Since time immemorial, metal braces were the automatic solution to crooked teeth. However, nowadays things are different. In case you are horrified by the idea of putting a full-dental-load into your mouth, you will be happy to learn that there are now a number of practical methods by which crooked teeth can be corrected without the use of braces. In case you care about how you look, comfort, or you just find it more convenient, the modern dentistry has provided you with the choice of discreet and convenient options in traditional orthodontics.
Why Do Teeth Become Crooked?
Prior to finding solutions it is a good idea to know the cause. The teeth may be crooked or misaligned either because of genetics, childhood habits such as sucking of the thumb, early loss of baby teeth, the size of the jaw or just the natural shifting that occurs as we grow older. The misalignment in other instances is strictly cosmetic. In others, it may influence your biting, chewing, or talking. Which type of treatment is appropriate to you and the degree of misalignment will depend also to a great extent on the kind and extent of your misalignment.
Alternatives to Braces Worth Considering
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Clear Aligners
Clear aligner therapy is the most popular and used of all the alternatives to braces. There are brands like Invisalign which utilize a set of customized removable trays that move your teeth slowly into place. The wear time of each tray in the series is approximately one to two weeks.
When considering the clear aligners and braces, the pros of aligners are difficult to overlook. They are virtually undetectable, removable to eat and brush and they are usually more comfortable than the conventional brackets. The time of treatment will depend on the complexity of the case, but most of the patients will experience results within six to eighteen months.
In the case of wanting an invisible brace in Bayswater, a local dental practice provides clear aligner treatment, which has the entire orthodontic advantage, but not the aesthetic disadvantage of metal hardware.
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Veneers for Crooked Teeth
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells either of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front side of your teeth. Although physically they do not straighten teeth they can give the appearance of a perfectly straight, even smile by covering slight misalignment, gaps, and uneven edges with veneers on crooked teeth.
This is the best alternative that can be applied to patients who have minor cosmetic concerns as opposed to severe bite problems. It usually entails the removal of a small portion of enamel on the tooth surface, impressions, and placement of the veneers in a single or two sessions. The outcomes are both short-term and long-term – they can be ten years or longer when well taken care of.
Veneers are also an option among patients who desire to change their entire smile within a period of time and include whitening, reshaping and correcting their alignment all in one solution.
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Dental Bonding for Teeth Alignment
One of the cheapest and least invasive cosmetic procedures is dental bonding to fix the teeth alignment. A tooth-coloured composite resin is then placed on the surface of the tooth, shaped, cured with a curing light, and then polished so as to blend with the rest of the teeth.
Bonding, similar to veneers, does not relocate the teeth but it may work well in minor overlapping, gaps, and asymmetry. The whole process can be done in one visit, no anaesthesia is needed in the majority of cases, and very minimal natural tooth structure is removed. Although bonding is not as permanent as porcelain veneers, it is an accessible and affordable bridge to that group of individuals who would rather straighten their teeth without braces.
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Retainers and Removable Appliances
In mild cases – especially in younger patients or those who have already completed orthodontic therapy – a custom retainer or removable appliance may be employed to help teeth to move into a more desirable position. These are not as powerful as full aligner therapy but may serve to correct some minor cases or to prevent additional shifting.
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Contouring and Reshaping
Enameloplasty or tooth contouring is a simple procedure that involves the removal of minute quantities of enamel to reshape teeth which seem somewhat crooked because of an uneven shape or sharp edges. It is a fast and painless process which can prove a significant change to the correct person. It can be combined with dental bonding to produce a more refined overall effect.
Which Option Is Right for You?
This question is answered depending on a number of factors: depending on how misaligned you are, your budget, the speed at which you want to see results, and whether your problem is strictly cosmetic or includes functional aspects such as your bite. A qualified dentist or orthodontist will examine your teeth, address your objectives, and prescribe the most appropriate treatment course.
It is necessary to mention that not every crooked tooth may be treated without traditional orthodontics. Even more complicated cases of severe bite issues or jaw deformity might demand braces or surgery. But in case of mild to moderate misalignment of cosmetics the above options are actually effective.
Bottom Line
Have you been putting off fixing your misaligned teeth because you are scared of the prospect of using traditional braces? This is the right time to consider your alternatives. Our qualified staff of Bayswater Dentist will provide you with the entire spectrum of current solutions to make you have a confident, straight smile that you are owed without even a single metal bracket in view. Since we have clear aligners, veneers, and cosmetic bonding, we can design any treatment plan to suit your needs and lifestyle.
Make an appointment with Bayswater Dentist now and get to know how easy it can be to make your teeth straight without braces – when it suits you and at your own speed.