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Dental problems

Crooked and crowded teeth in Sharjah

Crowding, gaps, rotated teeth or a bite that doesn’t meet properly can all be improved at any age. We explain your options honestly, from braces to clear aligners.

Free assessmentBraces and alignersPay monthly

Straighter teeth at any age

Crooked teeth are very common. Some people are born with small jaws or large teeth, some lose baby teeth early, and many find their teeth shift in adulthood, especially after old braces without retainers. As well as affecting confidence, crowded teeth are harder to clean and can wear unevenly.

This guide explains why teeth become crooked, the problems it can cause, the 3 main ways to straighten them, how long treatment takes and how to keep your result, at Al Jazeera Dental Clinic in Al Majaz, Sharjah.

Clear aligner used to straighten crooked teeth in Sharjah
Clear aligners
Smiling teenager with metal braces in the dental chair
Planning on models
Dentist showing a patient intraoral photos on a tablet during a consultation
Careful planning

Why do teeth become crooked?

The most common reason is a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw. When there isn’t enough space, teeth overlap, twist or are pushed forwards or backwards. Genetics play a big part, so crooked teeth often run in families.

Other causes include losing baby teeth too early or too late, thumb sucking or dummy use beyond early childhood, mouth breathing, tongue thrust, missing adult teeth and extra teeth. In adults, teeth naturally drift forwards with age, and gum disease or tooth loss can let teeth move. Teeth that were straightened as a teenager often relapse if retainers were not worn.

Common problems we treat

  • Crowding and overlapping teeth
  • Gaps between teeth
  • Rotated or twisted teeth
  • Overbite and underbite
  • Crossbite and open bite
  • Relapse after old braces
Why it matters

Problems crooked teeth can cause

Harder to clean

Overlapping teeth trap plaque and food, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease.

Uneven wear

Teeth that meet at the wrong angle can chip, wear unevenly or crack over time.

Jaw strain

Some bite problems put extra strain on the jaw joints and chewing muscles.

Confidence

Many people hide their smile in photos or feel self-conscious when speaking.

Your options

3 ways to straighten crooked teeth

Fixed braces

Metal or tooth-coloured ceramic brackets with a wire. Very effective for all cases, including complex crowding and bite problems. See braces.

Clear aligners

A series of nearly invisible removable trays. Ideal for mild to moderate crowding and gaps in adults and teenagers. See clear aligners.

Veneers or bonding

For very mild unevenness, veneers or bonding can make teeth look straighter without moving them. See Hollywood smile.

Braces or aligners for crooked teeth?

Both braces and aligners move teeth using gentle, controlled pressure. Fixed braces are working all the time and are often the most predictable choice for severe crowding, large rotations and significant bite problems. Ceramic brackets are much less noticeable than metal.

Clear aligners are almost invisible and removable, so you can eat normally and clean your teeth easily. They suit many mild to moderate cases, but they only work if you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. At your free assessment we tell you honestly which option will give the best result for your teeth, not just which one sounds most appealing.

Things that guide the choice

  • How crowded or rotated the teeth are
  • Your bite
  • How visible you want treatment to be
  • How disciplined you’ll be with trays
  • Budget and insurance cover
The process

Straightening crooked teeth step by step

Free assessment

We check your teeth, gums and bite, take X-rays and photos, and talk through your goals.

Plan and cost

You get a clear plan, an estimated timeline and the full cost in writing.

Treatment

Braces are fitted or aligners started, with check-ups every six to eight weeks.

Retainers

When your teeth are straight, retainers hold them in place for the long term.

How long does it take to straighten crooked teeth?

Most treatment takes between six months and two years. Simple cases, such as a few slightly crowded front teeth, can be quicker, while severe crowding and bite correction take longer. Your exact timeline depends on how far the teeth need to move, your age, and with aligners, how well you wear the trays.

Adults can have treatment just as successfully as teenagers, though it can take a little longer. Healthy gums are essential before teeth are moved, so we check and treat any gum problems first.

Typical timelines

  • Minor front-tooth crowding: about 6 to 12 months
  • Moderate crowding: about 12 to 18 months
  • Complex bite problems: about 18 to 24 months

Your plan gives your personal estimate.

Crooked teeth in children

An orthodontic check from around age seven lets us spot problems early, such as crossbites, severe crowding or habits like thumb sucking. Most treatment is still best started when the adult teeth are through, usually between eleven and fourteen, but early advice can make later treatment simpler.

