Historically, braces were the primary solution that doctors used to align teeth and correct bite. Thanks to recent advances in dental technology, many more options are now available. However, braces still remain the best method for severely crooked teeth and significant occlusion disorders.
Braces are dental devices that use pressure to gradually move and straighten teeth. Misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, teeth with large gaps between them, jaw lines that do not close with each other are often treated with braces.
The only proven alternative to braces is jaw surgery, which is not suitable for all patients. On the Internet, you can find tips on how to do orthodontic treatment at home yourself to avoid braces. Any homemade alternatives can permanently damage your teeth. Only an orthodontist can align the teeth and correct the bite.
Other ways to improve your smile
Besides braces, there are other procedures that can improve your smile. However, they are not suitable in all cases and not for all patients.
Palate expanders. Sometimes the mouth is too small to fit the teeth. This can cause a crossbite, where one or more teeth in the lower jaw overlap the upper ones and the rows of teeth cross. To correct this condition, a plate can be inserted between the upper row of teeth. This device gently moves the teeth apart and expands the space for them. Different types of these devices are used at different ages. Because the jaws of children and adolescents are still growing, and in adulthood the bone is already fully formed.
Herbst device. The Herbst appliance can be used to correct a misaligned jaw. This metal device is attached to the upper and lower teeth. The device is usually used in children at the same time as braces because it straightens the jaw if it grows forward. The Herbst appliance helps to align the upper and lower jaw so that the teeth fit together correctly.
Transparent aligners. These devices apply slight pressure to the teeth to gradually align them. Aligners are virtually invisible, so few people will know you are undergoing treatment. They are changed every two weeks and gently move the teeth into the correct position. However, aligners also have disadvantages: they must be removed while eating, and they can only help with minor orthodontic problems.
Veneers. These appliances are more of a tooth restoration than an alignment tool. Veneers can be installed on crooked teeth only with minor defects. In severe cases, orthodontic treatment will be required. It is unlikely that veneers will be able to correct the bite, but they can improve the smile, change the shape and color of the teeth and hide the gaps between the teeth.
Orthopedic correction using crowns. This technique is rarely used by dentists. The dentist grinds the teeth and makes microprosthetics. First, temporary crowns are placed on the patient, and then permanent ones.
Aesthetic dentistry. Teeth whitening will not make them straighter, but it will improve their appearance and make misaligned teeth less noticeable.
Can retainers straighten teeth without braces?
Fixators or retainers are wire-based dental devices that must be worn after the braces are removed to maintain the achieved result.
If your teeth are only slightly crooked or crowded, your dentist may recommend braces instead of a full set of braces. In some cases, you may even be able to use a removable mouthguard as part of the treatment for very minor crowding. Treatment with retainers should be carried out only under the close supervision of the orthodontist who prescribed them.
Who needs teeth straightening?
If crooked teeth are affecting your daily life, you should consider treatment. If you have trouble chewing or biting your food, or if the condition of your teeth is affecting the way you speak, or you don’t like the way your teeth look because they are crowded or uneven, orthodontic treatment can straighten your smile.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends determining whether a child needs orthodontic treatment no later than age 7. The ideal time to get braces is between the ages of 9 and 14. But you’re never too old to get braces, and more and more adults are choosing to undergo orthodontic treatment.
Signs that you or your child need orthodontic treatment:
- crowded or incorrectly located teeth;
- jaws that shift or click;
- difficulty in chewing or biting;
- the jaw does not close when the mouth is closed;
- difficulty in pronouncing certain words or pronouncing certain sounds;
- mouth breathing
For most people, braces are the safest and most effective way to straighten teeth permanently. However, if your teeth are only slightly crooked or slightly crowded, your dentist may prescribe other options for correcting your bite. Do not try to straighten your teeth yourself. Work with an orthodontist to find the right solution for aligning your teeth.