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Crowded teeth
Crowded teeth occur when there isn’t enough space in your mouth for all your teeth. This causes your teeth to overlap each other, which is sometimes known as overcrowding.
Crowded teeth can vary in severity from mild, where one or two teeth overlap each other, to severe, where most of the teeth in your jaw overlap.
Can crowded teeth cause problems?
You may choose to have crowded teeth corrected because of the way they look. They can affect your confidence, particularly if the crowding is prominent. But they can also cause oral health problems.
Crowded teeth can be difficult to clean because of the way they overlap. If you can’t brush and floss between the gaps in your teeth, food can get stuck, causing a build-up of harmful bacteria called plaque. If this continues, it can cause tooth decay, gum disease and sometimes toothache.
Crowding generally gets worse as you age and causes more oral health complications as you get older. So, although it’s never too late to get your teeth straightened, it’s best to correct them as early as you can.
What causes crowded teeth?
Crowded teeth are common and can be caused by several factors including:
- Genetics: you can naturally be born with a jaw that’s too small for your teeth, or teeth that are too small for your jaw
- Permanent teeth not coming through correctly
- Losing a baby tooth too early, which can cause other teeth to move into the gap
How do I know if I have crowded teeth?
Your orthodontist will be able to advise you, but you may have crowded teeth if you:
- Can visibly see your teeth overlapping one another
- Struggle to floss between your teeth
- Have difficulty chewing
- Frequently bite your tongue or the inside of your cheek by mistake
Crowded teeth patient testimonial
Patient Jon tells us why he would recommend orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth to anyone | Watch in 1:11 minutes
I've always had an issue with my smile and I've never been happy with my teeth.
And when I asked the dentist about it, he said what, like what's the issue?
Why aren't you happy?
And I said like, it's because I think they're crooked and he said it's just crowding.
The teeth are healthy.
I would really recommend orthodontic treatment.
Take a little bit longer, but it's better to keep your own teeth and do it that way.
They did say when I first came in, it was quite complicated.
That's why I've been sent here.
It's been about, it's about 18 months so far.
But they say, you know, it takes as long as it takes and I come in about every seven weeks.
But I've seen the progress, you see progress pretty instantly after, after every visit, which is very nice to see.
And I love coming, like we have joked before about me just coming back once my braces are off, sitting down, having a drink, kind of going to miss coming.
The experience is really nice that the staff are really friendly, really nice and welcoming.
If somebody came to me and they said they've got crowding, I would definitely recommend orthodontic treatment.
I don't think people really care these days about having braces on.
I think if anything, like people kind of like it, which I've found from friends and colleagues, they've all said, oh, I want braces, like I want to sort this out, just go for it.
Definitely if you've got an issue with your teeth, just go for it.
I would definitely recommend it 100%.
How can you correct crowded teeth?
Orthodontic treatment is the only way to fix crowded teeth, so you should see an orthodontist if you’re interested in having them straightened.
Your orthodontist may discuss the following options with you:
Fixed metal braces: A type of fixed brace that uses brackets and a metal wire to straighten the teeth. They may be covered by the NHS for under 18s who qualify
Lingual braces: A type of fixed brace that’s attached behind your teeth. This means they’re near-invisible and they’re sometimes known as ‘hidden braces’
Invisalign treatment: A treatment that uses clear, removable aligners to move your teeth without the need for fixed braces. You can take them out to eat, drink or brush your teeth
Spread the cost of your treatment†
Get the straighter smile you’ve always wanted with finance options that suit you, including 0% APR up to 36 months or 7.9% APR over 48 or 60 months.
Ask us about hassle-free finance with Novuna Personal Finance today. 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.
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†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 and Bupa Dental Care are trading names 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 no: 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; http://www.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.
