Crooked Teeth: The Link to Overall Oral Health and Wellness

Dentists use braces or clear aligners to straighten crooked teeth. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are customised to fit the individual patient’s mouth and apply gentle pressure on the teeth to move them into the desired position gradually.

In contrast, dental braces utilise brackets, wires, and rubber bands that apply pressure to the teeth to move them into place. With both methods, patients may need several adjustment appointments to achieve their desired look.

The length of treatment for crooked teeth depends on the severity of the misalignment and the type of treatment used. Total management time is also affected by how well patients follow their at-home care instructions and attend regular checkups. The following are the average times for the treatment of crooked teeth:

• Traditional metal braces: around 24 to 36 months
• Clear aligners: about 6 to 18 months

Please book a consultation appointment at Dental @ Niddrie so we can evaluate your condition and give you an estimated timeline based on your specific case.

Here are some estimated values on the cost of straightening crooked teeth:

• Traditional metal braces: starts at approximately $4,500
• Ceramic braces: starts at approximately $5,000
• Lingual braces for a single arch: starts at approximately $7,500
• Lingual braces full treatment: approximately $12,500
• Invisalign treatments: starts at approximately $6,000
• SureSmile Aligners: ranges from $2,250 to $8,250

Different factors can affect the cost of straightening crooked teeth, such as the complexity of your case, the location of the clinic, and the materials used.

We highly recommend you schedule a dental consultation with our dental team at Dental @ Niddrie. Our experienced dentists will assess your case, explain the procedure, the estimated cost, and other information you need to decide how to align your crooked teeth.

Crooked teeth can cause improper jaw alignment, leading to TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. It may result in headaches and pain in the jaw joints and muscles.

Additionally, crooked teeth may increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. The bacteria from the tooth cavity and gum disease may travel through the blood and infect the heart. This can result in endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner lining of the chambers and valves of the heart.

Gum disease can also lead to a higher risk of diabetes since any inflammation in the body can increase the sugar level in the blood.

Most orthodontic treatments are available to people of all ages. It is important to note that the recommended age for beginning treatment may vary depending on the individual and the specific braces or aligners used.

A twisted and improperly spaced tooth is a sign of crooked teeth. If you are concerned that your teeth may be crooked, you must visit your dentist for an evaluation.

The following are ways to prevent your child from developing crooked teeth:

• Let them have regular dental checkups so that the dentist can monitor the development of their teeth and jaw as they grow. It will help in the early detection and treatment of developing crooked teeth.
• Prevent them from thumb-sucking and limiting their use of pacifiers. It will prevent excessive pressure on the palate and floor of the mouth, which disrupts the average jaw growth.
• Teach them good oral hygiene earlier in their life so that they can maintain good oral health. It will prevent premature tooth loss of their baby teeth.

It is essential to wear a retainer after straightening your crooked teeth. It maintains your teeth in their new position. In general, you will need to wear your retainer full-time for the first two years. From the third year onwards, with the permission of your dentist, you can wear your retainers only at night.

Crooked teeth can make it more difficult to clean some areas of the teeth and gums. It increases your risk of developing other dental problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease.