Crowded teeth

Crowded teeth happen when the jaw does not have enough room for all of the teeth. They may overlap, twist or push out of line. Sometimes malocclusion happens if your teeth are too large, or too crowded, for your mouth.

Crowding can make teeth harder to clean, so plaque may build up in tight spots. That can raise the chance of cavities and gum problems. Crowding is one kind of malocclusion.

Treatments can include braces or clear aligners. In some cases tooth extractions are used to ease overcrowding and make more room in the jaw. A dentist can look at your teeth and talk with you about the choices. Our office describes straightening on its teeth straightening page. See also braces.