Although a crooked smile is a common reason for teeth straightening, there are several alternative reasons that your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment. Problems with jaw alignment, grinding teeth, and gum damage also necessitate teeth straightening interventions.
When it comes to how to straighten teeth, several methods are available to fix crooked teeth and align your smile. Traditional dental braces and clear aligners are two options to consider when deciding how to straighten your teeth.
Traditional Dental Braces
Traditional dental braces are the most well-known teeth straightening method. They are made of metal or ceramic brackets that are bonded to your teeth and threaded with wire. The tension created by the wire slowly aligns your crooked teeth by pulling them together over time.
While older versions of traditional braces were a metal colour that some people might consider unsightly, newer versions are made of titanium or steel and threaded with tooth-coloured wire.
The updated style is more visually appealing, especially to adults.
Traditional dental braces are fixed in place and require your dentist to remove them.
Dental braces are an efficient teeth straightening method because removable straightening solutions are taken out for cleaning or eating and are not always in your mouth.
Clear Aligners
Although most people associate traditional dental braces with awkward adolescent smiles, people of all ages benefit from having their teeth straightened. If you are an adult wondering how to straighten your teeth through a more discrete method, consider clear aligners such as ClearCorrect™, AngelAlign, or Invisalign®.
Clear aligners are clear, plastic pieces that you wear over your teeth like a mouthguard. Unlike traditional metal and wire braces, these aligners use natural pressure to fix crooked teeth.
Clear aligners are removable, which makes them the preferred choice for some patients. Many people enjoy that they can eat and brush their teeth without their aligner in their mouth. Although they are typically more costly than traditional braces, aligners are a less invasive and visually obvious straightening method.
How Do I Know If I Need Teeth Straightening?
The first step to figuring out if you would benefit from teeth straightening is to make an appointment with your dentist. If you are dissatisfied with your smile and want to straighten your teeth for aesthetic purposes, talk with your dentist about your options.
Even if you are happy with the look of your teeth, your dentist might recommend a straightening treatment if you have misaligned teeth affecting your oral health and hygiene function. Specifically, if your dentist believes that a straightening treatment would effectively prevent your teeth from grinding or clenching, putting stress on your jaw, or damaging your gums, they may recommend braces or aligners.
Straighten Your Smile
If you are ready to straighten your smile and get your teeth aligned, get in touch with Total Care Dental Studio today. We are happy to speak with you about our orthodontic treatment options and discuss how to straighten your teeth. Call us on (07) 3186 8517 or book your appointment online.
When it comes to achieving a perfectly aligned and radiant smile, Invisalign has emerged as a popular choice for many Read more