Have you had enough of crooked teeth?

Many people are born with crooked teeth. However, in some cases, perfectly straight teeth can become crooked for a variety of reasons. Sometimes straight teeth can become crooked as the structure of your mouth changes with age. In a lot of cases, after tooth loss the remaining teeth can move and become crooked. Teeth straightening can be achieved by a variety of different cosmetic dental techniques. Not everyone needs to have fixed wire braces or wear unsightly headgear to achieve a perfectly aligned smile. There are several options available to you in terms of teeth straightening.

Fixed orthodontic braces.

From a young age, we associate fixed braces as the traditional way that teeth are straightened. Orthodontic braces usually have metal wires attached to the front surfaces of the teeth using brackets. Over time, these brackets and wires are progressively tightened to apply gentle pressure to the teeth and encourage them to move into a straighter position. Obviously, the time it takes to straighten the teeth will depend on the amount of movement required to align your teeth. However, your orthodontist or dentist will be able to advise you how long you will have the braces fixed, following an initial examination or consultation. Nowadays, there is a very wide variety of brackets and brace systems available. There are now smaller tooth coloured ceramic brackets and friction free brace systems available such as the Damon system.

Lingual braces.

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces, as they too involve brackets and wires. However, they are different in that the braces are fitted to the back of the teeth instead of the traditional way of attaching them to the front of the teeth. This means that they are not as visible and can save much of the embarrassment associated with the wearing of braces. Lingual braces can be quite uncomfortable and difficult to get accustomed to. They can also be used to correct severe orthodontic cases.

Invisalign.

The Invisalign system aims to achieve perfect teeth straightening results without the need for visible wires (which can be a source of embarrassment for some people). Invisalign works by slowly moving your teeth into the desired position using a system of clear aligners that look like transparent gum shields. The process involves the aligners being changed every fortnight. The main advantage of Invisalign over traditional braces is that you can remove them to clean your teeth and to eat. This system is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for the straightening of adult teeth.

Inman Aligner.

The Inman Aligner is a hybrid between an invisible brace system and a metal brace system. It is not as “invisible” as Invisalign (as it has metal components) but it relies on a removable aligner that moves the teeth by applying force to them over time. The Inman Aligner is normally quicker than Invisalign. It is also therefore, more affordable.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are an alternative to conventional braces that are “friction free”. They involve less irritation, as they do not have any elastic ties or bands. This makes them more comfortable and so provides faster tooth straightening results than a treatment using conventional braces would.