What is Dental Crowding? (4 Primary Factors Causing It)

Dental crowding is one of the most common oral conditions. The teeth, mounted one on the other, especially in young people, will engender displeasure when the afflicted person smiles; it’s a serious aesthetic and functional problem.

This article will show what dental crowding is, what causes it, possible complications, if it can be prevented and treatment options.

What is Dental Crowding?

Crowding refers to a problem in the position and alignment of the teeth; that is, they are piled up, giving the impression that they do not fit in the mouth. For different reasons, there may not be enough space for the teeth to align in the proper position.

Crooked teeth in addition to overlapping each other can be rotated forward or backward with respect to the neighboring teeth. These positions determine the level of the severity of the crowding, which is then classified as mild, moderate, and severe.

What Causes it?

Crowding can be caused by several factors:

1. Habits

Thumb sucking or use of pacifiers and bottles for a long time, pushing the tongue against the teeth.

2. Loss of primary teeth

When the temporary teeth are lost prematurely, this poses a difficulty for the permanent ones since the spaces where these teeth go may have been reduced.

3. Very large teeth or very small maxilla and mandible bone

This is associated with hereditary factors. If one of the parents presents any of these characteristics, it is very likely that the child will also display dental crowding.

4. Wisdom teeth

When the third molars erupt and there is not enough space to house them, it is likely in some cases that other teeth will overlap one another. If you’re planning to have the wisdom tooth removed, you can check this article to learn more.

What are the Complications of not Treating Crowded Teeth?

1. Aesthetics

A smile displaying crowded teeth is less harmonious than one with straight and aligned teeth. In many cases, this aesthetic problem can cause low self-esteem, making those who present it avoid smiling and not show their teeth.

2. Tooth decay and gum disease

Having crowded teeth can make hygiene difficult; the brush and dental floss do not reach all surfaces of the teeth. Plaque or tartar can accumulate and dental caries may appear. It may also result in gum inflammation and bleeding, leading to gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.

3. Bite problems

During crowding, the upper teeth do not mesh with the lower ones, causing masticatory problems, wear between the teeth, and in more extreme cases, joint alteration.

Is it Possible to Prevent Dental Crowding?

In most cases, yes. This problem begins to be observed from the time the child begins the process of replacement, that is, when they lose the primary teeth and the permanent ones emerge. It is very important to schedule regular visits with a dentist or pediatric dentist to evaluate the growth of the child’s maxillary bones. The dentist will assess their habits, the position and size of the teeth, and start treatment at an early age to avoid future complications or more invasive treatments.

What is the Treatment for Dental Crowding?

Treatment will depend on age and the severity of crowding.

Some options are:

• Orthopedics: Appliances to correct the maxillary or mandible bones

• Orthodontics: Braces and/or aligners to correct the position of the teeth

• Tooth extractions: In some cases, extractions allow for opening space to locate the teeth properly.

The treatment will depend upon the age of the patient and the severity of the crowding. In each case, one or several combined treatments may be required.

To go deeper into this topic and learn about the different types of orthodontics and appliances to correct dental crowding, you can visit the “treatment” section of our website, where the information will be expanded.