It is generally perceived that the crooked teeth are often inherited from our parents, but they can also be the result of the early loss of milk teeth or thumb sucking. The way that our teeth bite together is called the occlusion. People who have crooked teeth have a malocclusion. Crowded or crooked teeth that protrude, overlap, or recess in a haphazard fashion can often be perceived as a personal disfigurement. If you feel embarrassed to smile, then you should consider having your teeth straightened out. The branch of dentistry that specialises in aligning teeth is called orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment usually involves wearing an appliance (brace). This puts gentle pressure on specific teeth to move them into the right place.

Nobody wants to see one’s teeth misaligned or crooked. Having your teeth straightened can improve your appearance and boost your self-esteem. Crooked teeth are straightened by the use of special devices and techniques [orthodontics]. An orthodontist is a dentist who has been specially trained to use a selection of braces (orthodontic appliances), both fixed and removable. Also, straight teeth are easier to clean, so they improve the appearance and health of the teeth and are less vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. In general, orthodontic treatment is undertaken for two different groups: children typically aged between 12 and 14 years old, or adults.

CROWDED TEETH IN ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR DENTAL AREAS

Orthodontic treatment is usually carried out in childhood. But in the case of adult patients, the orthodontist will need to know what particular concerns there are about the teeth. He or she will undertake a detailed examination and possibly take x-rays and photographs of the face and teeth. Before deciding on the best course of treatment, the orthodontist will also take moulds of the teeth. The orthodontist will then explain the preferred course of treatment to obtain the best results. Options will be discussed as well as any potential problems and/or limitations with the proposed treatment. Many people have too many teeth for the size of their jaws and so the removal of some of the adult teeth may be needed to make space to straighten the crooked ones. If you have any decayed teeth, these will need to be treated by your family dentist before orthodontic treatment starts. Malocclusions can be successfully corrected in adults, but the treatment may take longer.

Crowded teeth may require a combination of treatments in order to achieve an aesthetically and functionally satisfactory result. The more complicated the crookedness of teeth, the longer the treatment is likely to take; e.g. teeth that have failed to grow into the mouth properly can take up to two years to straighten. Individual problems require individual solutions, and the final decision about the right treatment procedure for you will be made by your dentist.

Essentially there are two kinds of braces:-
Removable appliances (braces)
These appliances are very useful at moving either individual or groups of teeth, for example for correcting a deep bite or widening a narrow upper jaw. These braces are made of plastic and usually have wire clips and springs to move specific teeth. In most cases, they are used to move upper teeth. This type of treatment usually precedes fixed brace treatment. The big advantage of removable braces is that they are easily cleaned, and maintaining better hygiene is less of a problem.

Fixed appliances (braces)
Fixed appliances (sometimes known as "train tracks") are individually fixed to the teeth with special glue and therefore cannot be removed by the patient. They are made of small brackets that are glued to the teeth and joined together with a wire. This type of brace is used when the teeth are very crooked and offers the best results. Fixed appliances can be used on upper and lower teeth. Some patients (especially children) like to choose different colours on the brace to make them trendier - e.g. the colours of their favourite sport team. Adults may wish to choose clear or ceramic (invisible) braces. Once the treatment is finished, the brackets and glue are cleaned off the teeth.

Retainers
After the orthodontic treatment is finished there comes an inactive phase when retained are essentially used. Retainers are appliances that do not actively move teeth. Instead, they make sure that teeth stay in their correct positions after orthodontic treatment has finished. They can be removable or fixed. Without a retainer, teeth tend to move back towards their original positions. A retainer is usually worn for at least six months after orthodontic treatment.

Surgical orthodontic treatment
In addition to crowded teeth if the bones of the jaw are also incorrectly positioned, jaw surgery (or orthognathic surgery) may be needed to move them into the right position so that the teeth can bite together properly. Usually this is performed in a hospital setting. This kind of treatment is usually reserved for adults who have severe malocclusions resulting in speech problems, difficulty eating or psychological trauma.

Instant Orthodontics
Certain procedures in Cosmetic dentistry (Bonding, Veneers and Crowns), addressed as Instant Orthodontics, are also useful in the older generation, particularly those who may not have an ideal gum or bone condition necessary to withstand the orthodontic forces.