Crowded Teeth: Causes & Treatment Options
Crowded teeth occur when there isn’t enough room in the jaw for teeth to sit side by side. The result is teeth that overlap, twist or push forward at odd angles. It’s one of the most common reasons people seek orthodontic treatment, and it’s treatable at any age.
In Summary
- Crowded teeth occur in the upper and lower jaw, when there isn’t enough space for the teeth to grow.
- The ideal age to treat crowded teeth with early intervention is between 7-10 years old.
- There are a number of causes, ranging from genetics to oral habits and thumb sucking.
- Mild and moderate cases can be treated with Invisalign, while some cases may require fixed braces and tooth extraction.
What are crowded teeth?
Crowded teeth are a common orthodontic issue that occurs when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for teeth to erupt or align properly, causing the teeth to compete for the limited space available. As a result, teeth will come through at odd angles or overlap.
Types of crowded teeth
| Type | Formation |
| Anterior | Front teeth are misaligned |
| Posterior | Back teeth are misaligned |
| Upper | Teeth crowd in the upper jaw |
| Lower | Teeth crowd in the lower jaw |
What causes crowded teeth?
- Genetics
- Premature or delayed loss of baby teeth
- Oral habits
- Jaw size and growth patterns
- Airway or breathing issues
- Dental trauma and structural issues
- Extra teeth
- Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits
Why crowded teeth are more than a cosmetic issue
Crowded teeth can present challenges to dental hygiene, comfort, and long-term dental health:
- Teeth are harder to clean due to overlapping, causing an increase in decay and gum disease risk.
- Uneven bite pressure due to the teeth not fitting together correctly.
- Jaw discomfort and TMJ disorders caused by extra pressure on the jaw muscles and joints.
- Uneven tooth wear as misaligned teeth rub together, eroding enamel and chipping edges.
Early intervention from a specialist orthodontist will help to prevent both cosmetic and dental issues.
Mild vs moderate vs severe crowding
You can identify where your crowding sits within a general scale to help guide your first consultation with an orthodontist:
- Mild: a single upper or lower front tooth that’s slightly rotated.
- Moderate: two or three upper or lower front teeth overlap.
- Severe: almost all your front teeth on both your top and bottom jaw overlap.
How crowded teeth are treated
When pursuing treatment for crowded teeth, there are a few pathways available to you:
Braces
Choose from metal or ceramic braces to treat overcrowded teeth. The fixed brackets gradually shift your teeth to correct their position.
Invisalign
The clear aligner system is a discreet yet effective way to treat mild-to-moderate cases of overcrowded teeth.
Tooth extraction
In some severe cases of overcrowded teeth, you may require tooth extraction as part of your treatment. This will give your teeth room to then be gradually moved into their correct position, with any obstructive teeth removed.
Is one treatment faster than another?
The length of your treatment time will be influenced by the complexity of your case and the treatment pathway you follow.
- Braces: depending on the severity of your case, you may be wearing braces for 12-24 months, with more severe cases requiring longer.
- Tooth extraction: if your braces are combined with tooth extraction, this may require a longer treatment time of 18-30 months. It varies person to person.
- Clear aligners: for mild to moderate cases, clear aligners can take between 6-18 months to fix crowding. This timeline may be impacted by things like your wear time (you must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours a day), tray changes (every 1-2 weeks) and your individual biological response.
Your orthodontist will be able to advise on projected treatment times during your consultation.
Not sure where to start? Come and see us for a consultation
If you think your child has crowded teeth, or you have an adult case you want to explore, get in touch. Our team of specialists at Orthodontics at Parramatta can offer guidance to help you find the right treatment plan. Book an appointment online, or call our friendly team today on 02 7803 7803.
FAQs
No, it’s unlikely that crowded teeth can fix themselves over time. Instead, they typically worsen with age due to movement caused by chewing forces, bone changes and natural shifting.
The ideal age for early assessment and treatment is around age 7, when orthodontic care will be interceptive and can prevent the crowding from worsening before the jaw is fully developed.
Yes, Invisalign can provide effective care in mild to moderate cases of crowded teeth. In more severe cases, you may be advised to follow a combination of treatment pathways.
No, in some cases, crowded teeth will not require extractions. This treatment is typically recommended for moderate-to-severe crowding, but mild cases or early intervention may not require any extraction.
Aligners can typically fix mild-to-moderate cases, but more severe cases of crowding might not respond to aligners. Your orthodontist will be able to advise whether aligners are an appropriate course of treatment for you.
