Dental emergency? Here’s what to do and who to call
Dentist Disaster

Crooked teeth & bite

Crowded teeth

Routine6 treatment options

When there is not enough space for every tooth, teeth overlap and twist. Learn how crowding is assessed and the options for making room.

How urgent is it? Routine

Not urgent. A child's crowding is best assessed while the adult teeth are coming through, so raise it at routine check-ups. See a dentist sooner if a tooth is painful or the gum around it is swollen.

What it is

Crowding happens when the teeth are too big for the space available in the jaw, so some are pushed out of line, overlap or come through in the wrong place. It is one of the most common reasons children are referred to an orthodontist.

Crowded teeth are not just a cosmetic issue. Tightly overlapping teeth can be harder to keep clean, and in some cases a crowded adult tooth cannot come through at all. An orthodontist will look at how severe the crowding is before deciding how to create space.

Space can sometimes be made by gently widening the dental arch or slimming the sides of some teeth, but more severe crowding may need one or more teeth taking out. Be wary of anyone promising treatment without extractions before they have properly examined you.

Signs and causes

Common signs

  • Teeth overlapping or sitting in front of or behind the arch
  • An adult tooth coming through out of line or not coming through at all
  • Floss shredding or catching between tight teeth
  • Plaque building up in the same hard-to-clean spots

Usual causes

  • A mismatch between tooth size and jaw size
  • Baby teeth lost early or kept too long, affecting where adult teeth come through
  • Late changes in tooth position as we age, often with some increase in crowding
  • Relapse after previous orthodontic treatment when retainers are not worn

Ways to fix it

The options a dentist may discuss with you, and when each one tends to be used. Which one suits you depends on an examination.

  1. Clear aligners

    Mild to moderate crowding that can be solved by modest arch widening or slimming teeth, after a full in-person assessment.

    Usually private onlyOrthodontics

  2. Metal braces

    Moderate to severe crowding, including cases that need teeth taking out to make space.

    Sometimes on the NHSOrthodontics

  3. Ceramic braces

    As for metal braces when a tooth-coloured bracket matters to you.

    Usually private onlyOrthodontics

  4. Lingual braces

    When a hidden fixed brace is preferred and your orthodontist confirms it suits your bite.

    Usually private onlyOrthodontics

  5. Tooth extraction

    When the crowding is too severe to align the teeth otherwise; this is usually done by your regular dentist before a brace is fitted.

    Available on the NHSSurgical

  6. Retainers

    Always needed afterwards to stop the teeth crowding again.

    Sometimes on the NHSOrthodontics

What you can do now

  • Use interdental brushes or floss daily around the crowded area
  • Brush last thing at night and at one other time with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Ask your dentist whether a higher-fluoride toothpaste is sensible if you have had decay

Preventing it

  • Attend regular check-ups so crowding in children can be spotted and referred at the right time
  • Wear retainers as instructed after treatment to reduce the natural tendency for crowding to return

Common questions

Will I need teeth taken out?

Sometimes. Extractions are needed in some adults and young people to align crowded teeth or correct the bite. The British Orthodontic Society warns that claims treatment can always be done without extractions, especially before an assessment, should be treated with caution.

Can crowding come back after braces?

Yes. Teeth tend to move back towards where they started, and crowding can also increase naturally with age. Long-term retainer wear is the best protection.

Can I get braces on the NHS?

Children and teenagers under 18 can be assessed for NHS orthodontic treatment, and it is provided free when their need scores highly enough on a standard index called the IOTN. Adults usually pay privately, although NHS treatment is possible in some complex cases, such as when jaw surgery is needed through a hospital service.

Products that may help at home

These support good daily care; they don’t replace treatment from a dentist. Some links may be affiliate links.

TePe Compact Tuft

A single-tuft brush for precision cleaning where a normal brush struggles – around brackets, along the gumline, crowded teeth…

Features & who it suits

OPRO Gold mouthguard for braces

A self-fit sports mouthguard shaped to sit over fixed braces. Braces can change fit over time, so check with your orthodontist –…

Features & who it suits

TePe Bridge & Implant Floss

Pre-cut spongy floss with stiff ends that thread under wires, bridges and around implants – handy for anyone with fixed braces.

Features & who it suits

Sources we used

Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.