Crowded or overlapping teeth are one of the most common reasons people seek orthodontic treatment. It happens when there isn’t enough room in the jaw for the teeth to sit naturally, so they push, twist or rotate to find space.
Crowding affects both children and adults and can develop or worsen over time. The good news is that there are several reliable treatment options — from near-invisible clear aligners to fixed braces and, in some cases, retainers or veneers.
Information on this page is general and not a substitute for a clinical assessment. Suitability, treatment time and cost are confirmed in writing after an in-person consultation with a GDC-registered dentist. Outcomes vary between patients.
Fixed braces. Metal or ceramic brackets connected by a wire that gradually moves the teeth into position. Reliable for mild through to severe crowding. Ceramic brackets are less visible than metal.
Clear aligners. A series of near-invisible, removable plastic trays that move the teeth in small planned steps. Trays are typically changed every one to two weeks. Excellent for mild and moderate crowding; more complex cases are reviewed individually.
Retainers. Used after most orthodontic treatments to hold teeth in their corrected position. In some very mild cases, a removable retainer may itself be sufficient to align teeth slightly.
Veneers. Thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth to make them appearstraighter. Veneers don’t move the teeth and don’t address the underlying crowding — they’re a cosmetic option, not an orthodontic one, and usually involve some removal of healthy tooth structure.
Crowns.Crowns can occasionally be used to reshape a tooth that is out of position, but because they require significant removal of tooth structure they’re rarely the best choice for cosmetic alignment alone.
Tooth extraction. In severe crowding, your clinician may suggest removing one or more teeth to create the space needed for the rest to align. Extraction is one option among several and is always discussed in writing before any decision is made.
Crowded teeth — treatment options at a glance (general guide)
| Treatment | Typical duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed metal braces | 12–24 months | Reliable across most cases; followed by retainers. |
| Fixed ceramic braces | 12–24 months | Less visible than metal; followed by retainers. |
| Clear aligners (incl. ProAligners) | 6–18 months for mild/moderate cases | Removable, near-invisible; suitability confirmed by 3D scan. |
| Retainers | 6–12 months for mild correction; lifelong nightly wear after orthodontics | Cheaper than braces; limited movement only. |
| Veneers (per tooth) | 1–2 visits | Cosmetic only; doesn't address crowding. |
| Tooth extraction | 1 visit + braces or aligners | Permanent — considered when crowding is severe. |
Related conditions
FAQs
Not always. Many cases of crowding can be treated without removing teeth — especially mild and moderate cases. Where space is very limited, your clinician will discuss extraction as one option alongside others, including expansion and interproximal reduction.
Brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire. The wire is shaped to gently and gradually pull the teeth into a planned position. Treatment usually takes 12–24 months depending on the case.
Mild cases of crowding may take 6–8 months; moderate cases typically 9–18 months. Severe cases may take longer or need fixed braces. Treatment time is confirmed in writing after a 3D scan.
We don't recommend DIY teeth straightening. Without proper diagnosis, X-rays where needed and supervision by a GDC-registered clinician, there's a real risk of damaging the teeth, gums and supporting bone.
Some natural drift is normal as we age, particularly in the lower front teeth. Wearing your retainers exactly as prescribed — usually for life, often only at night — is the best way to keep your result stable.
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London Braces is part of Medical and Dental Limited. Our South Kensington clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC location ID 1-20629579981). All clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council.
