26

Oct

Most people with crooked teeth feel they could have a much more beautiful smile with straighter teeth. Thankfully, advances in dentistry have made it possible for those without naturally straight teeth to reorganize their teeth for a straighter smile. You can choose from various teeth straightening options depending on your preferences. Braces are the most common, but you can explore other options, such as teeth straightening surgery. This blog will cover additional teeth straightening options for a beautiful smile.

  1. Braces

Dental braces are the most common teeth straightening option. They are used to straighten teeth and position them properly in relation to your bite. Dentists use braces when the patient has an overbite, malocclusion, overbite, open bite, crossbite, and crooked teeth. They can be combined with other dental devices to shape the jaw and teeth.

Dental braces work by applying force on the teeth and gums, thus moving teeth into the desired position. When braces are applied, they loosen your teeth allowing new bone growth around the tooth as it shifts into the desired position.

Although dental braces are the most common teeth straightening method, they are not for everyone. For instance, if you have gum disease, you may want to work with a periodontist before considering braces.

Braces increase the risk of gum disease since plaque is more likely to accumulate on your teeth. This accumulation of plaque combined with poor dental hygiene increases the chances of additional dental problems.

They also introduce food restrictions. For instance, eating sticky foods or snacks can cause the wires in your braces to snap.

You should, however, consider braces if:

  • You have bite problems
  • You generally have healthy teeth, gums, and oral tissues
  • You have crooked teeth
  • You have overcrowded teeth, or they have large spaces between them
  • You have a gummy smile

There are different types of braces used both for cosmetic and functional purposes. They include:

Traditional/ Metal Wired Braces

Traditional metal braces have been in use for more than 100 years. They have evolved significantly to become more comfortable and effective. Metal braces are most commonly used amongst children and adolescents primarily because they are not removable and thus require minimum patient compliance.

Metal braces need to be adjusted every four to eight weeks as the dentist checks the progress of correcting your dental problem.

Despite their effectiveness and versatility, metal braces are difficult to clean and floss. Therefore, they need to be used in patients with good oral hygiene. They are also not as aesthetic, despite having a range of colors to choose from.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces stand out for their complete invisibility. They are similar to regular braces, except they are placed behind the teeth.

This makes them ideal for eligible adults who don’t wish to have visible braces. They are not ideal for all patients, especially those with deeper overbites. In addition, not all dentists are skilled at applying them. Therefore, if this is what you are considering, ask your orthodontist whether they are skilled at applying them early in the consultation process.

Lingual braces are considerably costlier than traditional braces as they take more time to apply and require more skill and precision.

Most patients also develop speech problems such as lisping. This may go away over time as your tongue gets used to their presence, or you could consult a speech therapist.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are the best choice for those who want the functionality of traditional braces with a bit of discretion. They are also considerably affordable.

Ceramic braces are made from clear tooth-colored material, meaning they blend in with your teeth. However, they are prone to discoloration, and their brackets are significantly larger than those of mental braces.

Self-ligating braces

Braces rely on the archwire remaining attached to the brackets at all times. Traditional braces achieve consistent attachment by using elastic bands or metal ties.

On the other hand, self-ligating braces have a built-in system that allows them to remain secure throughout the treatment period. Self-ligating braces can have one of these closing mechanisms:

  • Passive brackets: these use a simple sliding mechanism.
  • Active brackets have a sliding spring mechanism that works by continuously applying pressure on the archwire, thus keeping it intact.

Like traditional braces, self-ligating braces need regular readjustment. You are also likely to experience pain and discomfort, particularly after the first installment and after each readjustment.

The advantage of self-ligating braces is that they take a shorter time during installation and readjustment than traditional braces. They are also easier to clean, thanks to the absence of ligatures. They are also relatively more comfortable compared to traditional braces.

  1. Dental Aligners

Dental aligners or invisible aligners are removable and clear dental tools used for straightening teeth. They are a great alternative to braces, especially for people who do not want visible teeth straightening options.

They are made from clear, BPA-free plastic. The aligner trays are customized to each patient and should be changed every two to three weeks until you achieve the desired results.

