Hi, I’m Dr Michael Cai, the principal dentist of Pitt St Dental Centre here in Sydney CBD.
Last week, I met a new patient Joseph from Walsh Bay. He came in for a dental checkup and clean. During our consultation, he told me that he’s got crowded teeth, but it’s not really bothering him. He said to me, “Hey Michael, I’ve had crowded teeth for years. They don’t hurt or anything.”
We get this question all the time. So I thought I’ll make this quick video, sharing with you what I shared with him.
Sometimes there’s also an increased risk of gum recession with misaligned of the teeth. Because the roots of the teeth are not in an ideal position, sometimes the gums in front of roots become very thin and they can shrink around those teeth.
When the gum shrinks, it means that the teeth become less stable. There’s less support on the teeth, which increases the chance of the teeth having mobility, which can lead to teeth loss.
Another problem crowded teeth can cause is when your bite comes together, the forces on the teeth are not even, so you get differential wear on the teeth. So over time, some teeth will wear out quicker compared to others.
For the teeth that are worn down, if the enamel is worn away, the dentin is exposed, and it can cause sensitivity and pain. In very severe cases, it can even lead to root canal problems.
So in summary, even though it is not painful to have crowded teeth, in the long run, if left untreated, it can create problems such as gum disease because it’s hard to clean. It could mean that certain teeth wear faster, which could lead to root canal issues. And finally, in severe cases, your gum could recess over time, which increases the risk of tooth mobility.
I hope this video gave you a sense of the potential risks of having misaligned teeth. If this is you, and you want to improve our smile, we would love to look after you.
Here at Pitt St Dental Centre, we offer a full range of orthodontic treatments, including both braces and Invisalign clear aligners.
Simply call us on +61 2 8000 1832, complete the form on our website, or send us a DM on social media, and we’ll help you organise a smile consultation. See you in the next video.
