by Malavi Sivakanesan • 17 February 2025 • 5 min read
Teeth crowding affects both children and adults, often caused by factors such as genetics, jaw size, or habits like thumb sucking and premature loss of baby teeth. If left untreated, mild crowding can worsen, leading to chewing difficulties, cleaning issues, and jaw pain. Understanding the causes of teeth crowding is key to choosing the right orthodontic treatment. Read on to discover if your case is severe and explore effective solutions to restore your smile.
How is Severe Teeth Crowding Different from Mild or Moderate Cases?
The severity of crowding is categorised as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of misalignment.
When the overlapping of teeth is much less, and if they do not cause any major problem, then such cases are considered under mild teeth crowding and moderate crowding cases. As these cases are less problematic, orthodontic treatment is not required. These cases can often be fixed with simple treatments like dental aligners or braces.
But when your teeth overlap a lot or even twist sometimes, then it is known as severe teeth crowding. In this case, extreme misalignment causes multiple teeth to shift from their original positions due to a lack of space. Severe teeth crowding causes major damage to teeth that might require tooth extractions, expansion appliances, or even surgery to create space before orthodontic treatment.
Problems Caused by Severe Teeth Crowding
Extremely crowded teeth can lead to many problems, like teeth crowding pain. If you are having crowded teeth and you are still waiting to get them treated, read on to know what major discomforts you can face:
- Jaw Pain and Discomfort: If your teeth are extremely misaligned, then it will put extra pressure on your jaw, which can cause discomfort or even headaches.
- Harder to Clean Teeth: Brushing and flossing can become difficult if your teeth are too close together. This is especially a problem in cases of bottom teeth crowding. Due to this, food particles and plaque can easily get trapped, leading to cavities and gum infections over time.
- Bite Problems: Lower teeth crowding can lead to bite issues like overbite, underbite, or crossbite. These misalignments can cause uneven pressure, leading to tooth wear and chewing problems.
- Speech Problems: If your teeth are not in the right position then it can even turn out as a hurdle for you while you are speaking. You might struggle to pronounce certain words correctly.
Best Orthodontic Solutions for Extremely Crowded Teeth
If you are going through any of the problems discussed above, take a sigh of relief, as there are various orthodontic treatments that can bring back your teeth to their original position. Read on to know which one can suit you the best:
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is a common solution for wisdom teeth crowding, creating space for proper alignment. The procedure typically takes around 20 minutes, with partial healing in one to two weeks. Complete bone and tissue recovery may take several months. During healing, avoid hard foods, use cold compresses for swelling, and refrain from using straws to prevent dry sockets.
Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders are orthodontic devices that are used to make the upper jaw wider, which helps create more room for crowded teeth. This device works by applying pressure through a small screw mechanism that is turned daily and attached to the upper molars.
You generally have to wear the expander for about six months. In these six months, the first three to four months are for expansion, and the remaining time is for stabilisation.
Surgical Orthodontics (Jaw Surgery)
Surgical orthodontics is ideal for severe jaw misalignment when other treatments are unsuitable. It enhances facial symmetry by correcting jaw discrepancies. Before surgery, braces are worn for 12 to 24 months to align teeth. The procedure lasts two to four hours under general anaesthesia, with a hospital stay of one to three days.
Invest in your smile for lifelong dental health
Early intervention is key to preventing severe teeth crowding from becoming a bigger issue. If you treat misalignment during childhood or teenage years, then it can reduce the need for complex procedures later in life.
However, even in adulthood, orthodontic solutions can effectively correct crowded teeth. So, invest in the right orthodontic treatment with Complete Smiles. They use highly advanced technology and are highly rated in London. So, take the first step to your perfect smile back.
Malavi Sivakanesan
Malavi Sivakanesan is the principal dentist and co-founder at Complete Smiles in Harrow, Greater London. She is responsible for establishing the Complete Smiles brand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and has 5 successful practices under her strong leadership.