Are you wondering how to straighten your teeth? Teeth straightening is the process of meticulously shifting the position of the teeth and properly aligning them according to your correct bite. Force and pressure are applied over a period of time to treat teeth misalignments and bite issues.
At My Local Dentists, the two main options to straighten teeth are fixed braces and clear aligners. But before looking more closely into these orthodontic treatments, let’s look at the advantages of straight teeth.
What are the benefits of straight teeth?
With teeth straightening treatments, issues such as underbites, overbites, crooked or spaced teeth, teeth crowding, deep bites, and open bites, among many others, are fixed. With your teeth straightened, here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
- Better oral and general health
- Improved appearance and increased self-esteem
- Healthier bite and jaw joints
- Enhanced quality of life
But before you can experience all of these, you need to look at the options to help decide which is most suitable.
How to straighten teeth? Your options
To get your teeth straightened, you must consult with an orthodontist or a general dentist experienced in orthodontics. They know the best ways to align the teeth, as it always differs with every patient. The main options you have to straighten the teeth are through orthodontic treatments such as fixed braces and Invisalign.
Teeth straightening with braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common way to straighten the teeth. They treat all teeth alignment and bite issues, from the simplest to the most complex. With metal brackets and wires attached to the teeth, your dentist can control the forces applied to each tooth to move the teeth in the desired position.
How to straighten the teeth with Invisalign?
Advances in dentistry paved the way for the invention of clear aligners. Patients love this treatment for many reasons, but mainly because of its discretion and convenience.
Invisalign is for mild to moderate misalignments and involves wearing a series of clear aligners to move the teeth into position. At the start of your Invisalign journey, our dentist will scan your teeth and inspect the severity of the case. From there, they will determine how many clear aligners are needed to complete your treatment. You can even preview your smile before starting treatment enabling the dentist to make any real-time adjustments. This is a feature that is not available for traditional braces.
Each clear aligner fits snugly over the teeth like a mouthguard. As the teeth shift, they move into the precision-formed aligner, causing it to feel more comfortable. The clear aligners are replaced with the next in the series every two weeks to continue the process. When the last aligner has been worn, the teeth should be in their desired positions. Dental visits are scheduled every six to eight weeks to monitor your progress and ensure everything is going according to plan.
What is the best way to straighten the teeth?
Ultimately, the best teeth straightening method is different for everyone, so you need to visit your dentist for advice.
More complex cases such as twisted teeth and severe misalignments can’t be treated with Invisalign, and the only alternative may be fixed braces.
At My Local Dentists, we are backed by dentists who are experienced in both traditional braces and clear aligners, so we can provide you with a treatment plan that will safely and efficiently work for you!
Want to have straighter teeth?
If you are one of the 62% of Australians considering orthodontic treatment to get a more attractive straight smile, we are here for you! We are a multi-location clinic that will help you achieve your smile goals. Call today to schedule your visit.
References
Orthodontic treatment
https://www.dentalhealth.org/orthodontic-treatment#:~:text=Orthodontic%20treatment%20is%20a%20way,pressure%20over%20all%20your%20teeth.
Orthodontics Australia – What are the options when it comes to braces for adults?
https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/braces-options-for-adults/
Medical News Today – What to know about metal braces
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/metal-braces-uses-costs-benefits-and-more-2
Orthodontics Australia – Aussies want to improve their teeth: survey
https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/aussies-want-improve-teeth/