Keep baby teeth healthy, because losing them early can let neighbouring teeth drift into the space and cause crowding. Our children’s dentistry check-ups include a look at how the bite is developing.

Book a check if your child

  • Has very crowded front teeth
  • Bites with a crossbite
  • Sucks a thumb after age five
  • Lost baby teeth very early
  • Has teeth that don’t meet

Crooked teeth in adults

It’s never too late. Many of our patients start treatment in their twenties, thirties, forties and beyond. Some had braces as a teenager and their teeth have moved back; others never had the chance. Clear aligners and tooth-coloured braces make treatment discreet enough for work and social life, and evening appointments until 10 PM make check-ups easy.

Straightening teeth can also make other dental work simpler and more successful, for example before crowns, veneers or replacing missing teeth.

Thinking about veneers? If your teeth are quite crooked, straightening them first usually means less tooth needs to be removed for veneers, and the result looks more natural.

Keeping your teeth straight

Teeth naturally want to move back after treatment, especially in the first year. Retainers hold them in their new position. Most people wear a clear removable retainer at night, and some also have a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. Wearing retainers as advised is the best way to protect your result for life.

Retainers wear out over time, so plan to replace them every few years. If one cracks or no longer fits, contact us promptly, because even a few weeks without one can let teeth start to move.

Retainer tips

  • Wear them exactly as advised
  • Clean them daily with cool water
  • Keep them in their case
  • Bring them to check-ups
Myths and facts

Crooked teeth: myths and facts

Myth: adults are too old for braces

Fact: healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and many patients are adults.

Myth: aligners work for everyone

Fact: aligners suit many cases, but some need fixed braces for the best result.

Myth: straight teeth stay straight

Fact: teeth move throughout life, which is why retainers matter.

Myth: it’s only cosmetic

Fact: crowded teeth are harder to clean and can wear unevenly or strain the jaw.

Caring for your teeth during treatment

Misaligned teeth are already harder to clean, and braces add more places for plaque to hide. Brush carefully around every bracket, use interdental brushes between the wires, and finish with a fluoride mouthwash. With aligners, brush before putting the trays back in and clean the trays daily.

Keep up regular cleans during treatment so your gums stay healthy while your teeth move. Avoid sticky sweets, hard nuts and fizzy drinks, which can damage brackets and stain or decalcify teeth.

Helpful tools

  • Orthodontic toothbrush
  • Interdental brushes
  • Fluoride mouthwash
  • Water flosser

How much does straightening crooked teeth cost in Sharjah?

It depends on how much your teeth need to move, the type of treatment you choose and how long it takes. That is why we do not put one number on this page that could be wrong for you. Your orthodontic assessment is free and you get the full cost in writing before anything starts.

Orthodontic cover varies between insurance plans, so send us your card and we’ll check. Many patients spread the cost in monthly instalments with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick. Insurance and payment options.

Crooked teeth treatment near you in Sharjah

  • Open Sunday to Friday 9 AM to 10 PM, Saturday 12:30 PM to 10 PM
  • Free consultation and X-ray
  • Written cost before treatment
  • Insurance: FMC, NGI, Inayah, Aafiya, SAICO / Damana, GlobeMed, MSH, Fazaa, Esaad
  • Pay later with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick

We’re on Al Khan Street, Al Majaz 3, a short drive from Al Qasba, Al Nahda, Al Taawun, Rolla, Abu Shagara and Buhairah Corniche, with parking in front.

Get directions
FAQ

Crooked teeth questions

Can crooked teeth be fixed without braces?
Mild cases can often be treated with clear aligners. For very small irregularities, bonding or veneers can make teeth look straighter.
Am I too old to straighten my teeth?
No. Teeth can be moved at any age as long as the gums and bone are healthy.
How long does it take to fix crooked teeth?
Usually between six months and two years, depending on the case.
Does straightening teeth hurt?
Teeth feel tender for a few days after adjustments or new trays. Most people manage with soft food and an ordinary painkiller.
Is treatment for crooked teeth covered by insurance?
It depends on your plan. Send your insurance card on WhatsApp and we will check.

Ready for straighter teeth?

Free orthodontic assessment. Pay monthly with Tabby, Tamara or Toothpick.