Teeth straightening dental procedures are very popular. A lot of people have healthy teeth, but they still suffer from low self-confidence in terms of flashing a smile because their teeth are crooked and misaligned. Dentists also consider crooked and crowded teeth as a recipe for disaster, since they don’t give toothbrushes enough space to clean teeth in between and they give bacteria great hiding places. That’s why they often recommend dental straightening procedures because, in a way, these procedures can also help prevent major teeth problems such as cavities, plaque buildup, and tooth decay.
But what are the different dental straightening procedures you can avail of?
Today’s Popular Teeth Straightening Options
- Traditional Orthodontics
- Invisalign Invisible Braces
- Dental Veneers
- Cosmetic Teeth Contouring
1. Traditional Orthodontics
Traditional braces are still the most popular, most effective, and most guaranteed way to make teeth straighter. The benefits of braces make up a wealthy bunch, and when it comes to having straighter teeth, the biggest benefit is that braces ensures long term, permanently straighter teeth, and also promises to bring along some significant improvements in facial or jaw structure.
How do they work? Braces slowly but surely put pressure on your teeth so that teeth are gradually shifted to a better position. Braces are made up of plastic or ceramic brackets attached to the surface of your teeth and held together by a tightening wire. The wire is what determines the ideal position of your teeth and guides the teeth accordingly. The downside is that braces tend to be a conscientious procedure. You need to visit your dentist at least once a month to make sure the wire is tight and to check the condition of your teeth.
If you don’t want full braces and the problem with your teeth is not that major, you can also ask your orthodontist if retainers can already do the trick. In such cases, you can also ask for a removable orthodontic appliance, which is also very ideal for the top teeth.
2. Invisalign Invisible Braces
If you don’t like the idea of having all that metal in your mouth but you want the full benefits of braces, then you’re lucky because we now have invisible braces. Invisalign invisible braces are braces made of a series of transparent plastic aligners or mouthpieces that are placed on the teeth to surround them and guide them slowly into the right place. Treatments are usually completed in a year.
There are drawbacks to this option, though. Invisalign invisible braces are certainly costlier than traditional braces, and they are not as effective as the wired braces in the more complex cases.
3. Dental Veneers
Don’t like your crooked teeth but don’t want to go through all the trouble and pain of getting braces? Why don’t you get veneers? Veneers don’t really straighten up your teeth, but they do quite a good job covering up misalignment. They’re the next best thing, not only because they can make teeth look straighter, but also because they bring other benefits. Since veneers will cover problem teeth completely, it means even discolorations and stains, minor chips, and other minor imperfections are also covered up. You end up not just with straighter-looking teeth but also with teeth that looks white, polished, and clean.
You can choose either ceramic veneers or porcelain veneers. These are sometimes considered as cosmetic dental procedures so do check with your dental plan if this is included in the coverage.
4. Cosmetic Teeth Contouring
One last option is cosmetic teeth contouring, a cosmetic dental procedure that reshapes the problem teeth to make them look straighter and make them into a better fit for your whole set. This requires a series of procedures that will take up to 3 visits to your dentist and the special expertise of a dentist specializing in cosmetic dentistry. As a cosmetic procedure, this could be more expensive. The good thing, however, is that it is pain-free; in this aspect, it has one major advantage over the painful braces.
There are some cases, however, that should be considered as somewhat special cases. Most people with crooked teeth have them due to hereditary factors. Sometimes, though, crooked teeth has roots in other medical conditions or environmental factors. Usually these conditions start affecting teeth development when a person is still young. Some environmental factors that can easily cause crooked development of teeth is sucking on objects or a finger and nail biting. Knowing these factors can also help you prevent crooked teeth so you won’t need teeth straightening treatments in the first place.