Crowded Teeth: What causes it and how to fix them?

Overcrowded – otherwise known as overlapping teeth – is the number one cause of visits to the orthodontist. It is a malposition of the teeth that generally appears from the age of 6, when the permanent teeth are growing. In addition to the aesthetic discomfort, these malpositions create risks for your oral health.

The main causes of crowded teeth

Overowded teeth is mainly due to a lack of space in the mouth, but other causes can also be the reason:

• Jaw too small
• Teeth proportionally too large in relation to the mouth
• Supernumerary teeth
• Palate too narrow
• Palate with a too pronounced arch
• Dental agenesis (one or more missing teeth) or loss of a tooth destabilizing the alignment
• Bad lingual habits
• Bad behavior, such as thumb sucking

Degrees of dental overlap

The first task of the orthodontist is to measure the degree of dental overlap in order to propose the appropriate treatment. This degree can be:

1. light if there is a gap of less than 3 mm ;
2. moderate if it is between 3 and 5 mm;
3. severe if it exceeds 5 mm.

The different dental overlaps

There are three types of dental overlaps.

The primary dental overlap

The primary dental overlap is due to your heredity. Parents who have suffered from this phenomenon themselves should monitor their children closely. They are advised to have the positioning of their teeth checked at an early age so that treatment can be initiated as soon as possible if signs of crowding appear.

Secondary dental overlap

Secondary crowding occurs when there is premature loss of baby teeth. Since the permanent teeth are not ready to grow, the other milk teeth tend to occupy the free space, which leads to anarchy.

The tertiary dental overlap

The tertiary dental overlap occurs when the wisdom teeth do not have the necessary space, which results in the disruption of the entire dentition.

Here is a short video that visually explains the dental overlap:

How to remedy overlapping teeth?

In addition to the aesthetic consideration, overlapping teeth can cause oral hygiene problems because the brush cannot access all parts of the teeth. The appearance of dental plaque and cavities is then favored. On the other hand, the enamel may be worn away prematurely due to friction. Finally, the overlap can cause problems with occlusion, chewing and speech.

Orthodontics can correct the alignment of teeth, regardless of the patient's age or the severity of the disorder. Your dentist may suggest treatment or refer you to an orthodontist.

Orthodontics for children

The orthodontist examines the jaws on a case-by-case basis before recommending treatment. The child's dentist may recommend an orthodontist as early as age 6 to monitor the development of the jaw.

With interceptive orthodontics, the practitioner can intervene before all the permanent teeth have grown in. This type of dentistry works on the development of the jawbone with the help of specific appliances. From the age of 12, when the permanent teeth should all be out, the orthodontist uses corrective orthodontics with traditional braces or lingual appliances.

Orthodontics for adults

For adults, the dentist generally recommends invisible aligners that are easier to bear. Indeed, the metal rings being unaesthetic, it seems complicated for an adult to wear them, especially since they are irremovable. The advantage of aligners is that they are invisible and can be removed for feeding, as well as temporarily for an important appointment.

The use of invisible aligners can be prescribed by the dentist, without having to consult an orthodontist. The Nutrident team particularly appreciates the Dr Smile brand. The German company has developed a method of invisible orthodontics that is effective and less expensive than many competitors.

However, in the most pronounced cases of overlapping teeth, when the jawbone is too small, the dentist is forced to extract one or more teeth.

Dental veneers

The use of dental veneers can be interesting to mask a slight obstruction. Made of ceramic or composite, they adapt perfectly to the color of the teeth for a highly aesthetic and natural result.

Conclusion

Overlapping teeth affect many people and can have different causes. A source of complexes and sometimes of functional problems, it must be corrected by an adapted treatment. Orthodontics, and in particular invisible orthodontics, is a particularly interesting solution because it allows you to align your teeth discreetly.

Overlapping teeth: FAQ

How to align your teeth yourself?

To correct dental crowding, it is necessary to consult a dentist to learn about treatment options. However, there are dental aligners that can be monitored remotely and that can correct slight overlaps.

What is the maximum age for braces?

There is no maximum age for orthodontics. Braces can be worn in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. For adults, invisible orthodontics using transparent aligners is particularly recommended.

Why do overlapping teeth often occur in the lower teeth?

Dental crowding can affect both the upper and lower arches. It is true that narrow jaw problems are more common in the mandible than in the upper jaw.