Crooked teeth
For a variety of reasons, you may have crooked or slanted teeth. Crooked teeth can be mild, where one or two teeth are slanted, or severe, where most of your teeth are misaligned.
Can crooked teeth cause oral health problems?
One of the main reasons people choose to have crooked teeth straightened is because of their appearance. If you feel self-conscious about your smile because of crooked teeth, you may want to consider having them corrected.
The risk of oral health problems depends on how severe the problem is. Typically, people with crooked teeth will have some overlapping issues, making it difficult to brush and floss the teeth properly. Without proper oral hygiene, harmful bacteria can build up, causing tooth decay, gum disease and sometimes tooth pain.
Crooked teeth can also make it hard to eat and speak properly. When teeth don’t align properly, they can wear down your other teeth and cause strain in your jaw muscles. In the long term, this can result in TMJ disorder – a condition which causes jaw pain and sometimes chronic headaches.
What causes crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth can be caused by several factors, including:
- If you have too much or too little space in your mouth for your teeth
- Sucking a dummy or sucking your thumb for too long
- If a baby tooth falls out too soon, the permanent tooth that replaces it can grow at an angle
- Genetics: crooked teeth can be hereditary
- Trauma to the mouth caused by a serious injury or accident
How can you fix crooked teeth?
Teeth straightening can help fix crooked teeth by gradually pushing them into the desired position. The length of treatment will depend on how complex your needs are – it could be as little as six months, or more than two years.
Which type of braces can fix crooked teeth?
Your orthodontist may discuss the following options with you.
Invisalign treatment: The Invisalign system uses clear, removable aligners that you can take out to eat, drink or brush your teeth.
Lingual braces: Lingual braces are attached behind your teeth and are a discreet option that allow you to eat, smile, and talk with confidence while you’re having treatment.
Fixed metal braces: Fixed metal braces use brackets and wires to straighten the teeth. They produce predictable and reliable results.
Six Month Smiles: If you have very minor, cosmetic issues with crooked teeth, you may be suitable for Six Month Smiles, also known as cosmetic teeth straightening.
0% finance for up to 36 months*
Finance applicant must be a UK resident aged 18 or over, have a UK bank account and be in permanent employment. All loans subject to eligibility, status, affordability and a credit check. T&Cs apply.
What to expect
At your consultation, we will chat through your options and suitability for different teeth straightening treatments.
*Terms and conditions:
1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Consultations subject to availability.
3. Free consultations available at participating practices only.
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Find out more
More about teeth straightening, including types of braces and cost of braces.
Teeth straightening
Everything you need to know about getting a straighter, healthier and more confident smile.
Types of braces
Discover our teeth straightening treatments available to fix crooked teeth, from fixed braces to removable options.
About Total Orthodontics
Find out more about us and why you should consider Total Orthodontics for your treatment.
Our orthodontists
*Finance terms and conditions:
Finance applicant must be aged 18 or over, a UK resident, have a UK bank account and be in permanent employment. All loans are subject to eligibility, status, affordability and a credit check. T&Cs apply. Finance is available on private dental treatments only.
The minimum spend for finance is £250 and the maximum is £50,000. 0% APR representative is available on repayment terms of up to 36 months subject to the amount of credit. Finance taken at repayment terms of 48 or 60 months is subject to 7.9% APR representative.
Total Orthodontics is a trading name of Oasis Dental Care Limited, Vantage Office Park, Bristol, BS16 1GW, whose company registered number is 00478127. Oasis Dental Care Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA registration number 710559. Oasis Dental Care Limited is a credit broker and not a lender.
Finance is provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register no. 704348. Registered Office: Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP. Registered in Cardiff under company no. 1630491. The register can be accessed through fca.org.uk.
*Form Terms and conditions:
1. Free consultations are to discuss options and suitability for treatment. You may require a more in-depth clinical examination or diagnostic tests before treatment options can be discussed. There may be a charge for such examination or test, payable by you. The clinician will discuss this with you before any such examination or test takes place, which may be done during the same appointment as your free consultation.
2. Consultations subject to availability.
3. Free consultations available at participating practices only.
Total Orthodontics and Bupa Dental Care are trading names of Oasis Dental Care Limited. Registered in England Wales No: 00478127. Registered office: Bupa Dental Care, Vantage Office Park, Old Gloucester Road, Hambrook, Bristol, United Kingdom BS16 1GW.
