Overcrowded teeth occur during childhood when the gums and teeth are developing and can continue into adulthood if not treated. The teeth can form too close together and, in some cases, additional teeth grow through, which results in crooked or skewed smile and an abnormal bite when your upper and lower teeth come together.

Causes of Overcrowded Teeth

There can be a number of reasons for overcrowded teeth, such as:

• Genetics/hereditary traits – The DNA of parents contributes to the formation and function of the jaw and teeth, which if incorrect can lead to crowding and other orthodontic problems.
• Too small upper or lower jaw – When the teeth appear too large, as if there are too many to fit into the gums.
• Cleft lip and palate – This occurs when a baby is born with a gap in its top lip or when the two plates of the palate forming the mouth do not join properly.
• Excess tooth development –This occurs when an unusual amount of teeth grow.
• Mouth tumours – These can affect the formation and function of the jaw, including tooth development.
• Injury – Fracturing the jaw and re-healing can result in overcrowded teeth.

A medical practitioner can diagnoses the cause of overcrowded teeth and recommend appropriate treatment solutions.

Treatment for Overcrowded Teeth

A number of treatment options exist to correct the causes of overcrowded teeth. These include:

• Facial or jaw reconstruction or plastic surgery to correct and re-model the facial form and function, such as cleft lip or reforming the jaw to correct bite.
• Teeth removal and gum re-shaping combined with Orthodontic treatment.
• Orthodontic treatment, such as braces – Invisalign, Damon, Inman Aligner – and other Orthodontic appliances.
• Porcelain Veneers can be placed over the surface of teeth to give them a straight appearance, and may be used to treat overcrowded teeth when combined with other Orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics is used for teeth overcrowding caused by a misaligned jaw position or jaw joint, over or underbite and malocclusion. If you have overcrowded teeth that appear skewed or crooked and are affecting your smile, you can have this orthodontic treatment to correct it.