One of the most common dental concerns is crooked teeth. Many patients want a straighter and more attractive smile. Dr. Rachel Barone can treat crooked teeth in Boulder, CO, at Gunbarrel Dental Center. Whether you have a single crooked tooth or need to treat all your teeth, Dr. Barone can help.
Why Are My Teeth Crooked?
Teeth can grow in crooked or become crooked over time for multiple reasons. Understanding the causes can help you take steps to protect your smile or choose the right treatment.
- Genetics: One of the most common causes of crooked teeth is genetics. If your parents or other family members had crooked teeth, there’s a good chance you might too. Sometimes, people are born with a jaw that’s too small for all their teeth. When this happens, teeth may crowd together and come in at an angle.
- Thumb Sucking: Thumb sucking or using a pacifier for too long during early childhood can also affect how teeth grow. These habits put pressure on the teeth and jaw, which can lead to misalignment. That’s why dentists recommend stopping these habits by age 2 or 3.
- Losing Baby Teeth Early: Another cause is losing baby teeth too early or too late. If a baby tooth falls out before the adult tooth is ready to come in, nearby teeth may shift into the empty space. This can make the adult tooth come in crooked or out of place.
- Dental Injuries: Injuries to the mouth or jaw can also cause teeth to move or shift. A fall, accident, or sports injury may damage your teeth and cause them to become crooked.
- Bad Habits: Lastly, poor dental habits, like not brushing and flossing, can lead to gum disease. Over time, gum disease can weaken the support around teeth, causing them to shift out of position.
Types of Crooked Teeth
Understanding the different types of misalignments can help in identifying the best treatment:
- Overcrowding: This happens when there’s not enough space in the mouth for all the teeth, causing them to overlap or twist.
- Spacing: You can have gaps between teeth from missing teeth or teeth too small for the jawbone.
- Overbite: An overbite happens when the upper front teeth overlap significantly over the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: This problem happens when the lower front teeth protrude past the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: This is when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth rather than outside.
- Open Bite: You may have an open ibte when the upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed and leaves a gap.
The Benefits of Straightening Crooked Teeth
Straightening your teeth improves your smile and helps keep your mouth and body healthier. At Gunbarrel Dental Center in Boulder, CO, Dr. Rachel Barone helps patients fix crooked teeth not only for cosmetic reasons but also for better oral health and comfort.
Improved Oral Hygiene
When your teeth are straight, it’s easier to brush and floss them properly. Crooked or crowded teeth can create tight spaces where food and plaque get trapped. Over time, this buildup can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Straight teeth help keep your mouth cleaner and healthier.
Better Digestion
Your teeth play an important role in digestion. When they are lined up correctly, you can chew food more effectively. This helps your body break down food better, making it easier to absorb nutrients. Misaligned teeth may cause you to chew unevenly or avoid certain foods altogether.
Enhanced Speech
Crooked or spaced teeth can affect the way you pronounce words. For example, lisps and other speech problems can be linked to the position of your teeth. Straightening your teeth can help improve how you speak and make your words clearer.
Reduced Jaw Pain
Teeth that don’t line up right can strain your jaw muscles and joints. This may lead to jaw pain, headaches, or even a clicking sound when you chew. Straightening your bite can ease this pressure and improve your comfort.
Increased Confidence
Having a straight, even smile can boost your confidence. You may feel more comfortable speaking, smiling, or taking photos. Many patients say they feel more positive and outgoing after straightening their teeth.
Crooked Teeth Treatment in Boulder, CO
We can straighten teeth or cover slightly crooked teeth at Gunbarrel Dental Center. Learn more about your options below:
ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect is a popular way to straighten teeth using a series of clear, removable aligners. These aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth and gently move your teeth over time. One of the best things about ClearCorrect is that the aligners are nearly invisible, so most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them. ClearCorrect is great for treating a variety of dental problems, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
You can take clear braces out to eat, brush, and floss, which makes them easy to manage in your daily life. Many teens and adults choose ClearCorrect because it’s a comfortable and discreet way to improve their smile.
Bonding
Teeth bonding is a quick and affordable way to fix small issues with your teeth. Dr. Barone uses a tooth-colored resin to cover or shape areas that look uneven. Dental bonding can be a great option if you have:
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Minor chips or uneven edges
The bonding material is shaped and hardened with a special light, and the whole process usually takes just one visit. Bonding is not permanent, but with good care, it can last for several years.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that we place on the front of your teeth. We provide custom-made veneers to match the shape and color of your natural teeth and are a great solution for various cosmetic problems. Veneers can help if you have:
- Crooked or uneven teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth that don’t respond to whitening
- Worn or chipped teeth
Dental veneers can cover the teeth that show when you smile. This treatment provides a quick way to improve the look of your teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
Treat crooked teeth in Boulder, CO at Gunbarrel Dental Center. You can request an appointment with us online or call 720-881-0614. We’re here to help you create a more balanced bite.