Why Do I Have Wonky Teeth?

There are lots of things that could cause your teeth to become misaligned, but more than likely it is just bad luck, coupled with genetics, i.e. if your parents have wonky teeth, chances are, that’s where you have got yours from. Dental trauma can also cause misalignments, particularly if it happens before the adult teeth come through; accidents can damage the sockets or reposition the teeth before the milk teeth have even fallen out – this is a common cause of orthodontic problems in later life. It’s possible that your wonky teeth can be blamed on bad oral hygiene too; if you have lost one or more to decay, it will cause the rest of the teeth to work harder as the pressure is redistributed throughout the mouth, missing teeth can lead to jaw problems, and severe misalignments as the remaining teeth start to press on each other in different ways. This is why it is important to deal with dental problems when they first appear, as they tend to get worse as time passes.

Wisdom teeth can also cause orthodontic problems, as they erupt through the tissue and force their way onto the gum line – even people with the straightest teeth can suffer crowding or spacing issues as this occurs. Our wisdom teeth tend to come through in the early to mid-twenties, but can appear much later in some people. If the issue is purely aesthetic (causing misalignment as the front teeth are forced out of position), then the dentist may decide to leave them in place and deal with the misalignment using an orthodontic method, however, if the wisdom teeth show signs of decay or infection, they will need to be extracted. Impacted wisdom teeth are fairly common, and won’t always cause such problems, but they do usually have to be monitored over time.

What kind of treatment is available for wonky teeth?

There are numerous systems available on the dental market to help with misaligned teeth or uneven bites; it’s just a matter of selecting the right one for your individual circumstances. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best way forward, but to help you out in the meantime, take a look at a brief overview of the various braces and aligners on offer;

Fixed braces – Often described as ‘train tracks’, these metal braces are made up of brackets and wires that are permanently adhered to the front of the teeth for the duration of the treatment. This type of brace is usually what springs to mind when orthodontics are discussed, and it’s often what puts most adults off having treatment for dental problems. Although they are not as discreet as more modern techniques, fixed braces are still widely used in the industry, simply because they are very effective, particularly with extreme cases, where no other options are available. The downside to metal ‘train tracks’ is that they are very noticeable, and they sometimes need to be worn for long periods of time before the desired movement is performed. They can also be difficult to get used to and it can take several weeks before the patient becomes completely accustomed to wearing and cleaning them properly.

Removable braces – Clear aligners are the most popular type of removable device, for obvious reasons; they can be taken out when eating, and they are almost invisible when worn – in fact, they are referred to as ‘invisible braces’. Patients with very wonky teeth won’t be suitable for this kind of treatment, as the aligners have only limited movement, but those with minor misalignments or crowding could benefit from a fast-acting, effective system, such as Invisalign or Simpli5. The great thing about braces like this is that they work quickly, but don’t apply too much pressure to the teeth as they are repositioned. Each system tends to work using a set of aligners, rather than just one appliance, and once the first aligner has performed fully, the second one can be fitted, and so on, until the treatment is complete.

Lingual braces – These braces are often mixed up with traditional metal braces, because they consist of similar components – wires and brackets, but they are actually applied very differently. Lingual braces are crafted to fit each individual tooth perfectly, and they are fixed to the back of the teeth, instead of the front. This kind of system is ideal for those patients who are not suitable for aligners, but don’t want their braces to be obvious when smiling or talking. Because they are fitted to the back of the teeth, it does mean that lingual braces take slightly longer to reposition them, and they can sometimes be cumbersome when eating or cleaning, but not to the point where they are too difficult to cope with. Furthermore, because lingual devices have to be manufactured to the patient’s individual specifications, they are more expensive than other systems, but most people would agree that a discreet appliance is worth paying a little extra for.

Inman aligners – You could consider the Inman aligner a sort of hybrid of fixed and removable braces, because it takes the best components from each system and puts them together into one device. The Inman Company have only recently begun trading in the UK, so you might find it a bit harder to come by one of their products, but it won’t be long before patients all over the country are requesting these award-winning designs. The aligner is made up of hard-wearing resin combined with metal springs that apply pressure to the back of the front teeth, whilst at the same time making sure they are brought into line with a wire that runs around the outside.  Inman aligners are not suitable for severe cases of misalignment, but they can work very effectively with patients who have crowded or slightly wonky teeth.

If you are looking for the best in modern dental treatment, then look no further than the Pearl Dental Clinic; their professional, highly-trained team are always on hand to discuss the options with you, or to book an appointment right away.