Crowded bottom teeth are one of the most common concerns patients have. First and foremost, they can make you feel uncomfortable smiling in public and bring embarrassment in social situations. Teeth crowding can also make it a real challenge to brush and floss your teeth and lead to cavities and wear and tear. In addition, they can allow bacteria to get trapped and infect your teeth and gums.
The most common cause of crowded teeth is genetics. If your parents and/or grandparents dealt with teeth crowding, it’s likely that you will too. If you have a smaller mouth, there’s a greater chance of your crowded teeth causing other teeth to shift. A misaligned jaw can also lead to crowded teeth. Habits such as breathing through your mouth, reverse swallowing, and tongue thrusting can also result in crowding. Facial trauma like a mouth injury or jaw injury may cause crowding as well.
If you have crowded bottom teeth, they are likely to get worse as you get older, making it essential to treat them right away. How are crowded teeth treated? Treatment depends on the severity of your crowding and your particular preferences. Traditional metal braces can move your teeth into proper alignment. Sometimes, they may be paired with a tooth extraction so that enough room can be made for your other teeth to align. Unfortunately, many adults are self conscience when it comes to getting braces later in life. We always tell our patients that 6-12 months now will make life much better down the road.
Another option is Invisalign. Invisalign clear aligners can gradually resolve your crowded teeth discreetly. Since the aligners are clear, they are virtually undetectable to the naked eye so you can straighten your teeth in a less obvious manner. If your crowding is minor, porcelain veneers may be an option. We are one of the only Invisalign Diamond Plus providers in all of Richmond, Libbie Mill, Short Pump and Midlothian.
Schedule an Appointment at River Run Dental
If you would like to correct bottom overlapping teeth, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our spa-like Richmond, VA dental office. Call us at 804-262-1060 today. We look forward to hearing from you!