q.: What causes this condition?
Many malocclusions are inherited. This includes crowding of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth, or irregularities in the jaws, face and teeth. Malocclusions can also be environmental in nature, caused by accidents, thumb sucking or sucking on a pacifier, obstruction by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease, or premature loss of primary (baby) teeth.

Q.: Why is treatment important?
If treatment is delayed or not taken, many problems get worse and more complicated (and expensive) to remedy. Malocclusion can cause excessive wear of tooth enamel, poor chewing, stress on both the gums and jawbone which support the teeth, chronic headaches, and facial and neck pains. Correcting the malocclusion can improve overall oral health and eliminate other potential problems.

Q.: Does the treatment involve removal of some teeth?
Sometimes when permanent teeth are crowded and their spacing and proper positioning is being affected by the primary teeth, removing primary (baby) teeth is necessary. Otherwise, the severely crowded permanent teeth will either remain "stuck" (impacted) and unable to erupt, or they will erupt in an undesirable position.

Treatment of a malocclusion involves a thorough evaluation of your child’s specific condition by a dentist and/or orthodontist. This may include recommendations for removal of some primary or permanent teeth because some malocclusions cannot be treated successfully without doing so. Extraction of some teeth in severely crowded conditions enhances proper alignment, function and appearance, too.

Q.: How is a diagnosis of a malocclusion performed?
Each child’s specific condition dictates the diagnostic procedures, but they often include several or all of the following:

· Clinical exam
·  Medical and dental history
·  Impressions of the teeth for making plaster models
· Photographs of the face and teeth to provide a record of the child’s facial appearance prior to
  treatment
· Panoramic X-rays showing all the upper and lower teeth in biting position, and teeth that are not yet
  visible
· Lateral (cephalometric) X-ray of the entire head showing the relationship of the teeth and jaws to the
  face and skull

Q.: How long does treatment take?
Each condition is unique and must be treated individually. The actual time is dependent on the growth of the child’s mouth and face, the severity of the problem and the cooperation of the child in following instructions. Mild correction problems or early treatment may take only a few months. Treatment for more complex malocclusions range from one to three years.

An attractive smile, proper alignment, and healthy teeth are valuable rewards gained from a custom-designed treatment program made for smile after smile!

Crowded or crooked teeth that overlap, protrude, or recess in a haphazard fashion can often be perceived as a personal disfigurement. If you feel embarrassed to smile, then you should consider having your teeth straightened out.

Apart from looking aesthetically unpleasing, crowded teeth also affect the general dental condition of your mouth. They tend to attract food deposits, which get trapped in the narrow spaces, and are difficult to keep clean with routine oral hygiene. This leads to higher incidence of tooth decay and gum disease.

Till some years ago, orthodontic treatment was the only solution to crowded teeth. But now we have an alternative in cosmetic dentistry. We may add that orthodontics is still widely used in the younger population, while cosmetic procedures are more useful in professionals who may not have the time necessary to carry out the orthodontic procedures. Cosmetic dentistry is also useful in the older generation, who may not have an ideal gum or bone condition necessary to withstand the orthodontic forces.

The objective of any corrective therapy is to create an illusion of well-aligned teeth in relation to lip position when you smile. Such an illusion can sometimes be achieved by means of cosmetic contouring, the technical term used to reshape teeth. In more involved cases, it may be necessary to use bonding to build-out a portion of a tooth to create the impression of alignment. As the cases get more complex, we may need to veneer or crown the teeth to achieve the necessary objective.

People with crowded teeth will benefit from bonding or porcelain veneers. The tooth-colored porcelain is bonded directly to the teeth for best results and esthetics. Minor changes can be accomplished with simple re-contouring and polishing. These options can straighten and align teeth without braces.

To reposition or straighten teeth, orthodontics may be needed. Options include "invisible" braces made from clear acrylic and "removable' braces for the repositioning of only one tooth or two teeth. You should consult your dentist to decide what's best for you.