Most of us would love a straight, white smile, but we sometimes need a little help to attain it. Discover how to straighten teeth effectively and transform your crooked teeth for the smile you’ve always wanted.
Orthodontic treatment is the most effective way of straightening teeth that are crooked or misaligned. Orthodontics is a particular branch of dentistry that involves using dental braces and aligners to move the teeth into their correct positions.
These devices work by applying gentle pressure to the teeth, stretching the tooth ligaments that hold the teeth in place, and slowly moving them. The teeth loosen slightly as they move, allowing new bone to grow around them and support them in their new positions.
Removing teeth
Some people need to have their teeth straightened because their mouth is overcrowded. In these circumstances, the dentist may need to extract a few teeth to make room for the teeth to move into their desired positions.
What are the benefits of straighter teeth?
More than ever, it is important for us to have an attractive smile. It can help in many ways, such as making a good first impression and improving your self-confidence. Straight teeth also benefit your oral health as crooked teeth are more difficult to keep free from plaque and tartar, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Misaligned teeth may also contribute to excess wear on the teeth and jaw muscles, causing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, headaches and damaged teeth.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and take a closer look at the various dental braces available from orthodontists and dentists.
How to straighten teeth – the options
Metal braces
These traditional dental braces utilise metal brackets fixed to the front of all the teeth. A wire is threaded through the brackets and held in place with rubber bands to apply pressure to the teeth. The wire is tightened regularly by the dentist – typically every 4-6 weeks – until the teeth have reached their final positions. The treatment typically takes up to a couple of years to complete.
Damon system
Damon braces may appear similar to traditional braces, but the brackets are smaller than those used with conventional braces.
Also, the wire on Damon braces is held in place by the brackets themselves, dispensing with the need for the rubber bands.
Therefore, reducing friction and discomfort. Treatment with Damon braces is said to be quicker than with traditional braces by up to 6 months.
Invisalign
Invisalign clear aligners are one of the more popular teeth straightening options – particularly for adults. The treatment consists of a series of clear aligner trays that fit over the teeth – like a mouthguard. The aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth, and each one is worn for two weeks and then changed for the next aligner in the series.
The aligners are usually issued in batches and require fewer visits to the dentist than treatment with traditional dental braces. Although the aligners are removable, patients must still wear them for 22 hours a day to be effective.
The average length of Invisalign treatment is 12 months, although some patients achieve their desired results in as little as six months.
Invisalign uses clear plastic to make its aligners. Therefore they are virtually invisible when worn, making them an ideal choice for adults, adolescents or teens who may feel self-conscious about wearing highly visible braces. Typically, Invisalign is not recommended for severely crooked teeth.
Inman aligners
The Inman aligner specifically aligns protruding front teeth (also known as buck teeth or overjet). It is a removable appliance that is very efficient, gently guiding the front teeth into position in a few weeks. Treatment takes an average of 6-18 weeks.
So now you know more about how to straighten teeth, perhaps you’re wondering how to stop them drifting back again to their original positions?
Wearing a retainer
A retainer is usually worn until the gum and bone have stabilised to support the newly positioned teeth and stop them from moving. Retainers may be removable or fixed depending on the original problem.
Teeth straightening – The Takeaway
Although orthodontic treatment can seem like an arduous process, it is at most only a couple of years. However, the benefits to your oral health and self-confidence will last you a lifetime.
To find out more about how to straighten your teeth, get in touch with our friendly team at Beyond 32 Dental today by calling us on (02) 9158 6334 and look forward to a brand new smile.
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