When I reached the ripe old age of 18 and still had atrociously crooked teeth, I felt like I was doomed to live my life with a flawed smile. My solution was ultimately to opt for traditional metal braces, but that certainly isn't your only option if you find yourself in a similar position. So how can you straighten your pearly whites and attain the smile you've always wanted? Let's explore the possibilities.
Many people find "invisible braces" the most clearly (pardon the pun) appealing. The process of straightening is very simple, involving a series of trays, which are formulated much the same as a clear retainer, but each tray is created to shift your teeth a little more each time. In order to achieve the results in a timely manner, you need to be consistent in wearing the trays whenever you aren't eating or drinking, or according to the instructions of your dentist.
For mild crowding, your dentist will most likely grind a little excess off the sides of each of the affected teeth. Sometimes this can increase sensitivity to hot and cold, as the nerves in each tooth will be more exposed. If this concerns you, talk openly with your dentist.
Your case may not qualify for invisible braces, however. Severe crowding or wide spacing typically cannot be fixed with clear trays, but a thorough consultation with your dentist will let you know definitively whether or not you are a candidate. Your regular dentist may not provide this service, so contact an orthodontist or a dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry.
Traditional metal braces treat the widest variety of tooth and jaw problems, potentially correcting alignment issues and other common problems. They can be wired instead to the inside of the teeth to keep them from showing, but abrasions to the tongue will increase in these cases (though from experience I can say that small lesions to lips, cheeks, and tongue will happen regardless).
If you have more extensive damage to your teeth and fear that straightening will still not get the ultimate results you hope for, then discuss with your cosmetic dentist the possibilities for veneers. Porcelain or composite veneers can be applied over your teeth within a few simple appointment, granting you an instantly perfect smile. There are pros and cons to both porcelain and composites, so do some research on your own and then make a decision with your dentist.
These are just a few options to consider as you begin to re-design your smile. Your dentist or orthodontist can educate you on the best pathway for your case. Don't give up until you get the results you want!
Author Resource:-
Mannem Dentistry (http://www.drmannem.com/) is composed of premier Lakeway dentist in Austin TX. DDS has been proudly providing quality dental care to the community of Austin for over 10 years.
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