Some people’s teeth grow uncontrollably and end up misaligned. This can be because of the crowded space in your jaw or your bad habits. The problem is that crooked teeth can be very embarrassing. If you want to be able to smile without any worries, you will need to straighten those teeth out. Orthodontics is a good approach to take to fix the problem. Here are some of the things that can be done:
Retainers
The most common way to fix crooked teeth is the installation of orthodontic appliances. Retainers are the simplest appliance available. There are two types: one is a fixed retainer applied to the inside of your teeth. This keeps the teeth in position over time. It fixes the crookedness over time. Removable retainers do something similar, but they are placed over your teeth most of the time. You can still remove them for special occasions or when your teeth are hurting too much. They are expensive, though and can be easily lost.
Braces
Braces work similarly to retainers. But the difference is that they force your teeth into the position that your dentist wants instead of just letting the teeth grow into the right position. This is why they usually use heavy metal installations. The braces put brackets on each teeth and the metal bracing wires slowly push the teeth into place. This can cause aches in your jaw over time but it can be worth it for the results.
The more affordable choice for braces is the metal type. Thanks to modern technology, they are less obvious nowadays but they are still noticeable. Ceramic braces are also available. They blend with your teeth, but they are expensive and can stain easily. Note that you will be wearing these braces for years to get good results.
Invisible Braces
A mix of retainer and brace, invisible braces or aligners are placed over your teeth. They are pretty transparent and people don’t notice them much. In addition, they are removable so you can take them out when necessary. This does cause problems with the straightening process so you can expect to wear them much longer than you would for normal braces. Additionally, they don’t work well with major straightening operations that braces can handle.
Lingual braces are also a type of invisible braces. They work like traditional braces, but they are placed behind your teeth. That means they tend to be expensive because of the difficulty of their installation.
Teeth Straightening Surgery
For really bad cases, your dentist might even recommend full straightening surgery. The operation will involve rearranging the bones and gums so that your teeth will come out straight. For really bad cases, doctors will recommend fixing the positioning of your jaw. Besides the surgery, your dentist might also require you to have braces, but the time that you will be wearing them will be shorter.
With crooked teeth, you will find smiling challenging and embarrassing. That is why you will want to straighten them out. The information above will be a big help in ensuring that you can be able to smile again with full confidence.
