Cosmetic Dental Services to Fix Teeth Crowding

Cosmetic dental services can transform a person's smile by treating oral health issues like teeth crowding. A cosmetic dentist will use whichever dental procedures benefit their patient. It is not uncommon for a cosmetic dentist to use orthodontics or restorative dentistry to improve a smile. The type of treatment that the dentist recommends will depend on the nature of their patient’s oral health issues.

Treatment for teeth crowding varies, depending on the cause and extent of the issue. The following sections go into more detail about cosmetic dental services.

What cosmetic dental services can do for a smile

Cosmetic dentistry can fix superficial flaws and correct deeper oral health issues. Surface issues like stains require quick, non-invasive procedures that can deliver results in a few visits.

More significant issues can be fixed with long-term treatment plans that fall under the category of smile makeovers. In this case, a patient might need one or more of the following procedures:

• Teeth whitening
• Cosmetic bonding
• Dental veneers
• Crowns, fillings, and other dental restorations
• Orthodontics
• Teeth reshaping
• Gum contouring

These procedures correct a range of cosmetic and oral health issues. The duration of treatment will depend on the type and severity of the patient’s dental issues.

Correcting teeth crowding with cosmetic dentistry

The root cause of crowded teeth informs how a dentist corrects the problem. Mild crowding can happen if the teeth are slightly larger than the jaw. It can also occur when a wisdom tooth pushes against adjacent teeth as it erupts. A dentist might recommend one of the following quick fixes to treat this type of crowding.

Veneers

Veneers cover the surfaces of teeth to hide discoloration or slight misalignment. They are wafer-thin shells that are tailor-made to match the color and shape of an individual’s teeth. Installing veneers is a painless, non-invasive procedure that takes one or two appointments to complete.

Clear braces

These are transparent trays that align teeth to deliver a straight, proportional smile. It takes several months for the braces to work on slightly crooked teeth.

Correcting moderate to severe teeth crowding with a smile plan

Cosmetic dentists sometimes create aggressive treatment plans to correct severe teeth crowding. They will almost always recommend one or more orthodontic interventions.

Tooth extraction

Extraction of select teeth creates room for the remaining teeth to sit in optimal alignment. The procedure is usually the first step in a larger treatment plan that includes teeth straightening. However, some patients only need tooth extraction to resolve overcrowding.

Braces

Appliances like braces put constant and gentle pressure on teeth, causing them to move into more optimal positions. The pressure from this type of appliance also reshapes the jaw if there is a need for it.

Corrective jaw surgery

This procedure is only required in cases of severe crowding that result from jaw deformity. The procedure is often part of a large, long-term treatment plan.