While malocclusion may be inherited, children’s habits such as tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, incorrect swallowing, and mouth breathing may also negatively impact the development of the jaw and cause crooked and misaligned teeth.

Premature loss of baby teeth may cause crowded teeth later on. Jaw fracture as a result of accidents can also cause misalignment of the teeth.

These problems should be evaluated and treated while the child is still growing up (preferably between the age of 4 and 10, before the child is required to wear braces). Early detection and treatment of these problems can spare the child from braces and extraction later on.

Metal or wire braces are usually used to correct crooked, misaligned teeth. Those who think these are too cumbersome may opt for invisible and removable aligners called Invisalign. This procedure involves the use of 3-D imaging technology to track the correction done from the initial treatment up until the final position of the teeth is achieved.