and bite problems. After having treatment according to your needs, you need retainers to maintain the progress of your teeth. Retainers can not be neglected, otherwise, they can move your teeth back to their old position. To know which treatment can work best in your case, it is recommended to visit an experienced orthodontist.