Healthy Mama - Collaborative Post
Straight teeth have never been more desirable. Not only do they look great, but they can make it easier for you to maintain a healthy mouth. In the past, fixed braces were the only route to a straighter smile. Now, though, you can choose from several different treatments – some of which can offer you instant results.
Invisalign
Invisalign straightens smiles just like fixed braces, by gently applying pressure to your teeth to gradually move them into line. It works using a sequence of clear aligners, which are custom made to move your teeth little by little. Invisalign aligners are very discreet and can be removed for eating, drinking and brushing. So, they’re a great option if you’re worried about wearing fixed braces.
It’s not wise to move teeth too quickly, so your transformation will take months or even years. Once you’ve completed your treatment, your orthodontist will fit retainers, which you’ll need to wear indefinitely to keep your teeth straight.
To find out more about Invisalign and all your orthodontic options, arrange a consultation with a specialist orthodontist like Dr. Jackie Clune. Orthodontists qualify as dentists and then study orthodontics full time, so you’ll benefit from unrivalled expertise and experience.
Veneers
Dental veneers can straighten your teeth instantly. They hide your own teeth behind a perfect façade – a thin layer of porcelain. They can look fantastic – extremely natural, and you can choose the colour and shape of your new teeth.
The downside, and it’s quite a big one, is that to fit veneers, your dentist will need to trim down your natural teeth. This helps the veneers to adhere to your teeth and stops your smile from looking bulky. If your teeth are very crooked, you might not be a good candidate for veneers. To create straight teeth, your dentist will have to remove a lot of enamel. Once this enamel has been taken away, it won’t grow back, and you’ll always need to wear veneers.
Bonding
Composite bonding is also a quick fix for misaligned and misshapen teeth. It uses a tooth-coloured filling material to change the shape of your teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will prepare your teeth and reshape them using white composite – which will closely match the shade of your teeth. They will check you’re happy with the results before setting them using a curing light. Composite bonding can look very natural, and unlike veneers, it doesn’t damage your teeth, and the results are reversible. However, it’s not a permanent solution, and you may need repeat treatments every few years. It’s also better suited to minor adjustments, for example, correcting height and shape discrepancies. If your teeth are very crooked and crowded, Invisalign or braces will be a better option. Some people combine braces with bonding to complete their smile makeover.
Contouring
Contouring is another technique that can work well to correct mild irregularities. It involves removing tiny amounts of enamel to reshape the contours of your teeth. By improving the shape and symmetry of your teeth, your dentist can create a more uniform smile. The results are instant and permanent. They’ll only remove minimal amounts of enamel – so contouring won’t affect the health of your teeth.
As well as improving the symmetry of your smile, contouring can smooth the edges of your teeth. Like bonding, it’s often combined with orthodontic treatment, which can’t change the shape of your teeth. Tooth contouring is one of the most affordable ways to improve your teeth – with prices starting from around £100 a tooth.
Snap-on smile
Snap-on smiles fit over your natural teeth to give you a perfect smile. They can correct a wide range of concerns, including spacing and staining, all at once. Snap-on smiles are removable, and they don’t damage your teeth, so you can choose to wear your appliance as and when you want. It will fit securely and snugly over your teeth without touching your palette.
Your speech may be affected for the first couple of weeks, but this should quickly return to normal. You can eat and drink most things, but you’ll need to be careful eating sticky foods, which could pull out your new teeth! If you’re thinking about snap-on smiles, do your research. There are lots of cheap imitations available – and you’ll find some unfortunate results on YouTube.
If you’re still unsure about the best teeth straightening option for you, arrange some consultations and speak to the experts. Good luck.
