Teeth Straightening Options
Not all of us are blessed with perfectly straight, evenly spaced, white teeth, yet we would all like to possess that dazzling smile that speaks of confidence in your daily dealings with other people. The best time to have your teeth straightened is when you are quite young, as your jaw and teeth are still growing and can be more easily manipulated.
However, you can still get your teeth straightened as an adult; it just takes a bit longer. Young children are also not as self-conscious about braces as adults. Luckily there are other options now available to straighten adult teeth that are not quite as conspicuous.
Traditionally, braces were constructed of metal which, let’s face it, is not very flattering. Today, with advances in orthodontic treatment, it is quite possible to achieve the same results, without the “railroad track” braces. Before starting on your treatment, your dentist in Vancouver needs to diagnose what is the underlying cause of your crooked teeth. These conditions include gapped teeth, overbite and underbite, crowded teeth and crossbite.
Metal Braces
Generally one of the cheapest options available, but unfortunately, very conspicuous. Brackets are attached to your teeth and these are then connected with metal wires. The orthodontist slowly, over time, adjusts the tension on the wires to achieve the straightening required. Clear plastic and ceramic braces, that have a color similar to your teeth, are also available.
Lingual Braces
The biggest difference, between lingual and traditional braces, is the fact that these braces are attached to the back of your teeth and are therefore far less conspicuous. Lingual braces do, however, have certain drawbacks. They require a longer application time and some people find them uncomfortable. You must be careful what you eat (no crunchy foods like carrots) and they could cause you to talk with a lisp. Because they are on the back of the teeth, they can scratch your tongue when you talk or eat, and this can lead to irritation to the inside of your mouth.
Invisible Aligners
Invisible aligners, such as Invisalign, are clear plastic appliances that fit over your teeth and are clicked into place. Every couple of weeks you will get a new set of aligners which serves to bring your teeth a little further into the ideal position. The big advantage is that they can be removed when eating, and your teeth are much easier to clean properly because you don’t have to brush around braces. Aligners are not suitable for severe re-positioning of the teeth, such as gaps between your teeth or crooked teeth.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin porcelain shells that are adhered to your original teeth. They cannot correct misalignment issues, but are purely cosmetic and they serve to conceal, rather than correct, the imperfections of your teeth.
Whatever your orthodontic problems, there are many solutions out there to not only correct the defects, but, at the very least, to provide you with a measure of cosmetic concealment.