Do your crooked teeth prevent you from showing off your greatest smile? Crooked teeth can leave a patient feeling insecure about their smile. If you have crooked teeth, it can increase your risk of developing tooth decay, cavities, or gum disease. Dr. Frank Henrich offers a range of cosmetic treatment options that can help realign and correct crooked teeth in Tulsa, OK.
Dr. Henrich can even straighten your teeth in a single visit with dental services that can hide the appearance of a single crooked tooth. During your visit to our trusted dentist in Tulsa OK, we will examine your smile to determine which solution fits your dental needs, budget, and time frame. In today’s modern world, there is nothing we can’t fix.
Why Should You Correct Misaligned Teeth?
Treating crooked teeth can improve the overall quality of your oral health. When your teeth are crooked or misaligned, properly cleaning your teeth may become more difficult. Patients with crooked teeth may be more susceptible to developing tooth decay and cavities due to poor oral hygiene. Crooked teeth can also cause more wear on your teeth, thus leading to an increased risk of chips, cracks, and fractures in your teeth.
Crooked teeth may also indicate a more complex dental problem like TMD or another bite disorder. If you experience jaw pain, toothaches, or headaches, especially in the morning, then you may benefit from finding a solution to realign your teeth.
Crooked Teeth Treatment in Tulsa, OK
At Henrich Dental we provide treatment that is specific to your needs. During your consultation, Dr. Henrich will examine your teeth, mouth, and gums to determine which treatment is right for you. Some patients may benefit from orthodontics, which others may need another cosmetic or restorative treatment. We understand that no two dental cases are alike, so we work diligently to provide personalized, patient-focused dental care to help patients achieve a straighter, healthier smile.
- Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are thin, tooth-colored laminates that we place over the front of the teeth. We create custom-made veneers to match the appearance of your existing teeth. They can cover gapped, misaligned, or uneven teeth. Veneers can also cover slightly crooked teeth for a more balanced look.
- Tooth Bonding: Dental bonding is an effective alternative to porcelain veneers. It requires a small amount of surface structure to be removed from the tooth. The bonding material is color-matched to match your existing teeth to create a natural-looking, healthy smile. Like veneers, bonding can cover one or two slightly crooked teeth to even out the smile.
- Orthodontics: If your issue is more severe than mentioned above, we will recommend orthodontics. Dr. Henrich can recommend a reputable local orthodontist to help align your teeth on time. We will work with you to ensure you get the proper treatments.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
Learn more about how to treat crooked teeth in Tulsa, OK, with answers to these common questions:
Will my crooked teeth get worse?
Every patient is different so there is no standard answer to this question. However, crooked teeth will never get straightened without treatment. Some patients may notice that over time their teeth seem to get more crooked while others may remain the same. The best thing to do is have them straightened because of the oral health issues crooked teeth can potentially cause.
How long does it take to straighten crooked teeth?
This will depend on what treatment you choose. Dental bonding can straighten a tooth in a single visit. Porcelain veneers can straighten them in less than a month. Orthodontics can take anywhere from six months up to 24 months. Dr. Henrich works with the best orthodontists in the Tulsa area to ensure the best treatment.
Do I have to straighten a slightly crooked tooth?
How you want your teeth to look is entirely up to you. You can leave your crooked tooth if it isn’t causing any issues with your health or oral health. However, it is worth straightening if your teeth cause decay or gum problems. You may also want to cover a slightly crooked tooth with a veneer or bonding treatment if you want to change the look of your teeth.
How common are crooked teeth?
Crooked teeth are common. At least 9 out of 10 people have some level of misalignment, also known as malocclusion. This means most of us have teeth that aren’t perfectly straight, whether it’s a slight overlap, a gap, or a more noticeable crookedness. For some people, it’s just a cosmetic issue, but for others, it can lead to bigger problems with their oral health.
One reason crooked teeth are so common is because of wisdom teeth. About 75% of people don’t have enough space in their mouths for these third molars to grow in properly. Wisdom teeth usually come in during the late teens or early adulthood, and if there’s not enough room, they can push against the other teeth, causing them to shift and become crooked.
Other factors, like genetics, thumb-sucking as a child, or losing baby teeth too early, can also contribute to crooked teeth. While not everyone needs treatment for misaligned teeth, fixing them can help improve your smile and prevent future problems.
Do crooked teeth affect health?
Crooked teeth can do more than just affect your smile—they can actually impact your overall health. When teeth are crooked or crowded, it’s harder to clean them properly. Food particles and plaque can get stuck in tight spaces, which can lead to problems like gum disease and tooth decay. Gum disease happens when bacteria build up and irritate your gums, causing them to become swollen, red, and even bleed. If left untreated, it can damage the bones that support your teeth.
Crooked teeth can also cause uneven wear on your teeth, which might lead to cracks or fractures over time. In some cases, misaligned teeth can even cause jaw pain or trouble chewing. They can affect your digestion and overall comfort.
Are crooked teeth genetic?
In some cases, genetics can affect tooth alignment. If overbites or underbites run in your family, you may be predisposed to having crooked teeth. Extra teeth, abnormally large teeth, overbites, underbites, and misaligned jaws are all traits that you can inherit.
Schedule A Consultation
At Henrich Dental, we commit to providing high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Henrich takes the time to address your dental concerns and understand your dental goals. He will thoroughly examine your smile to decide which treatment will best suit your needs.
If you want to explore your options to correct crooked teeth, you can schedule an appointment online or call our Tulsa, OK dental office at (918) 262-4731.