How to Straighten Crooked Teeth

How to Straighten Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are not only unsightly for others, they can be physically and aesthetically damaging for the person inflicted by them. Poor dental health can lead to overall health issues like gum disease, headaches, and even heart problems. Localized issues can include weak teeth, TMJ, difficulty chewing, bad breath, and issues keeping them clean.
The psychological impacts might be the worst part. Self-esteem and self-image can be drastically affected by bad teeth. This can make social interaction embarrassing and stressful. Additional stress is always an overall health concern, not just mental health:

1. Clear aligners
Clear aligners for teeth can help correct several types of tooth crookedness. They are removable and are designed for convenience and flexibility. Being clear and difficult to see is an attractive feature for many people. One downside to clear aligners is cost. They also need to be worn a minimum of 22 hours a day. The changing of clear aligners can cause mouth pain. A Popular option for clear aligners is:

  • Smile Direct: Convenience is the biggest perk for this type of teeth straightening. After the initial 3D modeling, follow-up appointments are very minimal. Kits are sent to your home and treatment can last as little as six months. Smile Direct does not deal with major tooth alignment issues. Regular orthodontist care can make this process easy and affordable. The aligners are clear, but they are not secured well and can move around in your mouth.

2. Lingual braces
Lingual braces are very similar to metal braces, but they are secured on the back of the teeth. This makes them more difficult to see. They also come with the discomfort associated with metal braces. These braces are one of the more expensive options, but can correct most crooked tooth issues.

3. Traditional metal braces
Traditional metal braces are typically the most cost effective way to straighten teeth. Kids often love the multicolored rubber bands used with metal braces. The biggest negative of metal braces is that they are more noticeable to others. If you are already self-conscious about your teeth, you will likely feel the same about metal braces.

4. Dental surgery
Dental implant surgeries offer an option that looks and feels like real teeth. This is a great option for missing teeth. They are very durable and bone loss is much less likely. Dental implants are a long term solution. They are another more expensive option since it is a long process that includes the surgery to secure the implants.

5. Clear braces
Clear options are less noticeable than the metal variety. They fit and are attached to your teeth the way traditional braces would, only they are clear. You basically have the benefits of the effectiveness of traditional braces and the look of clear ones. They can also be more affordable than other clear options. The brackets on clear braces are typically larger than regular braces. This makes them harder to keep clean.

6. Retainers
Retainers can be permanent or removable, so you have some options. They are clear plastic and fit snugly in your mouth. The removable variety needs to be taken out when eating or playing sports. This makes them easy to lose and creates issues with hygiene. A retainer can sometimes affect speech and how the patient’s voice sounds.