Correcting crooked teeth

More and more people are unhappy with their smile. Are you one of them? Or does your child suffer from crooked teeth? In these days of constant video calls and social media selfies, crooked teeth can be a real burden. Are you wondering how late in life tooth correction is even possible? Today, we can often straighten your teeth regardless of your age. So you and your family can smile widely and confidently in that next photo.

In this blog post you will learn:

• how to have your teeth corrected regardless of your age
• the causes of crooked teeth
• why straight teeth protect your health

Orthodontics offers a whole range of options for straightening crooked teeth. Age plays only a limited role here. Still, the procedures differ depending on whether we are correcting misaligned teeth in children and adolescents or in adults.

How children can get straight teeth

In children and adolescents, we can utilise natural growth to influence the jaw and teeth. This means that even severe misalignments can be predictably corrected. We recommend then that all parents arrange a check-up appointment before their child reaches the age of 10. At this stage we check whether tooth correction is necessary:

• We can often use removeable braces to straighten limited numbers of crooked teeth.
• We use fixed braces for more extensive teeth correction.
• Teenagers can also benefit from the advantages of an invisible aligner.

You can find information on this here: Orthodontics for children

We will also be happy to advise you in our practice:

Many people think that teeth can only be corrected at a young age. Today, however, we can successfully straighten most misalignments regardless of age. To do this, we use removable aligners or fixed braces. If the picture you have in your mind is of an unsightly metal frame in your mouth, let us reassure you.

Today there are braces and aligners that correct your teeth discreetly and almost invisibly. These include, for example

• fixed ceramic braces:
  These look and function like classic fixed braces. However, the brackets are made of tooth-coloured ceramic. This type of fixed brace is thus barely noticeable in your mouth.
• removable transparent dental aligners:
  For mild to moderate misalignments we can correct your teeth with a dental aligner. Two crooked canines can often be straightened by one of these nearly invisible aligners in just a few months.

Which option is best for you depends on various factors:

• How many of your teeth are crooked?
• Which method suits your circumstances?
• What offers the greatest chance of success?

We can discuss these issues with you following an initial examination in our practice.

The costs depend on a range of factors. So we can’t provide an answer for everyone here. Basic insurance does not usually cover braces. You can take out supplementary insurance for children. For adults, teeth straightening is usually an aesthetic service that you pay for privately.

We can tell you the precise costs following an initial examination. We’ll clarify:

• which method is suitable for you
• how long tooth correction will take

whether we need to treat something else first, for example periodontitis or a gap in your teeth

Mild to moderate misalignments can be predictably straightened in almost all cases. We will usually give you an approximate time frame following your first examination.

In many cases, we can now successfully correct even extremely crooked teeth, such as in the case of pronounced crowding or a severe overbite. Additional surgical measures may be required here. Feel free to visit our practice in Egerkingen for personal advice.

We strongly advise against straightening teeth using so-called ‘do-it-yourself’ braces made from threads or rubber bands. There is a risk of exerting damaging pressure on the teeth. This can loosen roots and worsen misalignments. Even where you have just one crooked canine tooth, tooth straightening is best in the hands of an experienced orthodontist.

Read more about our services here: Orthodontics for adults

Or arrange a consultation at our practice directly:

The causes of crooked teeth may be genetic or may develop in childhood. Early loss of milk teeth can lead to crooked teeth growing back. Perhaps you spent a long time sucking your thumb as a child or used a dummy? This can have a negative impact on jaw development.

The most common causes of crooked teeth in adults

There are various reasons why teeth become displaced in adulthood:

• Loose teeth following an accident: teeth may become loose and move in the event of a jaw injury.
• Teeth shift with age: perhaps you used to wear braces? Without a retainer, teeth can work back to their original position. Teeth may also shift due to night-time grinding and clenching.

A tooth moves into a gap: if you have been living with a gap for a long time, neighbouring teeth can move into the gap.

Many adults decide to have their teeth straightened for aesthetic reasons. There are also a number of health benefits:

• Improved oral hygiene: straight teeth are easier to clean. There are no places you can’t reach with your toothbrush and dental floss.
• Avoid periodontitis: harmful bacteria have a harder time becoming established. Where teeth are crooked, bacteria can hide in hard-to-reach places.
• Optimal tooth alignment: if your teeth are optimally aligned, it protects the enamel. Crooked teeth can impair your bite, causing issues such as tense jaw muscles.

Schedule your no-obligation consultation now. We’ll talk through all of the options with you.