Cosmetic Dental Options For Misaligned Teeth
Posted on: 23 May 2018
Dental misalignments occur for various reasons, such as a traumatic blow to the mouth, natural tooth placement, or thumb-sucking. Once the teeth become misaligned, many people are uncomfortable with the appearance of the crooked teeth.
If your teeth are crooked, there are many different cosmetic dental options that are available to make them appear straighter. Here are a few of them.
Dental Veneers
An application of dental veneers is an appropriate solution for teeth that are moderately misaligned. The veneers do not actually alter the positioning of the teeth. Instead, they cover it.
A veneer is bonded to the front of a tooth to cover its imperfections. To correct a dental misalignment, multiple veneers are used to cover the teeth that are visible when a person smiles.
The placement of the veneers is considered permanent, so the straighter appearance of the teeth should remain in place indefinitely. If a veneer becomes damaged, it can be replaced without detracting from the original cosmetic improvement.
Traditional Braces
For many years, traditional braces have been used to correct misaligned teeth. The braces reposition the teeth as pressure is transferred from the archwire to the brackets and then to the teeth.
Traditional braces can straighten the teeth, regardless of the level of crookedness. However, more severe dental misalignments may require a longer treatment process.
Although traditional braces frequently include metal brackets, ceramic brackets are available for people who prefer a more discreet alignment process. The ceramic can be tooth-colored or clear to blend with the natural color of the teeth.
Plastic Aligners
Aligners that are made of clear plastic can also be used to straighten the teeth. Designed from digital images of your mouth, the aligners fit over the teeth like mouthguards or retainers.
When clear plastic aligners are chosen to straighten the teeth, a number of aligner sets are used during the treatment process. The sets are used in a specific order to straighten the teeth gradually. Each set is worn for a couple of weeks and is then replaced by the next ordered set in the treatment plan.
Plastic aligners are most appropriate for minor and moderate misalignments. The treatment process is generally shorter than many other forms of orthodontic correction.
Additionally, when suitable, clear plastic aligners are sometimes preferred over other treatment options because they can be removed and placed back in the mouth. The removability makes cleaning the teeth and eating less cumbersome.
If your teeth are misaligned, schedule an appointment with a dental office like The Smile Architects.
Share