As the name would suggest, “crowded teeth” is a condition in which you do not have enough room in your mouth to fit your teeth normally. The result is that your teeth can bunch up, overlap, twist, or get pushed to the front or the back of your mouth. This last condition creates an overbite of either the top teeth over the bottom, or vice versa. Any of these misalignments are called “malocclusions.” (Mal- means “bad”; occlusion refers to the way the top teeth and the bottom teeth fit together when the jaws are closed.)

Classifications of Malocclusions

Class 1

A Class 1 malocclusion is a slight overbite, with the upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth a bit. Despite the overlap, the bite is normal, and this the most common class.

Class 2

In a Class 2 malocclusion, the overbite is severe: the upper jaw and teeth significantly overlap the lowers.

Class 3

A Class 3 malocclusion is a severe underbite; the lower upper teeth and jaw overlap significantly overlap the uppers.

What are the Causes of Crowded Teeth?

It is usually hereditary, but other conditions and activities can also contribute to the situation, such as:

An injury that results in a misalignment of the jaws
Cleft lip or palate
Childhood activities extended beyond the usual age, such as sucking the thumb, using a pacifier past three years old, and bottle feeding

What Kinds of Problems can Crowded Teeth Cause?

A Class 1 malocclusion does not usually cause much, if any type of problem. However, Class 2 and Class 3 malocclusions may cause any of the following:

Discomfort when chewing or biting, or an inability to thoroughly chew food. This can translate to digestive issues, if severe enough, since the act of chewing helps produce saliva, which contains enzymes that start to break down food before it reaches the stomach.
Frequent biting of the tongue or the inner cheeks when chewing
Changes in the face’s appearance
Various types of speech problems, including a lisp
Because the upper and lower jaws do not meet properly and the mouth cannot close completely, breathing through the mouth, rather than through the nose

What is the Treatment for Crowded Teeth?

Class 1 rarely requires treatment. Depending on the source and severity of the Class 2 or Class 3 problem, the type of treatment that will alleviate it will vary. Possibilities include:

Simply removing some of the crowded teeth
Braces to reposition the teeth
Reshaping the teeth with bonding or caps
Shortening or reshaping the jaw with surgery
Stabilizing the jaw bone with plates or wires

Why Choose Pasadena Smile Center for Treating Crowded Teeth?

The dentists at the Pasadena Smile Center are highly experienced in the treatment options for crowded teeth. However, more than just technical expertise, they have the artistry to create the attractive smile you want and use the most non-toxic, natural materials to safeguard your overall health. We care about our patients and perform an array of advanced dental procedures to resolve crowded teeth for a perfect smile – at last. Contact our Pasadena dentists today.

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team