The Importance Of Teeth Straightening For Your Dental Health
While a straight smile might look aesthetically pleasing and do wonders for your sense of self confidence, it’s actually really important for your long term dental health. Crooked teeth create small, hard to reach spaces that your toothbrush cannot access. These spaces will trap debris and attract bacteria, and are highly likely to decay when you can’t clean them properly. Misaligned teeth and jaws also create uneven wear and tear on your bite surfaces too, which can damage and weaken your teeth.
Getting the appropriate orthodontic treatment for your dental issue is very important for your teeth to last a lifetime.
The best approach to help you determine what the most appropriate orthodontic treatment for your needs is, is to have a consultation with your dental practitioner. You will have an assessment, which includes dental x-rays and digital photographs, as well as a discussion about your lifestyle needs. Your dental practitioner will draw up a treatment plan which will include all your treatment options, as well as the appropriate costs so you can make an informed decision for your long term dental health.
Teeth Straightening With Metal Braces
Younger teenagers benefit from metal orthodontics, which make use of a wire and bracket system. This applies pressure to the teeth consistently, and pushes them into the correct position over time. Metal braces are highly effective and have been used for many decades to straighten teeth and address jaw alignment issues.
When it comes to the disadvantages patients find traditional orthodontics to be uncomfortable, something which increases when they have to be adjusted. They can cause irritation and discomfort inside your mouth, but these inconveniences are worth it when you compare the payoff of having a straight smile.
Traditional metal braces can be used to address all bite and teeth straightening issues.
How To Fix Crooked Teeth With Invisible Braces And Aligners?
Older adolescents and adults may prefer a more discrete approach to orthodontic treatment in the form of invisible braces or aligners. These are made from a special kind of plastic which is fitted over the front of your teeth. Unlike traditional orthodontics, which need to be adjusted to keep the pressure system consistent, you are given several boxes of aligners, with each marketing a new position in your orthodontic treatment plan. You will swop them for a new pair every second week.
Older patients like aligners because they are less restrictive on your lifestyle and can be removed for eating and drinking. This is important to ensure the plastic does not get stained or discoloured. They do require special cleaning before being put back into your mouth, and it’s important that they are worn for the minimum time of 20-22 hours per day to ensure you meet your treatment milestones. This makes them more suitable for mature patients who will follow the best practice guidelines.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces offer the same kind of correction as traditional metal braces, but they are fitted to the underside of your teeth. This makes them more discrete, which is a more appealing prospect to older patients.
How Long Will It Take To Correct Your Smile?
When your dental practitioner provides you with your treatment plan, it will include a timeline. If you do opt for clear aligners it is important that you follow the treatment plan through to its conclusion, even if your teeth appear to be straight to you.
In the majority of instances patients need to wear a retainer for a few hours a day after their braces have been removed. This is most often at night or for a few hours a day and it ensures that your teeth do not slip back into their former positions. Failing to wear your retainer can take you backwards in your treatment plan and undo the good work that you have spent months on.
If you’d like to find out more about how to fix crooked teeth and experience improved oral health it’s time to make an appointment. Please contact us for an appointment: (02) 9158 6379.
