Crooked teeth, are teeth that don’t line up straight. This is a common issue and can happen because of things like genetics, childhood habits, or the size of your jaw.
Crooked teeth can affect how you look and feel about yourself, and they can also cause problems with your oral health, like tooth decay, gum disease, and trouble chewing. But don’t worry - there are many effective treatments available that can help straighten your teeth and improve your smile
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Treatment options
Treatments for crooked teeth
Find out more about the treatments we use to fix crooked teeth, and book at your nearest clinic.
Invisalign
Straightens crooked and crowded teeth. From £2,199.
Available at Fleet Street · Notting Hill · Harrods · Manchester
Composite bonding
Disguises slightly crooked teeth in one visit. £410 per tooth.
Available at Fleet Street · Notting Hill · Harrods · Manchester
Porcelain veneers
Masks mild crookedness and changes shape and colour. £995 per tooth.
Available at Fleet Street · Notting Hill · Harrods · Manchester
Now Available
Problems crooked teeth can cause
Hard to Clean
It’s tougher to brush and floss crooked teeth, which can lead to cavities and gum problems.
Gum Problems
Misaligned teeth can cause gum disease because food and bacteria get stuck in hard-to-reach places.
Tooth Wear
Crooked teeth can wear down unevenly, which can cause them to chip or break.
Chewing Trouble
It can be difficult or uncomfortable to bite and chew food with crooked teeth.
Speech Issues
Misaligned teeth can sometimes cause speech problems, like lisps.
Self-Esteem
Crooked teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile.
Bad Breath
It’s easier for food and bacteria to get trapped, causing bad breath.
Risk of Injury
Teeth that stick out or are not aligned properly are more likely to get injured, especially during sports.
How to fix crooked teeth
Crooked teeth can be straightened at any age. The right option depends on how crooked your teeth are, whether your bite needs correcting, and how quickly you want results.
Invisalign clear aligners
For most adults, Invisalign is the best way to straighten crooked teeth. A series of clear, removable aligners gradually moves each tooth into place. They are nearly invisible, you can take them out to eat, and treatment for minor crowding can take as little as 3 months. Invisalign starts from £2,199 and includes whitening and retainers.
Braces
Fixed braces can straighten even very crooked teeth, and are sometimes better for complex tooth movements. We’ll tell you honestly if we think braces would give you a better result than aligners.
Composite bonding
If your teeth are only slightly crooked, tooth-coloured composite can be added to even out their shape and make them look straighter, usually in one visit and with no drilling. It doesn’t move the teeth, so it works best for small irregularities or after a short course of aligners. £410 per tooth.
Porcelain veneers
Veneers can mask mild crookedness and change the shape and colour of the teeth at the same time. For more crooked teeth, straightening first means less of your natural tooth needs to be removed. £995 per tooth.
Crooked bottom teeth
Lower front teeth often become crowded with age, even in people who had straight teeth as teenagers. Invisalign straightens top and bottom teeth together, and a retainer keeps them straight afterwards.
Can you fix crooked teeth without braces?
Yes. Clear aligners straighten teeth without metal brackets or wires, and bonding or veneers can disguise slightly crooked teeth without moving them at all.
Can you straighten crooked teeth at home?
We don’t recommend it. Rubber bands and mail-order aligner kits without an in-person dentist check can damage the gums and bone or make your bite worse. Safe straightening starts with an examination and X-rays.
What causes crooked teeth?
There are several potential reasons why someone may develop crooked or misaligned teeth.
Genetics
Tooth and jaw alignment is partly influenced by genetics. If a person's parents or grandparents had crooked teeth, they may be more likely to inherit this trait. The size and shape of the jaw and the way teeth erupt can be genetically predetermined.
Thumb-sucking or prolonged use of pacifiers
These habits can apply pressure on the teeth and jaws, causing them to shift out of their positions as they develop. Prolonged thumb-sucking or dummy use can contribute to crooked teeth.
Injury or trauma
Accidents or injuries that affect the mouth and jaw area can cause the teeth to shift out of their proper positions, resulting in crookedness.
Lack of space in the jaw
Sometimes, a person's jaw may be too small to accommodate all of their permanent teeth, causing them to become crowded and misaligned as they erupt.
Early loss of baby teeth
If baby teeth are lost prematurely due to decay or injury, the permanent teeth may not have enough space to erupt properly, leading to crowding and crookedness.
Mouth breathing or tongue thrusting
These habits can exert pressure on the teeth, causing them to shift over time.
