We all have something that we would like to change about our smile. Maybe it’s the missing tooth that you have been meaning to get around to replacing. Maybe your teeth aren’t quite as white as everyone else’s in that family photo. Maybe you’ve been waiting years to have your crooked teeth fixed.
For a lot of us, it’s hard to believe that fixing crooked teeth is as easy as it sounds. If we have grown up with a less than healthy attitude towards going to the dentist, or if we have been to a dentist who hasn’t helped us in the past, it can be easy enough to accept it as something that is never going to change. Something that we just have to live with.
But that is absolutely not the case. First of all, it’s important to remember that crooked teeth are very common and can be caused by a number of factors including genetics, jaw size, dental habits, and facial injuries. What’s more, there are a wide range of treatment options available for anyone who is tired of living with crooked teeth and who wants to get their confidence in their smile back. Here are some of the treatments that you can look at.
Braces
Anyone who had orthodontic treatment as a child or is currently paying for their own children’s dental surgeries will be very familiar with the concept of dental braces, kids dentist Dr Soha Sharif says. For the former group, it is worth noting that the procedure has come a long way over the last few decades, and it is almost certainly not the same as you remember it. Metal braces are made of up wires and bands that are adjusted to keep a constant force on your teeth to move them into the desired position. This is one of the more cost-effective treatments for crooked teeth, but it is important to note that it is also one of the longest. Straightening your smile with dental braces could take anywhere between one and three years.
After the metal braces have been removed, your dentist will fit you with a retainer. Unlike the braces, which are pieces of metal attached to your teeth, the retainer is a removable wire that helps to maintain the re-established line. If you have any queries about whether braces are suitable for you or you would like more clarity on the time frame you would be looking at, you can always talk to your dentist about the best treatment. Anyone in need of a dentist in Brisbane should look at the options provided by Pure Dentistry. They can help with cosmetic and emergency dental treatments, as well as standard check-ups.
Invisalign
If you are worried about the appearance of braces on your smile as you undergo the treatment, you may be more interested in Invisalign. As the name suggests, these are barely visible and allow your dentist to work on straightening your smile without having a lot of extra baggage.
How does it work? Invisalign provides a sequence of clear aligners that fit over your teeth. They are custom made and moulded to your mouth, and your dentist will adjust them around once every two weeks as the line of your teeth begins to change. The dentist will take a 3D scan of your jaw and produce a 3D model from which to make the series of aligners. You will probably be looking at somewhere between 20 and 30 separate aligners throughout the treatment.
The main advantages of Invisalign over braces are the aesthetic difference that we mentioned and that they are removable. That means you can take them out to eat and drink without worrying about anything getting caught. It is worth noting that Invisalign is more expensive, and costs may vary, so talk to your dentist about how much you could be looking at spending.
Veneers
If the idea of braces or straighteners is not for you, one of the most popular options for fixing crooked teeth is dental veneers. A veneer is essentially a shell that goes over your existing tooth to provide additional protection and improve its appearance. Unlike braces, which require an ongoing procedure, veneers can be applied after around four appointments. They are permanently bonded to your teeth, although they will start to decay as a normal tooth would, depending on the material used. Porcelain veneers are more expensive than their composite counterparts, but they will last longer.
Your dentist will create a mould of your teeth and then get you in for an appointment to double-check that everything will fit as it should. They will then conduct a deep clean of your teeth and shave down the surface of the tooth receiving the veneer to create a rough texture that it can be easily applied to. Dental cement will be used and hardened, and that’s that. Dental veneers are a good choice for anyone with one or two teeth out of place that they want to take care of, and they do offer additional protection for chipped teeth.