Dentists can offer one of two types of dental aligners:

  • In-office aligners require you to visit the dentist throughout the treatment period. The need for more dentist visits makes them a more expensive option.
  • At-home aligners provide patients with a home impression kit, reducing the need for numerous dentist visits throughout the treatment period. Most dentists that provide at-home alignment kits monitor their patients remotely, making it convenient for them and their dentists.

Dental aligners can be used for different teeth alignment problems, including:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Overbite
  • Underbites
  • Open bites
  • Diastema
  • Misaligned baby teeth (for children aged 6-10 years)

 Different brands of aligners provide different outcomes for patients. The most popular brand of dental aligners is Invisalign.

Invisalign was developed in the 1990s. It is made of SmartTrack material that allows Invisalign to provide a more accurate, faster, and more comfortable treatment experience for children, adolescents, and adults looking to straighten their teeth.

Those who receive Invisalign treatment must visit their orthodontist every six to eight weeks to track their progress and receive new aligners.

Another popular brand of dental aligners is byte® which is designed as an at-home aligner solution that claims to produce results within four to six months. The patient must keep their aligners on for at least 22 hours daily. If you go with these home aligners, you can choose to wear all-day aligners (for 22+ hours) or at-night aligners (10+ hours every day).

  1. Teeth Straightening Surgery

Surgery may be the best tooth straightening option for people with jaw misalignment, overbite, and underbite. Depending on your problem, you may have to undergo one of the following types of jaw surgery:

  • Maxillary osteotomy
  • Mandibular osteotomy
  • Bilateral osteotomy

Maxillary Osteotomy

Maxillary osteotomy or upper jaw surgery is ideal for patients who want to correct their bite. Your dentist will recommend this option where your bite cannot be corrected through orthodontic solutions like braces. Common problems that maxillary osteotomy can fix include:

  • Receded or protruding upper jaw
  • Crossbite
  • Open bite
  • Too much or too little of teeth are visible
  • Midfacial hypoplasia

The surgery is done under anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision inside your mouth to not leave scars on your face. The dentist cuts through the gum behind the posterior teeth to access the jawbone. The dentist then cuts through the jaw with a small saw to allow controlled separation of the jaw. Finally, the dentist moves the jaw into the desired position and holds it in place with small metal plates and screws before stitching the upper jaw with dissolvable stitches.

In the days following the surgery, you are likely to experience symptoms such as:

  • Swollen face
  • Still jaws
  • A feeling of tightness in the face
  • Bruising
  • Sore throat
  • Minimal bleeding

During recovery, eat mostly liquid foods as they are easier to swallow. You can build up with soft foods after the first few weeks, but you should generally avoid harder foods for several weeks to give your jaw time to heal.

Your dentist will also provide you with painkillers to deal with post-operative pain. You'll also get a prescription for antibiotics to prevent infection at the surgical site.

Mandibular Osteotomy

Your orthodontist will recommend a mandibular osteotomy if you have a receding or protruding lower jaw. The surgery is performed on the lower jaw with the incisions made behind the molars and along the jaw bone so that the surgeon can move your jaw as one unit. The surgeon then moves the jaw forward or backward into the desired position.

Bilateral Osteotomy

Bilateral osteotomy or double-jaw surgery is performed on the upper and lower jaws simultaneously. It is necessary for people who wish to:

  • Correct jaw misalignment issues such as deep overbites, underbite, open bite, asymmetrical jaws, and overlapping jaws
  • Correct jaw size (where either jaw is under or over-developed)
  • Correct a gummy smile
  • Increase their chin size

In addition to helping improve your smile, a double-jaw surgery can have additional benefits, such as relieving facial pain and improving obstructive sleep apnea.

After teeth straightening surgery, you still need to take care of your dental hygiene. You can do this by:

  • Brushing with a small-soft brush two to three times every day
  • Using mouth rinse
  • Rinse your mouth with warm salty water for five minutes, about five times a day for the first five days after surgery

Sometimes, the dentist will require you to wear braces before and after jaw surgery to help your teeth move into the desired positions. If you need pre-operative braces, you will wear them for about 18 months, then wear them for another 6-9 months after jaw surgery.

  1. Retainers

After treatment with any teeth straightening option, your teeth will attempt to move back into their previous positions. A retainer is an appliance used to keep your teeth in the desired position until your teeth’s new position becomes permanent. The process takes about four to six months.

