Most people try to take care of crooked teeth during their teenage years when the teeth and jaw are still developing.
Many adults, however, find themselves in need of braces to straighten their teeth, whether from your teeth readjusting themselves or not having access to a good orthodontist earlier in life.
However, most adults don’t want to deal with the unsightly look of braces for longer periods of time.
Here are a few alternatives to consider that will help you fix your teeth and maintain your confidence.
Advertisement
Modified Braces
Metal braces have come a long way from where they started. Now used with a self-ligating system, they are lighter and have a less bulky appearance. The wires incorporated in the braces apply a constant force to the teeth, making the straightening process more comfortable and shorter.
Self-ligating braces are also much less noticeable because they don’t utilize rubber bands and the ceramic that is often used is clear. If you have ceramic braces, make sure you clean your mouth completely and immediately after consuming foods that may stain the brackets, such as coffee or red wine.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are otherwise known as invisible braces. In reality, they are the traditional bracket and wire style of basic braces. However, the braces run along the back of the teeth instead of the front.
For individuals with minor orthodontic issues, lingual braces do not have to span the entire row of teeth. Instead, a minimized version may be applied to what dentists refer to as the social six teeth: the six teeth on the top and bottom gum that present when smiling.
Plastic Aligners
Plastic aligners straighten teeth without the use of metal or ceramic brackets. This reduces the chance of injury to the mouth that is common with traditional forms of braces. To get a proper fit, you create an impression of your teeth from which the aligners are made.
Depending on the level of alignment needed, 18 to 30 aligners are produced. The patient switches the aligners approximately every two weeks, and typical treatments take approximately a year. Aligners may be taken out to brush and floss regularly, as well as when eating.
You don’t have to worry about wearing flashy colors in your mouth to get that perfect smile. There are enough options out there that people don’t even need to know that you are working on correcting your smile.
References:
Can Adult Aligners Fix Your Teeth?
Comments are closed.