Misaligned teeth are a fact of life for several individuals. The condition impacts the patient’s smile and self-confidence as well. Until the last decade, people often avoided opting for dental straightening treatment due to the fear of those bulky metal braces. Fortunately, now there are several patient-friendly treatment options for treating the condition.
Possible reasons behind crowded teeth
From oral hygiene, dental disease, malnutrition, genetics to incorrect eating habits, several factors can lead to crooked teeth.
- A few centuries back, people use to eat a more stringent diet that required jawbones to be large and robust for chewing. But since the last few decades, people eat soft foodstuff that requires lesser chewing. Thus, the jaws do not grow large enough for proper alignment and growth of teeth.
- Dental care experts often come across kids as young as five years of age with crooked teeth. Practices like thumb sucking, reverse swallowing, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can complicate the issue even more.
- Incorrect jaw development combined with other health issues like asthma and allergies may also be one of the reasons behind abnormal facial and dental growth in kids.
- Poor palate development, too many teeth, missing teeth, overbite, and differently shaped upper and lower jaws can also be a result of genetic reasons as per studies.
- Other external factors responsible for this dental condition are accident, jaw-related injuries, tooth extractions, or enlarged adenoids.
Straightening crooked teeth with orthodontics
Put simply; orthodontics involves using braces to put pressure on teeth and slowly correcting their position. Besides better appearance, orthodontic treatment helps in correcting the bite, closing gaps between teeth, and improving overall oral health.
To avoid braces, patients often avoid orthodontics and prefer veneers for straightening their teeth. Both treatment options work differently. Veneers based treatment involves sharpening, reshaping the existing teeth before placing veneers on them. On the other hand, orthodontic treatment involves correcting the bite and teeth position by applying a little bit of pressure. The procedure is secure, and several patients feel surprised due to the ease of performing the new processes.
Traditional metal braces with wires and metal brackets do not need any introduction. However, a lot has changed in its design. The metal brackets and wires are smaller, thinner, less visible, and less painful for the user. Metal braces are still referred to as the best option for resolving misalignment quickly compared to other alternatives. Patients can also opt for ceramic brackets that consist of tooth-colored wires and brackets.
Lingual braces offer metal braces like results. The only difference between them is that the wires and brackets are placed on the back of the teeth. These types of braces are expensive and not recommended for patients with extremely crooked teeth.
Experts recommend Inman Aligner for patients facing issues with top or bottom front teeth. These aligners are less expensive compared to metal braces and Invisalign. The option is best for patients who have already undergone metal braces-based treatment in the past. The patient can expect the front teeth to get back to the ideal position within six to sixteen weeks with Inman Aligner.
Depending on the treatment plan, patients and orthodontists prefer opting for Invisalign clear braces. They are almost invisible and easily removable. Patients can remove them while eating and drinking. With proper care and precautions, orthodontic treatment can continue for months without anyone noticing. Custom made Invisalign aligners fit perfectly on the teeth. The patient needs to visit a dental office for replacing the aligners once every four to six weeks.
Other than aligners and veneers, there are several different ways to fix crooked teeth. The dentist may recommend dental bonding, crowns for crooked teeth, minor surgical procedure / orthognathic surgery to patients whose chewing ability and speech have been severely impacted. It is always advisable to let the dentist choose the treatment option for you.
Ignoring misaligned teeth is not the right option
Regular brushing and flossing can prove to be helpful. However, ignoring misaligned teeth is not an option as it can be an open invitation for cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) ’s research, crooked teeth offer nooks and corners for bacteria growth resulting in gum diseases. The harmful bacteria further cause lousy breath and form sticky plaque that has the potential to cause gum disease.
Almost every orthodontist prefers recommending non-braces alternative. These specialists create a treatment plan and select the best possible option that can help in getting the affected teeth back in the right position. If you are searching for a trustworthy dental office for orthodontist consultation or Invisalign in Roswell GA, you should consider fixing an appointment at TruCare Dentistry. Dr. Toral Ardeshna has helped hundreds of patients with misaligned teeth to get their smile back without wearing metal braces.