Ways to Straighten Teeth
Bulky metal braces and headgear are no longer the only options for straightening teeth. Because there are many types of malocclusion, there are many treatment options. Various levels of misalignment require different approaches, so treatments can be extensive or quick and simple.
Keep reading to discover if an alternative option is right for you or if a traditional method is your fast track to a straight smile.
Extraction
For some, teeth can grow in overcrowded. Teeth can be too large or too numerous for the mouth they inhabit. Simply extracting a tooth or two can free space for teeth to develop properly.
The tooth removal procedure is straightforward. First, a dentist numbs the mouth, particularly on and around the extraction site. Then he removes the extra tooth. Patients do not feel any discomfort under local anesthesia. If the patient has severe anxiety about the procedure or is a small child, the dentist may allow general anesthesia to be used instead.
Teeth can shift into the open space naturally or move over time with the assistance of braces or retainers.
Expansion
If the palate is too small, teeth become overcrowded and crooked.
This space can be expanded by installing a device that gradually pushes teeth apart over time. As the roots shift, the bone grows around them and creates a larger space for teeth to inhabit.
This option takes place slowly over time. It may be the only treatment necessary or part of a series of treatments intended to give you the smile of your dreams.
Retainers
There are many types of retainers, with Hawley retainers being the most common. They are a metal bar affixed to a plastic piece. The plastic piece fits perfectly against the gums and roof of the mouth, and the metal bar is contoured and shaped to move the teeth gradually.
Clear plastic retainers, like Invisalign and other products, are the discreet alternative to Hawley retainers. They are created from a mold of the teeth and push the teeth in straighter directions.
Both clear and metal retainers must be worn at least 22 hours a day to achieve results. Retainers offer the advantage of removability. This allows patients to continue eating the foods they love, and to continue brushing and flossing with ease.
Veneers
In mild to moderate cases, veneers cover imperfections and offers a uniform set of teeth.
Skilled dentists know how to design and apply these porcelain shells with the utmost care and attention to detail. Veneers are expected to last about ten years, but with recent advancements in dental porcelain, they could last even longer.
Metal Braces
In some cases, metal braces are still the best option. They can fix severe malocclusion and permanently straighten teeth. When teeth erupt out of alignment, braces can straighten correct teeth that have emerged too high or not at all. If used in conjunction with palate expanders and followed by regular retainer use, metal braces offer a lifetime of straight teeth.
For more information, call our friendly staff at the Knoxville Dental Center in Powell, Tennessee. We look forward to hearing from you!