Can You Fix Crooked Teeth
The majority of the population naturally has crooked teeth for various reasons. Cosmetic dentistry has made a number of options available to patients who wish to correct a crooked smile! Patients with crooked and crowded teeth often have a hard time properly cleaning their teeth so even though you may be happy with your smile, straight teeth are often healthier than crooked teeth.
Orthodontic therapy is one of the most popular ways for patients to straighten their smile. Adult patients who do not wish to have a traditional braces have the option for a clear aligner therapy that uses plastic trays to gently shift and straighten your teeth. Let’s take a look at some other options available to patients who want to fix crooked teeth!
Traditional Braces
Metal braces are the most commonly used treatment to straighten teeth and fix malocclusion. Malocclusion is simply a bad bite. When the teeth do not come together correctly, patients can experience pain when eating and risk chipping or even fracturing teeth.
Braces can take anywhere from six months to a few years to correct your smile. This is not ideal for a lot of adult patients who are in the workforce and do not want to walk around with a mouthful of metal!
Clear Aligner Therapy
Clear aligners such as Invisalign and Clear Correct are a great option for patients that do not want traditional braces. The length of treatment depends on the severity of each individual case. Some patients may be able to achieve a straight smile within six months while others need a year or two.
Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and multiple photos of your face and bite. They are submitted to the aligner company Who will then create a 3D computer imaging presentation so you can see exactly how your teeth will move and how the final results will look before you actually begin treatment.
Once you agree to treatment, your case will be submitted and your trays will be fabricated. Clear, hard plastic trays are worn for 22 hours per day and are changed every 10 to 14 days to gradually shift and rotate your teeth into position. The only time you should have your aligners out are for eating and oral hygiene.
One great benefit for clear aligners is that your general dentist may be able to provide this type of orthodontic treatment for you! A number of dentists are preferred providers for clear aligner therapy and have the skills necessary to correct crooked teeth.
Dental Bonding
Patients that have mild misalignment may be able to take advantage of dental bonding to correct uneven and crooked teeth. Dental bonding is a non-invasive way to get quick results in one visit to your dentist!
Your dentist will apply a composite material to the surface of your teeth and can close gaps and re-shape uneven teeth.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another way for adults to fix crooked teeth. dental veneers are a thin porcelain restoration that is cemented directly to the front surface of the teeth. Veneers are also a much quicker treatment than orthodontia. Most cases can be completed within a few weeks! Dental veneers are very strong and are resistant to chipping and staining and can last up to 20 years!