It’s not a stretch to say that most people want to have straight teeth.  

Many studies have shown that having straight teeth not only affects how someone is perceived by others, but also their own self esteem. What you may not know, however, is that having straight teeth matters for more than just aesthetic reasons – whether or not your teeth are crooked can significantly affect your oral health.  

The straightness of your teeth is known in the dental world as occlusion. Simply put, occlusion refers to the alignment of your teeth. This includes how your teeth fit side-by-side and how your top and bottom teeth fit together. When you’re asked to bite down during your regular dental check-ups, it’s often to check your tooth occlusion to make sure everything is as it should be.

On the other hand, if your teeth are misaligned in some way, that’s known as a malocclusion. Examples of malocclusion include having an overbite, buck teeth or gaps between your teeth. Generally speaking, if your teeth are crowded together, too spaced apart or if your bite leaves too much empty space between your top and bottom teeth your teeth may be maloccluded.  

Crooked or significantly misaligned teeth can also be indicators of larger problems developing down the road. When left untreated, these malocclusions cause significant symptoms, such as tooth sensitivity, receding gums, and continual chipping of teeth. In some cases, it causes severe tooth wear and issues with the jaw joint.

While it’s not uncommon to feel self-conscious about the way your teeth look, the good news is that malocclusion, whether mild or severe, can be treated in a comfortable and efficient way. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available to help correct malocclusion, but one that we often recommend is clear aligners. Clear aligners are recommended based on the severity and nature of the treatment needed.

At Dental Image, we offer two different clear align options: Invisalign is available at our Garden City location and SureSmile is available at our St. Vital location. One of the greatest reasons we love clear aligners is that they are largely non-invasive in nature. Different from ceramic or metal braces, clear aligners are a less noticeable tooth straightening tool preferred by many people thanks to the freedom to eat and drink whatever they’d like on top of easier maintenance.  

If you’re concerned about the straightness of your teeth, or just wondering if clear aligners are an option for you, book your appointment today at either of our two Winnipeg locations – just use the orange Book Online button to get started.

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