Consider one of the following options if you have crooked teeth.
Braces : Braces work by putting pressure on your teeth to shift them into a more attractive position. Often, braces come in the form of metal, plastic or ceramic brackets glued to the front of the teeth. These brackets hold a tightening wire in place. The wire is in the shape your orthodontist wants to see your teeth. Once threaded through the brackets, this wire tries to shift your teeth into shape. These wires are tightened once a month for a period of up to two and a half years, depending on the severity of your condition. Of these three types of braces, ceramic brackets are the least noticeable, as their translucent colour allows them to blend in with the natural teeth colour.
Lingual Orthodontics : Lingual braces are a similar, even less visible option, the brackets are glued to the lingual or tongue side of your teeth. Once the braces come off, you will have to wear a retainer for a few months to keep your teeth from shifting. This advanced method makes lingual orthodontics particularly well-suited for adults, who often want to improve the look and function of their teeth without letting anyone else know about their treatment.
Invisalign : A newer option is Invisalign, a series of plastic, transparent, removable aligners that squeeze the teeth tightly into place. Like braces, Invisalign shifts your teeth into a straighter position. The most obvious advantage of the treatment is cosmetic. The aligners are completely transparent, therefore far more difficult to detect than traditional wire and bracket braces. The invisalign system also improves hygiene over traditional braces. Because the clear retainers are removable, patients can brush and floss as they normally would, reducing the chances of possible staining and decay that often occur with traditional braces. But, all good things come with a disadvantage. The disadvantages of invisalign include the high cost of the aligners and the difficulty in treating more complex cases.
Accelerated Orthodontics : If you want fast results and can stand a little pain, ask your dentist about accelerated orthodontics. A team of dental specialists will perform a combination of orthodontic and periodontic work to get you the smile you want fast. The process takes about six months, a quarter of the time it takes for traditional orthodontics. Most often, this form of orthodontics requires you to wear lingual braces. Note that some dental insurance policies will not cover the cost of this procedure.
