“What if only one tooth is crooked?”
I have one crooked tooth. All the rest are pretty straight. Do I need braces for this? Wouldn't braces move my other teeth too?
14 Answers
See your general dentist for that question. It may be a restorative problem and let them determine if you need to see an orthodontist who specializes in orthodontics.
Even if a single tooth is crooked, other teeth have to be moved to allow that tooth to fit in with the rest. Also, other issues might be there that you are not aware of that need to be fixed by full braces. If it is a simple problem, sometimes we use Invisalign or spring aligner. The best solution is to consult an orthodontist.
There are lots of options for straightening one tooth! Retainers with wires, clear - aligner retainers, or a limited segment of braces. As your question notes, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, so it’s always best to consult with an American Board of Orthodontists certified Orthodontist to prevent unwanted side effects. To find a qualified Orthodontist, follow find a Board Certified Orthodontist at: https://www.americanboardortho.com
Dr. Eric Dellinger
Dr. Eric Dellinger
Some form of orthodontic treatment will probably be necessary to correct you one tooth. That said, there may be other options besides braces. Clear aligners (e.g. Invisalign) might be able to correct your dental condition. You should schedule an initial consultation with an orthodontist so that he or she can assess your dental condition and see what treatment options might work best for you.
Braces can move one tooth without moving other teeth, however often times, there may be benefits to slightly moving adjacent teeth also. This is also something that may be able to be corrected with a clear aligner.
I would find a Board Certified Orthodontist in your area and call to see if you can schedule a complimentary consultation. This website has a Board Certified Orthodontist Locator.
https://www.americanboardortho.com/general-public/orthodontist-locator/
I would find a Board Certified Orthodontist in your area and call to see if you can schedule a complimentary consultation. This website has a Board Certified Orthodontist Locator.
https://www.americanboardortho.com/general-public/orthodontist-locator/
A crooked tooth means there may not be enough room in your jaw to fit all your teeth. In order to align the crooked tooth, all others will have to be moved slightly in order to create room for it. At the end of your treatment, though, all of your teeth should fit together like a glove :)
Orthodontists are trained to place brackets based on the position of the teeth or where those teeth are intended to be positioned. If you want to correct the position of one tooth then your orthodontist will be able to make that tooth straight without moving other teeth even though brackets will be needed on other teeth for support and for placing a continuous wire. I hope it answers your question.
The problem is also what is causing the one tooth to be crooked.
Is there a lack of space? Was this caused by a baby tooth being too slow to be lost? Is this tooth fitting improperly with the opposite jaw teeth? Is there too much space, is there something in the gums against the root of the crooked tooth?
All of these and more are possible problems which cause the tooth to be misaligned. So, the answer is never as simple as it would seem and needs further analysis before a definitive answer. Once the real reason for the tooth being in the wrong place is answered, then the course of alignment is much easier to decide.
Is there a lack of space? Was this caused by a baby tooth being too slow to be lost? Is this tooth fitting improperly with the opposite jaw teeth? Is there too much space, is there something in the gums against the root of the crooked tooth?
All of these and more are possible problems which cause the tooth to be misaligned. So, the answer is never as simple as it would seem and needs further analysis before a definitive answer. Once the real reason for the tooth being in the wrong place is answered, then the course of alignment is much easier to decide.
Not necessarily. A retainer may be all that is needed. Clear Aligner therapy like Invisalign ® or ClearCorrect ® is another option. Braces will also correct the single tooth and yes, it will move your other teeth, but that may be necessary. Many times, what you see as a single tooth may actually be more than like. For example, a patient will tell me that have one lower tooth that goes inward. However, upon my exam there is more going on. The upper tooth directly above the lower tooth is also going inward and if we don’t move it forward, we will not be able to move the lower tooth forward. The best thing to do is to get an evaluation to see your options.
Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC
Glenn P. Frial, DDS, MS, APC
In order to answer that question, things like dental arch form, overbite, overjet, midlines, crowding, spacing, rotations, curve of spee, anterior/posterior relation, etc...would all have to be determined. Braces arent' the only option. For minor tooth movement, sometimes a removable aligner retainer can give you a nice result. Many are also candidates for Invisalign.
The best thing to do would be to get an exam/consultation with a certified orthodontist. He/she will be able to tell you your best options.
The best thing to do would be to get an exam/consultation with a certified orthodontist. He/she will be able to tell you your best options.
Yes, braces will move all of your teeth. It would be very difficult for your orthodontist to move just one tooth if there is crowding present. Sometimes we need to shift teeth to the left and right of a tooth or slenderize it (make it a bit smaller) to make a bit more space to straighten the one tooth. It would really depend on how the rest of your teeth look and how your bite is. Hope this helps...Dr. B.
Hello and thanks for the question. Even if only one tooth is crooked, orthodontists must use the surrounding teeth as "anchors" in order to straighten it. Yes, the other teeth will move slightly (in a good way), but the majority of movement will be in the straightening of the one crooked tooth. Invisalign Treatment is also a great option for simple cases. Make sure you go to a certified Orthodontic Specialist for a proper diagnosis. Hope this helps.
Dr. G
Dr. G
I wish that we could move just one tooth! In order to move one tooth, you must connect to the other teeth in order to move the tooth that needs to be fixed. So yes, it would require something on more than one tooth to get the changes that you would like. It could be braces, or invisalign to fix your problem.
If you want your crooked tooth to be properly aligned, braces or Invisalign
would be needed to correct. If it is very minimal, your orthodontist may
try to align it with an active retainer, but this is done when very small
movements are needed. I would recommend seeing an orthodontist for an
evaluation and they'll be able to give you better answers for your specific
situation.
Thanks,
Tony Skanchy, DMD, MDS
South Hills Orthodontics
Office: 385.210.1111
Cell: 859.489.1343
would be needed to correct. If it is very minimal, your orthodontist may
try to align it with an active retainer, but this is done when very small
movements are needed. I would recommend seeing an orthodontist for an
evaluation and they'll be able to give you better answers for your specific
situation.
Thanks,
Tony Skanchy, DMD, MDS
South Hills Orthodontics
Office: 385.210.1111
Cell: 859.489.1343
