Many people assume that you have to wear metal braces in order to deal with crooked teeth. This is not necessarily the case. If teeth are severely out of line wearing metal braces may be necessary. However, there are other methods that can be used to straighten teeth if the problem isn´t severe.
The best person to advise you about your options is a professional dentist or orthodontist. However, it might help to be aware of the different types of treatments available before you attend a consultation. Having this knowledge means that you can be prepared to ask any questions that you may have. Let’s take a look at some of the treatment options that you might want to consider.
Invisalign
Invisalign treatment involves the use of clear aligners that fit snugly over the teeth. They are custom made so that they are a perfect fit. The aligners are replaced every few weeks as the teeth start to move. As the aligners can be removed, there is no problem with eating or cleaning your teeth.
This treatment is ideal for many people who have minor teeth alignment issues. One of the biggest benefits is that the aligners are virtually invisible due to their clear material.
Dental veneers
Veneers do not offer the same overall benefits that braces can provide. However, they can help to fill unsightly gaps, and improve the look of your smile.
Veneers are thin layers of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of teeth. They can help to cover chips and small gaps. Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution that can sometimes be useful in disguising a slight misalignment of teeth.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are similar in design to traditional metal braces. However, they are fitted to the back of the teeth, rather than the front. This means that they can be useful for correcting issues with crooked teeth without having too much of an adverse effect on your appearance.
Lingual braces are not suitable for everyone. For instance, people with pronounced overbites often have problems with the brackets detaching from their teeth.
Clear or ceramic braces
These braces are made in a similar fashion to traditional metal braces but the brackets are made from ceramic or clear plastic. They have less of an effect on your appearance than metal braces do. However, they tend not to be quite as strong as metal braces.
These are your main options if you want an alternative to wearing fixed metal braces. If you discuss your preferences with a dentist or orthodontist, they can tell you if a certain form of treatment is suitable in your case. In some circumstances, the best decision might after all be to use metal braces. If this is the case for you, it might still be worth putting up with the braces in order to attain an attractive and healthy smile at the end of the treatment.
