Teeth Straightening Options From Your Orthodontist

Your orthodontist can help straighten your teeth with the right treatment. Misaligned teeth can cause many dental issues. Correcting the issue can improve your dental health and self-esteem. Here are the common teeth straightening options to consider with the help of your orthodontist.

Clear aligners

These dental straightening appliances fit comfortably around the dental arches. Each custom aligner is made of durable clear plastic. Many patients prefer this type of teeth straightening system to traditional braces. The patient will be responsible for changing the aligners every one or two weeks. Each aligner targets specific teeth and pushes them into their correct positions. The orthodontist will recommend clear aligners for treating mild to moderate cases of misalignment:

• Open bites
• Crowded teeth
• Dental gaps
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites

An in-office aligner treatment happens in the dental clinic. The orthodontist will take a dental impression of the patient’s dental arches. This will help create a custom-fit treatment plan. The patient will come back to the clinic every four to eight weeks. The visits will give the dentist the chance to check the effectiveness of the aligners. Providing the patient with new aligners will also be part of each checkup.

An at-home aligner treatment will happen away from the dental clinic. The patient will go through a dental assessment at the clinic. This will gather enough information to create the custom aligner set. The patient will have a schedule for changing the aligners. The orthodontist’s role is to check the progress of the treatment and clean the teeth as well. Doing so can shorten the treatment time.

Traditional metal braces

The orthodontist will recommend these braces for severe dental alignment issues. Metal brackets and archwires are visible components of this dental straightening system. Tiny rubber bands hold the components together to make sure that the target teeth move to their correct positions. The gradual force may be painful at the beginning of each new adjustment. But the discomfort fades, signaling the time for another adjustment. The treatment usually lasts for 18 to 36 months.

Ceramic braces

Patients who want a less obvious teeth straightening treatment can choose ceramic braces. This variation can also treat the same alignment problems as metal braces. The braces and archwires are clear but still visible. But these components often blend well with the natural teeth. Treatment time is the same as that of traditional metal braces.

Lingual braces

These braces are custom-fitted to the patient’s dental arches. The components may be the same as those of ceramic and metal braces. But the orthodontist will attach them behind each tooth. These braces can cause more discomfort than clear aligners or braces. Even so, lingual braces work the same way as traditional and ceramic braces. The treatment time of six months to three years will require dedication.

Headgear

An orthodontic headgear can combine with braces. The metal brackets and archwires will correct the positioning of teeth. The headgear will impact the jaw’s development and the general appearance of the face. Treatment time will be 12 hours a day for one to two years.

Retainers

After wearing braces or aligners, the treated teeth will return to their previous position. The orthodontist will recommend retainers to keep the teeth from doing so. These dental appliances will maintain one’s new smile. Retainers can be permanent or removable. The patient must wear these dental appliances for about four to six months. Some people may need to wear them longer.

Dental veneers

An orthodontist may recommend dental veneers for patients who want to have straighter teeth right away. These thin, custom-fit shells can improve the color, size, and shape of teeth. This treatment may take two dental visits. The goal is for the patient to have straighter, younger-looking teeth.

Corrective jaw surgery

This procedure is also called orthognathic surgery. The orthodontist will suggest this procedure for severe jaw misalignment. Jaw surgery is for patients with developed jawbones. It can help correct problems that contribute to temporomandibular joint disorders, as well as sleeping and eating issues.

Benefits of teeth straightening

Crooked teeth can result in more dental problems. The orthodontist can correct this issue using the above-mentioned options. The patient can then enjoy the benefits that a teeth straightening treatment can provide. The following are some of them:

• Leaves an individual with a higher level of self-esteem
• Corrects bite problems, which then improves one’s speaking and eating abilities
• Improves the facial structure
• Makes teeth cleaning easier
• Closes dental gaps
• Ends headaches caused by jaw issues

Your orthodontist can help you achieve a better quality of life

A misaligned bite and crooked teeth can cause pain, as well as low self-esteem. These dental issues can make speaking, eating, and oral care difficult. The right teeth straightening option can end these issues. Working with your orthodontist can make your teeth straightening journey a more pleasant one.

Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.

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