A misaligned jaw or crooked teeth can only be straightened by treatment with dental braces or orthodontics. By today’s standards patients have plenty of options to choose from, depending on the stage of life they’re in, their long term dental needs and their budget considerations. Let’s take a look at how to straighten teeth, and the orthodontic options available.
The Importance Of Teeth Straightening
Patients who have crooked teeth may feel shy about displaying their smile, but having orthodontic treatment goes a step beyond aesthetics and addresses the health reasons for teeth straightening.
Straight teeth are easier to keep clean and free of plaque and are less susceptible to dental decay. When teeth are crooked, the irregular spaces tend to be small and difficult to reach with a toothbrush or dental floss. Traditional metal braces and clear aligners are the two most popular choices for patients who wear orthodontics.
How To Straighten Teeth With Dental Braces?
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are an effective way to straighten crooked teeth and address bite issues with the jaw. They can address mild to severe correction issues and while they may not be the most cosmetically pleasing option, they are cost-effective and get the job done.
Modern metal braces are smaller and less noticeable than ever before. Improvements have also been made to make them more comfortable to wear.
Wearers of metal braces need to attend regular dental checkups and have their braces adjusted on a regular basis, to ensure that they keep the teeth under sufficient pressure to shift them into position.
Patients find metal braces to be uncomfortable, particularly when they have been adjusted but it’s important to remember that your treatment plan is for a fixed period of time and when the braces are taken off, you will have a beautifully straight smile.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners have revolutionised orthodontic treatments for the discreet manner in which they can address mild to moderate correction issues. They are fitted over the teeth like a mouthguard and while they are not completely invisible, they are hardly noticeable to the people around you.
They have proven to be very popular with older teenagers and adult patients who may have delayed orthodontic treatment either because their correction issue wasn’t severe enough or because they didn’t want to wear metal braces.
If you do opt for clear aligners you won’t have to have them adjusted, because your treatment plan requires you to change to a new set of aligners every two weeks. Instead of having adjustments made like you would if you wore braces, you would start wearing the next set in your treatment program.
It’s important to note that clear aligners need to be removed for eating and drinking as it is possible to stain the plastic if you don’t. At the same time, you can only remove them for eating and drinking, as they need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day to meet your treatment plan goals.
To find out more about how to straighten teeth and what your options are, please contact us for an appointment: (03) 5749 1208.
