Misaligned teeth, also known as malocclusion, can affect the appearance of your smile as well as its functionality. Crooked teeth can negatively impact your bite and affect the way other people perceive you. A malocclusion might subconsciously tell a peer or colleague that you don’t care about your appearance, which may lead them to believe you don’t care about other things. Having a straight, symmetrical smile can do wonders for your confidence and the way people perceive you.
What Causes Misaligned Teeth?
Crowding, misalignment, or malocclusion is a relatively common dental issue affecting countless people both in the US and internationally. Several factors can cause a crooked smile, including some that are behavioral and some that are genetic.
Genetic Factors
- If your teeth are larger than your jaw, your teeth will inevitably not fit correctly in your mouth and may overlap or twist.
- Some people are genetically predisposed to having a smaller jaw. As their adult teeth begin to come in, dental crowding can occur as a result.
- Other people might lose a primary tooth too early, allowing other teeth to move into the space.
- Permanent teeth may not erupt properly if a person’s baby teeth are over-retained. Sometimes this can happen if teeth loosen and then tighten back into the gums, preventing permanent teeth from coming in properly.
Behavioral Factors
- Some instances of malocclusion are a result of childhood habits such as thumb sucking.
- Other times, misalignment might result from an accident where a tooth fell out and allowed other teeth to grow into its place.
- Poor dental hygiene can also play a role in crowded teeth. For example, gingivitis can also affect teeth alignment.
Treat Your Malocclusion With Dr. Marzban
Order is beautiful, especially when it comes to your teeth! Many people go through childhood without receiving the dental care they need to establish the proper foundations for a beautiful smile. If you’re one of those people, it’s not too late to give yourself a smile you deserve. Dr. Marzban specializes in creating beautiful and balanced smiles, so not only can you enjoy a more aesthetically pleasing smile but a more functional one as well. Call Dr. Marzban’s office today at 703-323-8200.
