Crooked teeth, while common, can make some conscious of their smiles. Straightening crooked teeth is a choice most tend to make, knowing that their smiles could be enhanced for the better. While braces are a sure way to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth, they can be very noticeable, more so for adults who need to socialise for work. In fact, the metal braces can make some of them even more conscious than crooked teeth ever did.
But is there a way to straighten out crooked teeth without braces?
The short answer – yes, there is.
To make dental treatments more convenient, there are now numerous ways to make certain treatments simpler with equally effective outcomes.
Some of the popular ways that your dentist might offer to straighten your teeth instead of opting for a dental braces procedure include:
Ideally, retainers are provided by the dentists after a fixed braces treatment in order to maintain the corrected position of the teeth. However, for those with very little correction required, retainers work just fine as a solution. With retainers being invisible, they are not easily noticeable and can help straighten your teeth within a shorter time compared to fixed braces, and at a more affordable cost.
Another alternative to braces is Invisalign – clear aligners that can be removed when needed. Compared to retainers, aligners work much better and can also straighten teeth that need more than some minor correction. These are thin mouthguards that are customised for each individual.
For those who also need their gaps filled and teeth shaped right, dental veneers work like a charm. These are bonded to your teeth to hide chips, misshapen teeth, and ensure that your teeth are aligned right.
If the visibility of the metal braces is your main concern, dentists provide ceramic braces that are made to appear like the colour of your natural teeth. While they are less visible, they work just like metal braces to ensure that your teeth are straightened to their desired position.
Additionally, dentists also provide invisible braces by fixing dental braces to the back of the teeth, rather than the front, ensuring that the braces stay out of sight. For those avoiding braces due to how visible they are, this could certainly be an option. However, it is essential to note that lingual braces are priced much higher than traditional fixed braces.
Depending on your budget, you can check with your dentist to find out the procedures that could help straighten your teeth without the use of braces. Keeping oral health in mind, your dentist will be sure to lay out the many available options for you to choose from.
