Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Crowded Teeth Due to Shrinking Jaw Size

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

The size of our jaws decrease with age causing crowded teeth in older adults according to a new study from Sweden.. The research began in 1949 when plaster molds of the jaws of dental students were made, ten years later this was repeated. Molds were again created forty years after the first round and "We found that over these forty years there was less and less room for teeth in the jaw" said researcher Lars Bondemark.

The crowded teeth come from the shrinking of the jaw, mainly the lower jaw, and although it is a small amount it is enough to crowd the front teeth. Why the jaw changes throughout life is not known but the amount of change may be related to heredity and the health of the patients bite.
These finding reflect what I hear from my patients. From middle age onward, patients complain about their teeth looking crowded or that their smile doesn't look "the same". Fortunately the crowded appearance can be corrected and you don't have to visit an orthodontist for a full set of metal braces.

Cosmetic dentistry gives an alternative for those seeking instant gratification and a beautiful smile. Using dental veneers and/or crowns the crowded appearance of your teeth can be changed in just a couple of visits. Dental veneers can also give you a brighter, whiter smile and change the appearance of misshapen teeth removing years from your appearance.

For more information about your options for changing a crowded smile please contact the office of Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell, DMD in Boca Raton, FL today at 561-394-9000. We'll be glad to give you all your options for creating the beautiful smile you've always dreamed of.

Kenneth A. Mogell, D.M.D.