Do you often feel dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth? These days many adults do, due to a variety of cosmetical or dental reasons. In some cases, the teeth may not have grown properly in childhood leaving them misaligned; there could be an overbite or underbite or perhaps the problem is overcrowding or gaps between the teeth.
It is true that in the past, if your teeth were less than perfect, you either had to just put up with it or wear dentures but nowadays orthodontists have a whole range of new techniques and resources available with which they can correct any deficiencies and restore your smile.
Invisible Braces
One of the most innovative and effective methods of restoring the appearance of misaligned teeth is the Invisalign invisible braces system. This treatment has been proven many times over to effectively and precisely correct and straighten teeth, whether the problem is fairly mild or more severe. They are painless to apply and wear, removable for cleaning and are tailored exactly to the shape of your mouth for maximum comfort. The fact that they are virtually invisible means they are an increasingly popular choice for adults.
Metal Braces
The traditional way of moving teeth within the mouth to correct a problem involves fitting metal braces. These can be silver or gold coloured or even tooth coloured to appear more natural. These are usually fitted to the outside of the teeth. Traditional style braces like these are still frequently used, especially for children, but adults increasingly prefer the more inconspicuous appearance of invisible braces.
Other Braces
Your orthodontist can offer a range of different types of braces to suit your particular situation and these include clear ceramic braces which fit to the front of the teeth, fixed lingual braces which fit to the back of your teeth or removable braces. Removable braces are often made of wire or plastic.
Aligners
For those who are reluctant to consider braces there are good, effective alternatives when it comes to straightening teeth and these include aligners. These are essentially clear, flexible devices which work to steadily move the teeth closer together, or straighter, and are often perfect for milder cases but not where there is a severe misalignment.
Tooth Extraction
In some cases, particularly where there is overcrowding of the teeth or severe misalignment of the bite, extraction of a tooth or multiple teeth may be necessary as part of a treatment and correction package. Your orthodontist will advise you on whether this option is necessary for you but be reassured that no orthodontist wants to remove teeth unless absolutely necessary, and this decision will only be made following a complete assessment and examination. You can also rest assured that following any extractions you won’t be left with unsightly gaps as spaces are gradually closed up during your treatment.
What are you waiting for?
Whatever your reasons for being unhappy with your smile, orthodontic treatment is available for you. There could be medical or health reasons why you need to seek corrective treatment perhaps to allow you to eat properly or to reduce pain and discomfort. Or maybe you are tired of having ‘wonky’ teeth and you wish to look better.
When your smile looks good your confidence increases and this can have a positive benefit for your work and social life and when your teeth are correctly aligned, they are easier to clean therefore the risk of decay and gum disease is greatly reduced.
With the new techniques available today including invisible braces you can achieve the perfect smile you always wanted.
