Teeth Straightening

Straightening crooked teeth can give your self-esteem and confidence a big boost. But it also carries implications for ensuring a lifetime of good dental health. With so many options available for straightening your teeth and a dental team who only has your best interests at heart, you and your family have access to proven solutions to address crooked teeth and give you the smile makeover you crave.

 

Today more than ever, everyone seems to want straight, perfect teeth. Teeth straightening can improve your appearance and confidence, but it can also help you maintain healthy teeth, minimize tooth damage, and chew more effectively. There are a lot of methods today for how to straighten teeth, especially how to straighten teeth without braces.

Finding an oral care team that you trust, such as Albany County Dental Associates, is a key to finding the best method for you. If you have a versatile team, they know how to straighten teeth. Teeth straightening is an expanding art form, and you’ll find more options to straighten teeth than you may have imagined. And don’t lose hope if you are looking for a way to straighten teeth without braces, because those options are available today too.

New and Improved Braces

You may be looking for a way to straighten teeth without braces. Or perhaps you’re older than the typical teen who needs braces and are concerned about walking around with a “metal mouth.” If you don’t like the appearance of braces, there are a few great options to consider. Talk to your dentist about orthodontic options such as ceramic braces,  which produce the same results as traditional braces, but are much less visible. They are just as effective as normal braces, but be aware that they tend to cost a bit more.

If appearance is the reason you want to know how to straighten teeth without braces, lingual braces are one of the best options. They are the same as traditional braces, but they are applied on the underside of your teeth, making them completely invisible. The drawback is that lingual braces can feel awkward since your tongue is constantly making contact with them.

Retainers and Aligners

The word retainer sometimes refers to a device that keeps your teeth in place after straightening, but you can also get a retainer for teeth straightening. Older retainers are wire structures that can be put into your mouth to help straighten your teeth. They can be adjusted as needed, and you can take them out when you eat. The problem is that they often cause discomfort, and bacteria can easily grow on them. It’s also common for people to skip wearing their retainer for teeth straightening, since it’s uncomfortable and takes discipline.

Aligners normally refer to clear plastic devices that help straighten your teeth. One of the most popular is Invisalign is a clear plastic mold of your teeth that eventually straightens your teeth or corrects overlapping teeth. Every few weeks or so, you get a new Invisalign aligner based on a new mold of your teeth. Some people simply use Invisalign for overlapping front teeth. This product has a lot of benefits, since it’s basically invisible and can be removed for meals and teeth brushing.

How to Choose

Teeth straightening is a growing industry, and you may feel overwhelmed about choosing the best option for you. If you have a good dental team, such as Albany County Dental Associates, talk to them for honest information and consultation. It really depends on what you’re looking for as well as what type of insurance you have and how much your budget can bear.

Traditional braces are usually the least expensive, while Invisalign is often more expensive. Your goals and preferences are important. That’s another reason to stick with your family dentistry practice; they know your history and your goals.

Other Considerations

It also depends what problem you’re trying to fix. For example, overlapping teeth is a more specific issue than crooked teeth. Invisalign for overlapping front teeth might be a very good option, but Invisalign might not be as good if you have problems that are better fixed by traditional braces.

Consider the costs as well. Your Albany Dental orthodontist is committed to providing you and your family with affordable dentistry options. You may have other oral needs that need to be addressed before you can wear braces for a successful result. These treatments increase your overall costs and factor into your final decision. For example, you may need:

Whether your adolescent is ready for teeth straightening or you want to join the growing number of adults who choose teeth straightening, check with Albany County Dental Associates. You can get traditional braces or you can learn how to straighten teeth without braces. With the help of your dentist, you can find a suitable solution for everyone.