Having crooked teeth can interfere with a person's appearance and self-confidence. However, actually the impact of the condition of uneven teeth does not end there. Problems with uneven teeth are also at risk of causing speech problems, difficulty chewing, to problems with dental and oral health.
In medical terms, the condition of an uneven arrangement of teeth is called dental malocclusion. The uneven formation or arrangement of teeth is generally caused by the size of the jaw being too small, so that there is not enough space for the teeth to grow. As a result, the teeth will appear to grow irregularly.
Various Causes of Uneven Teeth
Uneven teeth are generally genetic or passed down from parents to their children. Even so, the shape of an uneven tooth arrangement can also be caused by several other things, such as:
- Bad habits as a child, such as frequent thumb sucking and using a pacifier or bottle for too long.
- Injury to the jaw that causes an uneven jaw alignment.
- Tumors in the jaw or mouth.
- Infection or inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
- Incorrect or inappropriate dental care. Usually this happens if dental treatment is not carried out by a dentist.
- Harelip.
To determine how severe the condition of the uneven teeth is and what causes it, it is necessary to have an examination by a dentist.
In evaluating the condition of your dental health, the doctor will perform a physical and supporting examination, such as dental X-rays and dental impression (dental impression). In addition to diagnosing and finding out the cause of uneven teeth, this examination also aims to determine the appropriate treatment steps.
Problems That Can Arise Due to Uneven Teeth
Uneven tooth structure or shape can make some areas of the teeth unreachable when you brush your teeth, so that plaque can form due to the buildup of dirt on the teeth.
In the long term, this can lead to dental health problems, such as:
- Formation of tartar
- Cavity
- Tooth decay
- Gingivitis
In addition, misaligned teeth can also cause discomfort or difficulty when speaking or chewing and biting food.
Therefore, immediately consult a doctor if you have an uneven arrangement of teeth. After the doctor knows the cause, the doctor can provide the right treatment to correct the uneven arrangement of your teeth.
Steps for Handling Uneven Teeth
Treatment for uneven teeth varies from patient to patient, depending on the cause, severity of the condition, and the results of the diagnosis. If the condition is classified as mild, usually uneven teeth do not require special treatment.
However, if the misaligned teeth are caused by certain diseases or have caused interference, then the doctor needs to address these conditions.
After the cause is resolved, the doctor can perform the following treatment steps to improve the patient's tooth structure:
- Installation of braces.
- Tooth extraction when the arrangement of teeth is too dense and not neat.
- Installation of a tooth positioning device or retainers which can be removed and installed.
- Use of dental veneers.
- Surgery to correct the shape of the jaw.
To ensure that your teeth can grow properly with an even and neat arrangement, it is important to have regular dental check-ups with your dentist at least every 6 months.
If there are dental health problems, including uneven tooth shape, the doctor can take appropriate treatment according to the severity and cause.