Crooked Teeth Treatment in Brookline, MA

Arch size is largely determined during growth, and the tongue plays a central role in shaping it. A tongue resting against the palate applies gentle outward pressure that helps the upper arch develop to its full width. A low tongue posture, usually caused by mouth breathing, removes that influence and the arch develops narrower.

That is why crowding and disrupted breathing so often appear together in the same patient. Reviews of craniofacial development in children with sleep-disordered breathing describe this relationship, and it is the basis of the pediatric airway work this practice is known for.

In adults, teeth also continue to drift. Late lower incisor crowding is common regardless of whether braces were worn as a teenager, and losing a tooth accelerates it as the neighbours tip toward the space. Retention after any orthodontic treatment is what prevents relapse.

Overlapping teeth create surfaces a brush cannot reach and floss struggles to pass. Plaque accumulates in those spaces, and the inflammation that follows is the starting point of gum disease. Patients with significant crowding often have localised areas of chronic bleeding that never fully resolve.

Uneven contacts distribute chewing force unevenly. Certain teeth take more load than they were designed for, which accelerates wear and increases fracture risk. Where clenching is also present, the combination is considerably more destructive than either factor alone.

Straightening addresses both, which is why alignment is often the first stage of a wider plan. Correcting position with Invisalign clear aligners before any porcelain means far less enamel needs removing for the final restorations.