During this time, you must keep the retainer you were given as the dentist instructs. Your dentist may recommend one of these types of retainers:

    • Removable retainers

Removable retainers are thin and clear dental appliances custom-made to fit your teeth. They are made from impressions of your teeth after you take out your braces. They are fitted the same day you take out your braces to minimize movement of your teeth.

You should wear them as often as possible and replace your retainer once lost. When wearing a removable retainer, you must be committed to keeping your teeth straight. Most people neglect to wear their retainer, resulting in a relapse (teeth move back into their original positions).

    • Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers or wire retainers consist of a thin metal wire and plastic or acrylic shaped to fit the roof of your mouth. The retainers also have an additional wire that goes in the front of your teeth. They are primarily used on the upper jaw to keep teeth from moving back into their original positions.

Hawley retainers can be adjusted for a better fit and can last a long time with proper care. It's also possible for your upper and lower teeth to touch naturally, unlike when wearing removable retainers.

    • Permanent/fixed/bonded retainers

Once installed, permanent retainers remain in your teeth until your orthodontist takes them out. They can last up to 20 years with proper care, making them an ideal solution for those who want to retain their smile without the hassle of remembering to wear a retainer.

A permanent retainer is made up of a metal wire bonded to the back of your teeth on the front teeth of the upper and lower jaw. In most cases, permanent retainers are placed on the lower jaw since those on the upper jaw are prone to breakages.

While permanent retainers have advantages, they are harder to clean and can trap food particles, increasing the risk of additional hygiene-related dental problems.

You must wear your retainer full-time for the first three to six months. You also have to wear retainers at night for the rest of your life. In the first month after treatment, your teeth will attempt to move back to the previous positions as the tissue hasn't grown back fully in these areas. Your teeth are also in constant movement throughout your life. Therefore, the nightly routine of wearing retainers will help them retain their position as you age.

In addition to wearing your retainers, you must care for them too. Some of the ways to care for your teeth include:

  • Gently brush around your retainers from different angles. Your retainers may break if you brush them too hard.
  • Use a floss threader to floss in the spaces between your retainers. Do not skip a space, no matter how small it looks.
  • Use a water flosser to floss in between your teeth and hard-to-reach areas on the retainer.
  • If you are wearing a removable retainer, brush it with a soft brush and soap to clean it.
  • Avoid hard foods that may stick on or break your retainer (especially when wearing a permanent retainer)
  • Have more dental cleanings to ensure you keep your overall dental health in check
  • Keep your removable retainer away from heat to ensure it retains its shape
  • Visit your dentist for a replacement if your retainer is lost or damaged

What is the Best Teeth Straightening Option for Me?

You can choose between braces, dental aligners, and surgery if you want to straighten your teeth. While each option is effective, you may prefer one over the other. Your dentist may also help you choose the best option for you. Here are some pointers to help you:

  1. Cost

Different teeth straightening options come at different costs. Traditional braces are the cheapest option, therefore, the first option for anyone on a budget.

The cost is also influenced by the additional dental treatment you may need before teeth straightening. For instance, if you have a missing tooth, your dentist will consider implants or other teeth replacement options before beginning teeth straightening.

  1. Aesthetics

Traditional braces are often unattractive compared to Invisalign. Aesthetics are if you want to avoid the stigma that comes with wearing braces, especially if you are in a professional setting. For this reason, most working professionals often choose dental aligners or ceramic braces to be discreet about their teeth straightening treatment.

  1. The Cause of Teeth Misalignment

The underlying cause of teeth misalignment significantly influences the choice of the best teeth straightening option. For example, if you have asymmetrical jaws, wearing braces or Invisalign might not help much since you will still have an asymmetrical jaw that affects your smile. I

In this case, you may choose surgery to correct the jaw and, ultimately, your smile.

Find a Whittier Dentist Near Me

A beautiful smile can make a significant difference in how you view yourself. If you are concerned about your teeth or smile, then it’s time to explore the best possible teeth straightening option. The Whittier Dentist will assess your teeth, determine the underlying issues and recommend solutions that would be ideal for you. Book your consultation at 562-632-1223 to get started on your way to a beautiful smile.