How Long Does It Take to Fix Overcrowded Teeth?

If you’ve got crooked teeth that overlap, you may be wondering how long does it take to fix overcrowded teeth? After all, if you (finally!) have that holiday booked or you’ve got a special occasion on the horizon, you’ll ideally want your pearly whites to be perfectly on point. Well, wouldn’t we all?

At SmartSmileCo. we get a real kick out of helping our customers straighten their smiles and boost their confidence to boot. That’s why we do what we do. So, if you want to know the best way to tackle your dental crowding and how long does it take to fix overcrowded teeth, read on to find out.

What is Dental Crowding?

If your teeth are crooked and overlap, you have a misalignment issue known as dental crowding. Dental crowding is also referred to as crowded teeth or overcrowding.

Overcrowding happens when there simply isn’t enough space in your mouth for all your teeth to grow through straight. So, some of your teeth are pushed forwards or backwards as a result.

Dental crowding can be mild, moderate, or even severe. Not sure how bad your crowded teeth problem is?

Flash a smile at yourself in your bathroom mirror and see how your overcrowded teeth would be categorised:

Mild Dental Crowding

If you have a single upper or lower anterior (front) tooth that’s a little rotated, you have mild crowding.

Moderate Crowding

If two or three of your upper or lower anterior teeth overlap, your overcrowding issue is considered moderate.

Severely Crowded Teeth

If practically all your anterior teeth on both your top and bottom jaw overlap, you have severe dental crowding.

What Causes Overcrowding?

The most likely reason your teeth are overcrowded is because your jaw is too small or your teeth are too big. But there are lots of other potential reasons too, such as:

• Your teeth are different sizes
• Your jawbone is underdeveloped
• Prolonged thumb sucking or dummy use as a child
• You have extra teeth
• Your adult teeth erupted irregularly
• Palate issues or cleft lip
• You’re not as young as you used to be

Did you know that your overcrowded teeth are likely to get worse as you get older? Yes, I’m afraid so — just another joy of ageing, unfortunately.

As we age, our face changes over the years, so, therefore, does our jaw. This means that lower teeth are particularly prone to movement, making them crooked and sometimes overlap.

If you’re wondering, how long does it take to fix overcrowded teeth? And want to know the reasons why you should straighten your teeth — read on to find out.

Why Straighten Crowded Teeth?

Many people with crooked, overlapping teeth will want to straighten them to improve their appearance and be the best version of themselves. And that’s great. But there are other reasons to rid yourself of those twisted teeth too.

You may find that your crooked teeth or snaggletooth are zapping your self-esteem, especially if your dental misalignment is moderate or severe. If that’s the case, getting your noticeably wonky gnashers straightened will do wonders for your wellbeing and will give you a brilliant confidence boost.

Having straight teeth will not only improve the way you look and crank up your confidence but getting your teeth straightened comes with health benefits too.

As straight teeth are much easier to brush, floss and keep properly clean, you’ll be at a reduced risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. If your oral hygiene is poor due to overlapping teeth making it difficult to keep your teeth clean, you could even be at risk of developing a weakened immune system. But how long does it take to fix overcrowded teeth?

How Long Does It Take to Fix Overcrowded Teeth?

Depending on the severity of your misalignment, there are a few ways to perfect your pearly whites:

Veneers

Suitable for adults with mild or moderate dental crowding, veneers are probably the fastest way of ridding your smile of wonky teeth. Veneers are fitted over your front teeth to make your teeth appear straight — a bit like wearing a mask.

Porcelain veneers are coloured and shaped to match your natural teeth and can look great. However, it’s worth mentioning that veneers are a purely cosmetic solution and will not actually straighten your teeth. Although getting a straight-looking smile with veneers will be pretty swift, veneers are expensive. And the process does involve causing quite a bit of damage to your natural teeth.

Dentofacial Orthopaedics

If your overcrowding issue is extreme, you may need dentofacial orthopaedics to sort out your smile. This process will likely involve wearing palatal expanders and headgear to guide bone growth and straighten teeth.

Metal Braces

Having a metal brace fitted is an effective way to correct your dental crowding problem. Traditional braces are commonplace for kids but not always the most popular choice for adults (for obvious reasons!).

A metal brace can’t be taken out during treatment, and you’ll need to visit your orthodontist every few weeks for check-ups and tightening. Depending on the severity of your misalignment, you’ll need to wear a metal brace for up to three years.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners work the same way as a metal brace by applying pressure and gradually moving your teeth into their ideal position over time. And are also a highly effective way to correct overcrowding issues.

Plastic aligners are quickly becoming the most popular choice for adults looking to dramatically improve their smile, as they’re virtually invisible, removable and can be prescribed as a teledentistry treatment.

Can Dental Crowding be Corrected at Home?

Yes, absolutely. But please steer clear of any dodgy DIY teeth straightening hacks you may come across online involving rubber bands and paper clips. Ouch!

Thanks to advances in orthodontic technology and the rise of teledentistry, dental crowding can be safely and effectively corrected from the comfort of your own home. No metal brace or stationary equipment is needed.

Straighten Your Smile Safely with SmartSmileCo

Your clear aligners from SmartSmileCo will be:

• Crystal Clear
  Barely noticeable and more transparent than other providers
• Made with SuperClear Technology
  Our tri-layer aligner plastic is much more effective than single-layer alternatives
• Approved by Orthodontists
  Your straightening plan will be approved by a qualified orthodontist
• Stain-Resistant
  Easier to keep clean and clear for longer
• Comfortable
  Your aligners will be comfort cut for maximum comfort
• Non-Toxic
  BPA, latex, phthalate, and mercury-free

Want to know how long does it take to fix overcrowded teeth for your dental crowding issue? Ready to sort out your smile and straighten your crooked teeth? Start your free online assessment today and discover if you’re suitable for our clear, at-home aligners.