How to Straighten Teeth Without Braces

Did you know that 46% of all adults aged over 30 show signs of gum disease and 26% of adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay? Oral health is a key factor in overall health so taking care of these issues is important.

Straight teeth are healthier teeth that can prevent the above oral health problems and more. Nowadays, there are more innovative ways to straighten teeth than getting braces.

Keep reading to learn how to straighten teeth without braces.

Invisalign

You can remove Invisalign when you are eating, drinking, or brushing or flossing your teeth. You’ll wear a retainer for about two weeks before swapping it with a new one that fits your bite.

After 12-24 months, your teeth will be gently straightened without the look of braces. This method is popular for adults who don’t want to get braces but want straight teeth.

Dental Crowns

A professional can straighten minor misaligned teeth with dental crowns. Instead of moving the teeth as braces do, minor alignments can be corrected by capping a tooth with a straight crown.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are another option for fixing crooked teeth without braces. Veneers are ultra-thin porcelain pieces that work as false teeth.

Not only do dental veneers change the shape of teeth, but the color of your teeth can also be changed as well. This is a great option for those who want to avoid the look of yellowing teeth.

Dental Bonding

Another answer to how to fix misaligned teeth is through dental bonding. However, this method works to straighten minor corrections.

In one visit, you’ll go through the process of sculpting a new tooth shape with a special moldable material. The mold can match the original color of your teeth.

Surgical Procedure

There are some cases where an oral surgeon can complete a surgical procedure to change the way your teeth are aligned. If teeth positioning causes significant difficulties, a dentist will recommend an involved procedure instead of braces.

Orthognathic surgery can move the position of your jaw to correct minor and major oral issues. The recovery process is around two to three weeks but swelling might persist even longer.

Minor and invasive forms of oral surgery can be expensive. If you need oral surgery Boise to correct a medical oral issue, your insurance might cover it.

Are Braces a Better Option?

Not everyone is a candidate for the above options so braces might be the best method of teeth straightening. You could be a candidate for braces if you deal with the following issues:

Misaligned or crowded teeth
Shifting or clicking jaws
Difficulty biting down or chewing
Difficulty speaking certain words
Mouth breathing

The best time to get braces is between the ages of 9 and 14 However, no one is ever too old to get braces.

How to Straighten Teeth for the Perfect Smile

For a lot of individuals, braces seem to be the safest and most effective way to have a permanent straight smile. Yet, orthodontic treatments have advanced beyond braces.

There are new answers to how to straighten teeth that don’t involve the use of braces. Talk to your orthodontist to figure out the best method for straightening your teeth.

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