Crooked Teeth – Worcester, MA

When Teeth Aren’t Aligned Properly

Do you hide your smile because of crooked teeth? Crooked and misaligned teeth are not just a cosmetic concern; they can also be the underlying cause of dental health problems. Dr. Joseph Costa can offer treatment for crooked teeth in Worcester at our dental office. Because it can be difficult to clean crooked teeth, it can increase the risk of tooth cavities and gum disease. Crooked teeth can also impact the balance of the bite, leading to disorders of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ.

Dr. Costa will evaluate your oral health and bite to determine the best option for straightening your smile and supporting your long-term dental health. We offer treatment options for achieving a straighter, healthier smile without the use of braces for patients with mild to moderate cosmetic concerns.

Straightening Teeth Without Braces

We will work with you to develop a treatment plan to meet your cosmetic goals for a straighter smile. Misalignment can leave you with crooked or crowded teeth, negatively impacting the health and appearance of your smile. You may assume metal braces are your only treatment option. However, we can now recommend clear braces using aligners instead of metal braces. We can help fix your misalignment and improve your smile’s appearance with Invisalign clear braces.

Depending on your specific needs, treatment options can include:

  • Invisalign: Invisalign corrects uneven smiles. We can use the Invisalign clear aligner system to correct your uneven teeth. Instead of metal braces, this system involves wearing clear plastic aligners, which gradually and carefully reposition the teeth. Patients wear them daily and upgrade to a new set about once every two weeks. We will examine your teeth and jaw to see if you benefit from clear braces or if you would be better served with more traditional orthodontics.
  • Cosmetic dental bonding: If minor imperfections or damage affect your smile, cosmetic dental bonding can offer an economical alternative.
  • Dental crowns: When one tooth is rotated or misshapen and lending a crooked appearance, a custom dental crown can be placed to improve the aesthetics of your smile.
  • Dental veneers: Dental veneers will offer a high-quality, lasting treatment option for making over your smile with beautiful results. We recommend treatment for patients who are older than 16 and have minor alignment issues.

Misalignment can lead to oral health complications. In an optimal scenario, our teeth shouldn’t overlap or crowd. Misalignment leads to pressure on the jaw joint and can make caring for your teeth difficult, increasing the risk of oral health issues ranging from tooth decay and gum disease to TMD and teeth grinding. As a result, correcting the issue is best for your oral health.

Crooked Teeth FAQs

Here we will answer popular questions about crooked and misaligned teeth:

Do I Really Need to Straighten My Teeth?

Your teeth and smile are an important part of your overall well-being. Smiling can be a chore when you are self-conscious about your crooked teeth. Straightening your teeth may give you more confidence in this situation. Teeth straightening may be necessary to correct a bad bite. In this case, it should be done to improve your oral health. A bad bite can lead to a painful TMJ disorder. Crooked teeth are also known to cause tooth decay and gum disease.

What is ‘Orthodontic Relapse’?

An orthodontic relapse occurs when your teeth become misaligned after you have already undergone a tooth alignment treatment such as braces. This is a common condition for adults after they had braces in their earlier years. This is not uncommon and can happen for a number of reasons. We are a provider of Invisalign, a great option to re-align teeth. After your clear aligner treatment, we will recommend a retainer to prevent orthodontic relapse from happening.

Can I Use Dental Veneers to Fix My Crooked Teeth?

Yes! Veneers have gained a lot of popularity over the years. Not only will they fix crooked teeth, but they will also whiten and straighten your teeth. Dental veneers can be made to look completely natural and will blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Schedule a Dental Exam Today

Many patients put off the dental care they need for various reasons. Some patients fear the dentist, while others feel they cannot afford to visit the dentist. It is important to remember that letting minor dental concerns go untreated can escalate into complex dental health concerns.

Dental care is an investment in your well-being and quality of life. Worcester dentist Dr. Costa provides compassionate and quality restorative dental care for patients with complex dental concerns if they suffer from poor oral health or advanced dental concerns. Call us today or request a dental appointment online.