Crowded Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Crowded Teeth?
A dentist can spot crowded teeth. An orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in straightening teeth, treats them. Your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist for diagnosis and treatment. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are crowded teeth?
Crowded teeth are one form of malocclusion. Malocclusion means the teeth are not aligned properly. It can cause tooth overcrowding or abnormal bite patterns.
Your bite is the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Very few people have perfect teeth alignment. Most problems are minor and do not require treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of malocclusion, which includes crowded teeth, are:
- Teeth that are not lined up normally.
- Trouble or discomfort when biting or chewing.
- A change in how the face looks.
- Mouth breathing, which means breathing through the mouth without closing the lips.
- Not being able to bite into food correctly, called an open bite.
Speech problems, such as a lisp, are rare.
Causes and who gets it
Malocclusion is most often hereditary, which means it is passed down through families. It may be caused by a difference between the size of the upper and lower jaws. It may also be caused by a difference between the size of the jaw and the teeth.
The shape of the jaws can also play a part. So can birth defects such as cleft lip and palate.
Other causes include:
- Childhood habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond age 3, and long use of a bottle.
- Extra, lost, impacted, or oddly shaped teeth.
- Ill-fitting fillings, crowns, dental appliances, retainers, or braces.
- Jaw fractures that heal out of line after a severe injury.
- Tumors of the mouth and jaw.
How doctors diagnose it
Most problems with teeth alignment are found by a dentist during a routine exam. Your dentist may pull your cheek outward and ask you to bite down. This checks how well your back teeth come together.
You may need dental x-rays, head or skull x-rays, or facial x-rays. Models of the teeth are often needed to diagnose the problem.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to correct the position of the teeth. Correcting moderate or severe malocclusion can make teeth easier to clean. It can also lower the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Braces and aligners are the tools orthodontists most commonly use to guide teeth into position. Treatments may include:
- Braces or other appliances. Wires or springs apply force to the teeth.
- Clear braces, called aligners, which have no wires. They may be used in some people.
- Removal of one or more teeth, which may be needed if overcrowding is part of the problem.
- Reshaping rough or irregular teeth.
- Surgery to reshape the jaw, which is needed in rare cases.
You will need a retainer to keep your teeth in place after having braces. Plaque builds up on braces and may permanently mark teeth or cause tooth decay if it is not properly removed. Brush and floss every day and see a general dentist regularly.
When to see a doctor
Contact your dentist if toothache, mouth pain, or other new symptoms develop during orthodontic treatment.
Complications of malocclusion include tooth decay and irritation of the mouth and gums caused by appliances.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can listen to your concerns and help you find a dentist or an orthodontist. They can also help you keep track of follow-up visits.
Common questions
Do crowded teeth need treatment?
Not always. Most problems with teeth alignment are minor and do not require treatment.
What causes crowded teeth?
Most often, the cause is hereditary, which means it runs in families. A difference between jaw size and tooth size may also be a cause.
How long does treatment for crowded teeth take?
It depends on how much correction is needed. Treatment may last 6 months to 2 or more years.
Can adults get treatment for crowded teeth?
Yes, adults can be treated. Treatment of orthodontic disorders in adults is often successful but may require longer use of braces or other devices.
Can crowded teeth be prevented?
Not always, because many types of malocclusion are not preventable. Finding and treating the problem early allows for quicker results and more success.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