Improper bite (malocclusion)
Conditions like overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite can cause the teeth to become misaligned as they grow in
It’s important to note that crooked teeth are often a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Early orthodontic treatment or braces may be recommended to correct the alignment and improve both the appearance and function of the teeth.
Composite bonding or veneers on crooked teeth?
Can you get composite bonding or veneers on crooked teeth? Often, yes, if they are only slightly crooked. Bonding and veneers change the shape of the teeth, not their position, so the more crooked the teeth, the less natural the result. That is why we often recommend a short course of Invisalign first, followed by bonding to perfect the edges.
| Invisalign | Composite bonding | Porcelain veneers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moves the teeth | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Crooked, crowded or gappy teeth and bite problems | Slightly crooked, chipped or uneven edges | Mild crookedness plus shape and colour changes |
| Removes tooth | No | No, or very little | A thin layer of enamel |
| Time | From around 3 months | Usually one visit | 2 or 3 visits |
| Price | From £2,199 | £410 per tooth | £995 per tooth |
Pricing
How much does it cost to fix crooked teeth?
Your first consultation is free. Every Invisalign plan includes free teeth whitening and retainers, and all treatments can be spread over 24 months at 0% finance.
Free consultations · 0% finance over 24 months
Invisalign Express
£2,199 (from £92/month)
Minor crowding, around 3 months
Invisalign Lite
£3,199 (from £133/month)
Mildly crooked teeth, 6 to 9 months
Invisalign Moderate
£3,699 (from £154/month)
Moderately crooked teeth, 9 to 12 months
Invisalign Comprehensive
£4,199 (from £175/month)
Very crooked teeth and bite problems, 12 to 24 months
Composite bonding
£410
Per tooth. Slightly crooked or uneven edges
Porcelain veneers
£995
Per tooth. Shape and colour changes with mild crookedness
See every treatment and price on our pricing page.
Crooked teeth questions
What causes crooked teeth?
Most crooked teeth come from a small jaw with not enough room for the teeth, which often runs in families. Thumb sucking, losing baby teeth early, mouth breathing and injuries can also play a part.
How do you fix crooked teeth?
Most adults straighten crooked teeth with Invisalign clear aligners. Braces suit some complex cases, and slightly crooked teeth can be disguised with composite bonding or veneers.
Can you fix crooked teeth without braces?
Yes. Invisalign straightens teeth without brackets or wires, and composite bonding or veneers can make slightly crooked teeth look straight without moving them.
Can you get composite bonding on crooked teeth?
Yes, if they are only slightly crooked. Bonding changes the shape of the teeth, not their position, so for more crooked teeth we usually recommend a short course of Invisalign first.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth?
Veneers can hide mild crookedness. For more crooked teeth, straightening them first means less natural tooth needs to be removed and the veneers look more natural.
How long does it take to straighten crooked teeth?
With Invisalign, minor crowding can take around 3 months, and most cases take 6 to 12 months. More complex cases can take up to 2 years.
Why are my bottom teeth getting crooked?
Teeth keep moving throughout life, and the lower front teeth are the most likely to crowd with age, especially if you stopped wearing a retainer after braces.
Why are my child’s adult teeth coming in crooked?
Adult front teeth are bigger than baby teeth, so they often look crowded at first and may straighten as the jaw grows. If they are still crooked by around age 8 to 10, it is worth an orthodontic check.
Can you straighten crooked teeth at home?
It is not safe to try without a dentist. DIY methods and mail-order aligners without an in-person check can damage the gums and bone or make your bite worse.
Are crooked teeth bad for your health?
Crooked teeth are harder to clean, which raises the risk of decay and gum disease, and they can wear unevenly or strain the jaw. Many people also straighten them for confidence.
How much does it cost to fix crooked teeth?
At Rüh Dental, Invisalign costs from £2,199 to £4,199 depending on how crooked your teeth are, composite bonding is £410 per tooth and veneers are £995 per tooth. 0% finance is available over 24 months.
Will my teeth go crooked again after treatment?
Teeth naturally try to move back, so you will need to wear retainers after treatment. Retainers are included with every Invisalign plan at Rüh Dental.
Start Your Smile Journey Today
At Rüh Dental, we do things differently. We call it the Rüh difference.
We believe in better than the traditional dentistry of yesteryear that’s left a legacy of fear and therefore neglect because of historic experiences.
Contact Us
Ruh Dental (Fleet Street) Limited (09473949), Ruh Dental (Notting Hill Gate) Limited (10288078) and Ruh Dental (Manchester) Limited (11669648) are registered in England. Registered office: 1st Floor Metropolitan House, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar EN6 1AG.
