Straight teeth are better than crooked ones when it comes to performing chewing, biting and speaking functions. A straight smile also has the potential for boosting confidence as well as being aesthetically pleasing in appearance; plus you'll be less prone to dental ailments if your mouth is in line with how others expect them too!

The three most common types of malocclusion are overbite, under bite and crossbites. Each one has a significant impact on function as well as appearance for the teeth.

Here is a brief overview of some of the main disorders associated with crooked teeth:

• Periodontitis – Periodontitis or gum disease begins with a bacterial infection.  The bacterial infection is caused by inadequate oral hygiene.  Crooked teeth are hard to clean effectively, which means that debris, plaque and bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas.  Straight teeth are much easier to clean and are at less risk of contracting gum disease.
• Temporomandibular Disorder (TMJ) - Crooked teeth can lead to improper jaw alignment, which in turn causes a painful condition known as TMJ.  Severe headaches, jaw pain, lockjaw and the grinding of teeth characterize this debilitating disorder.
• Tooth injury – Straight teeth creates a strong wall, which means injuries are less likely to occur.  Crooked teeth are weaker and often protrude, making them far more vulnerable to external injury.
• Uneven wear – Crooked teeth cause some of the teeth to work harder than others when biting and chewing.  Straight teeth share the workload evenly, meaning less risk of injury and better aesthetics.

Teeth can be straightened using either orthodontic braces or customized aligning trays. Ortho-braces are usually affixed to the teeth for a set duration and require regular tightening by your dentist; they're removed when treatment is complete! Fixed dental appliances like these may also help with some types of misalignment.

Alignment trays are a great way to move teeth without having it be as drastic. These removable appliances can help those with milder cases of misalignment, and they're replaced every few weeks during treatment for optimal results!