4 Ways to Straighten Your Smile

There are many options available for improving your smile. These vary from traditional braces to newer options, such as Invisalign aligners.

The importance of a straight smile

There are many reasons why people invest in straighter smiles, from looking younger to feeling better about the way their teeth look. Whether you need to straighten teeth for functional or aesthetic reasons, it’s important to have a trusted dentist with years of experience and skill creating beautiful results. There are a number of options to help you get the straightest smile possible, depending on the severity of your misalignment.

Braces

You can get a straighter smile with metal or ceramic braces. They require routine visits to the dentist for adjustments and tightening. The metal brackets are bonded to the teeth with special cement, and the archwires are inserted into the brackets to help move the teeth into proper alignment. Some patients experience tenderness and irritation when they first get braces. These feelings usually go away within a day or two.

Invisalign® Clear Aligners

Another option for straightening your smile is Invisalign® clear aligners. Instead of using wires and brackets to move the teeth, the aligner is a removable tray that fits over the teeth and pushes them gently into place. The trays must be worn for at least 22 hours a day to ensure that the teeth are properly aligned. They are typically removed when eating and brushing your teeth.

Invisalign is a set of invisible, removable teeth aligners that gradually shift your teeth into the correct position. The aligners are completely clear and can be easily removed for eating and oral hygiene purposes. They are custom fit for your mouth and are comfortable and convenient to wear. Unlike traditional metal braces, there are no brackets or wires that can be uncomfortable to clean around.

Invisalign can be used to fix a wide range of issues, including crossbite, overbite, underbite, gapped teeth, crooked teeth, crowding, and more. A consultation with your dentist will help you determine the best treatment for your smile.

Similar to traditional braces, treatment time varies based on your specific orthodontic needs. On average, treatment can take anywhere from six months to two years. However, there are cases where Invisalign can be used to treat some more severe conditions like severely rotated teeth and jaw malformations. In these cases, treatment can take up to three years to complete.

Veneers

If you want to improve the color and shape of your teeth without undergoing orthodontic treatment, talk to your dentist about whether porcelain veneers are right for you. Porcelain veneers are also another effective option for correcting the appearance of crooked teeth. The thin shells of porcelain fit over the front surfaces of your teeth to completely redesign your smile. You can have them applied in just one appointment, and because they are made of porcelain, you don’t have to worry about staining or discoloration. They are also stronger than composite veneers. However, they do require special care to maintain their shape and sheen. Brushing and flossing are still important, but you should also avoid biting your nails and avoiding foods that can stain your enamel.

Dental Bonding

For patients that have minor to moderate issues of spacing or crowding, dental bonding may be an effective solution. Dental bonding involves filling small gaps between teeth or making small adjustments to the shapes of teeth. A composite material is applied to the teeth and hardened with a special light. The result is a perfectly shaped tooth that looks completely natural.

If you’re thinking about getting dental bonding to take care of your smile, then you should book a consultation with a cosmetic dentist near you to find out what options will work best for you.