Crooked teeth: a very common problem
According to the NHANES III survey, 57% to 59% of the US population has some degree of orthodontic treatment need, and only 35% of adults have well-aligned lower front teeth (Proffit WR et al., Int J Adult Orthodon Orthognath Surg, 1998).
The problem is just as common in children and teenagers: crowded teeth affect around half of 12-year-olds in the United Kingdom (Turner S et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021); in a study of 1,200 schoolchildren aged 10 to 15 in India, 53.7% had a malocclusion and 32.8% needed orthodontic treatment (Kumar P et al., Med J Armed Forces India, 2013); and in a study of 486 young people aged 16 to 24 in the United Arab Emirates, 26.5% had a very severe malocclusion (Dental Aesthetic Index above 36), for which orthodontic treatment is considered mandatory (Mangat SD, J Pharm Bioallied Sci, 2020).
The clinic's approach is that a natural tooth that can be saved is preferable to any replacement, and in many cases natural teeth can be kept and straightened.
Crooked teeth are extremely common, yet many people put off treatment for years. At the clinic, treatment follows an individual plan that combines digital technology with a conservative approach: the aim is to keep natural teeth and achieve a pleasing, stable result. Every teeth-straightening treatment begins with a diagnosis and an individual treatment plan.
How to fix crooked teeth
There are several effective ways to treat crooked teeth and protruding teeth; the choice depends on how severe the problem is, the patient's age and his or her aesthetic expectations.
- Clear aligners: removable clear trays, well suited to mild to moderate misalignment.
- Ceramic or metal braces: effective for a wide range of malocclusions (bite problems).
- Dental veneers: a cosmetic option only for teeth that are slightly out of line. Veneers do not move teeth; they mask a mild irregularity and require removing a layer of enamel, which is irreversible.
- Combined treatment: orthodontics followed by cosmetic dentistry for a comprehensive result.
Consultations are held in English, and you leave with a written treatment plan.
What causes crooked teeth?
The main mechanism is a mismatch between the size of the jaw and the size of the teeth: a jaw that is too short or teeth that are too large cause crowding that forces teeth out of line. Genetics plays a major role, but environment matters too. Modern diets of soft, processed food have reduced the natural wear of the teeth, which once preserved space between them.
Other causes of crooked teeth include:
- Early loss of baby teeth: the arch loses space needed for the permanent teeth.
- Childhood oral habits: prolonged thumb sucking or tongue thrust.
- Mouth breathing: affects jaw development and tooth position.
- Heredity: jaw structure is inherited and influences how the teeth line up.
What problems can crooked teeth cause?
Crooked teeth are not only a cosmetic issue: they can affect cleaning, the bite and chewing, and sometimes self-confidence.
- Hygiene: crowded or overlapping teeth are harder to reach with a toothbrush and floss, so plaque builds up; this can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Wear: teeth that do not meet properly take uneven loads and can wear down or chip faster.
- Chewing: a poor bite can make biting and chewing less efficient.
How gum disease makes teeth shift
Gum disease (periodontitis) is one of the most common reasons teeth move in adulthood. When the bone supporting the teeth is lost because of chronic inflammation, the teeth lose their anchorage and start to drift. Unlike movement during childhood, which comes from growth, this is a progressive weakening of the supporting structures.
Teeth that have moved because of gum disease need treatment in two stages: first the inflammation is brought under control, and only then are the teeth straightened.
That is why gum treatment always comes before any straightening, so that the teeth being moved sit in a healthy, stable environment. Where gum disease has caused severe damage, a dental bridge may also be needed to restore the area alongside orthodontic treatment.
Crooked teeth treatment: how it works
Case from the clinic
A 32-year-old man with mildly to moderately crooked teeth came in for a consultation. The clinic's intraoral scanner (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3) produced a full 3D image within minutes, without impression material, and the whole course of treatment was planned before it began.
Treatment follows clear steps: a full digital diagnosis, an individual treatment plan, the choice of straightening method and regular follow-up throughout treatment.
Who treats: Dr Haim Aseriel fits clear aligners; ceramic and lingual braces are placed by an orthodontist who treats patients at the clinic, in coordination with the rest of the team. When active treatment ends, clear retainers keep the teeth in their new position.
Invisalign for crooked teeth: straightening with clear aligners
Straightening with removable clear aligners is popular with adults because it treats crooked teeth effectively without a noticeable change in everyday appearance.
Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners can be removed for eating and brushing, which makes oral hygiene much easier during treatment. In practice, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day, and each aligner is usually worn for about a week, as instructed by the dentist; the teeth move gradually. At the clinic, the series of aligners is planned digitally from the intraoral scan. This method suits mild to moderate misalignment. Dr Haim Aseriel has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2014 and is also certified in Spark aligners (Ormco). Learn more about Invisalign in Jerusalem.
Once the teeth are straight, some patients add cosmetic treatment such as teeth whitening or veneers.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
When should treatment start?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, when alignment problems can already be detected and jaw development can sometimes be guided. That said, many adults also achieve very good results later in life.
During growth the bone is more responsive, so straightening is simpler and faster. In adults, treatment is entirely possible but sometimes requires more complex planning.
To book a consultation with Dr Haim Aseriel, contact the clinic at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem. At the end of the visit you receive a detailed written treatment plan and a personalized quote. Opening hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Crooked teeth: frequently asked questions
Crooked teeth are fixed mainly with orthodontic treatment: removable clear aligners, suited to mild to moderate misalignment, or fixed braces (ceramic or metal), suited to a wide range of bite problems. Veneers do not move teeth; they can only mask a mild irregularity. The choice depends on severity, age and expectations, and is made after an examination.
The main cause of crooked teeth is a mismatch between the size of the jaw and the size of the teeth: a jaw that is too small or teeth that are too large create crowding that pushes teeth out of line. Other causes include heredity, early loss of baby teeth, childhood habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrust, and mouth breathing.
Yes. Gum disease (periodontitis) destroys the bone that supports the teeth, so teeth lose their anchorage and can start to shift. Teeth that have moved for this reason need treatment in two stages: first the gum disease is brought under control, and only then are the teeth straightened.
Yes, in many cases crooked teeth can be fixed without braces, with removable clear aligners such as Invisalign or Spark, especially for mild to moderate crowding, gaps and rotated teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), aligners must be worn at least 22 hours a day and are not right for everyone; more complex cases may be treated more predictably with braces. Veneers can mask a mild irregularity, but they do not move teeth and require removing enamel.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7, when alignment and bite problems can already be detected, even though treatment, when needed, often starts later. Adults can also have their teeth straightened, provided the teeth and gums are healthy.
Sources
- Proffit WR et al., International Journal of Adult Orthodontics and Orthognathic Surgery, 1998 – View source
- Turner S et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021 – View source
- Kumar P et al., Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 2013 – View source
- Mangat SD, Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2020 – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, Clear Aligners – View source
- American Association of Orthodontists, When Should a Child First See an Orthodontist? – View source
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy – Veneers – View source
