Teeth Alignment Specialist

What Causes Teeth to Become Crooked?

Just like eye and hair color, an individual’s teeth most often grow in crooked, overlapping, or twisted due to genetics. Mouths that are too small to accommodate teeth without crowding or overlapping, or a malformed jaw, typically run in families. Certain issues, such as protruding front teeth or an open bite, however, can be also be caused by poor oral habits, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. Another factor that can cause alignment issues are accidents that impact the jaw.

Why Should I Have My Teeth Straightened?

Orthodontic treatments can correct many issues from gaps to crowding. Having these flaws fixed can help individuals in a variety of ways. These include:

• Improve self-confidence
• Chew properly
• Speak more clearly
• Reduce or eliminate the need for jaw surgery
• Allow for better oral hygiene to protect their gums or teeth from becoming diseased or infected
• Reduce or eliminate the need for extracting permanent teeth
• Reduce wear and tear of teeth

What Treatment Options Are Available for Straightening Teeth?

Straightening teeth typically conjures up the image of traditional metal braces. However, today there is a wide range of options that can help patients attain straight teeth. These include the popular Invisalign® system, that uses a series of transparent, removable aligner trays. Two other alternatives are ceramic braces that blend in with teeth, providing a more aesthetically pleasing effect; and lingual braces, which are attached behind the teeth and therefore do not show at all. Not every patient is a candidate for all types of orthodontic treatment. The most effective approach depends on the extent and complexity of movement required.

Dr. Chang is versed in all methods. To find out more about which option or options are best for you, call to schedule a complimentary consultation.