Braces to Move Just One Tooth?

I was lucky to be born with perfectly straight teeth -- except, as I've gotten older, one of my bottom right teeth (the one just before the canine, in the front) has shifted forward and now it's twisted. I'm afraid in a few years it will be really messed up. What can I do? (Sorry, no photo!)

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2 Doctor Answers | Asked by newtoski in Here

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Minor shifting could be a small or larger problem

The small shifting of a single tooth is probably do to some settling of the teeth and the single tooth is getting forced out of alignment. It should be evaluated by an orthodontist to determine the issue. The orthodontist would evaluate your bite in general and if everything is functioning normally (including TMJ), then you may have a relatively easy fix. If it is more complicated, then they will let you know. The key is a proper evaluation by an expert, your... more

Unfortunately it happens!

The same thing happened to my brother. Perfectly straight teeth until his mid-thirties, then a lower front tooth when forward and twisted. He ended up in braces. What commonly happens over time, is that the bite deepens due to long term biting pressures. Since the lower teeth fit within the top teeth, as the bite deepens, all the lower teeth can no longer fit. Typically some teeth go backwards and some go forward and you might start seeing some wear on the... more