Call Us! (780) 424-7475

How Do You Straighten Your Teeth?

Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Wearing a beautiful smile with naturally straight teeth is a dream that everyone has. Not all people can boast of being blessed with naturally straight teeth. Most often people have crooked or misaligned teeth. Fortunately, there are several ways in which you can straighten your teeth and your orthodontist can help you. The most common way is to get braces for aligning your teeth. However, wearing braces is not the only way to straighten your teeth. If you have limited crowding or malocclusion (a bite problem) then you may not require braces. Depending on your condition, the dentist will recommend the best out of several ways to straighten your teeth.

Braces

Braces is the most common fixed application to align your teeth. They consists of wires, brackets and bands which when fixed, help in correcting the position of your teeth. Tiny brackets are bonded to the front surface of the teeth and arch wires are passed inside the brackets. Tightening the arch wire creates tension on the teeth, gradually moving the teeth to proper position. Depending on your condition, it may take a few months to a year or more for the completion of treatment. Today, braces are smaller, lighter and come in a variety of colors for children and adults alike.

Invisalign

best dentist downtown edmonton

Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Invisalign are new alternatives to braces that use clear removable aligners to get your teeth aligned. These clear aligners are like teeth guards that fit over your teeth to align them. Unlike braces, they do not permanently stick to your teeth and you can remove them whenever you need to. Since they are clear and invisible, they are a popular choice amongst patients who wish to avoid irritation that comes along with braces. As they are removable, it requires you to be strict with wearing them regularly or you will end up with a long treatment.

Retainers

Retainers come in fixed as well as removable forms. Fixed retainers are bonded to the back of your teeth while removable retainers are worn on the front surface of your teeth. Generally, they are used to maintain the position of your teeth after orthodontic treatments like braces. Otherwise they can also treat minor misalignments or limited crowding.

Palatal Expanders

Palatal expander is a device used to widen the arch upper jaw, allowing teeth to move into their correct positions. If a child’s mouth is too small to accommodate future teeth, then the dentist may use a palatal expander to widen the palate or upper jaw. The expander is fastened to the upper molars using dental cement. It consists of a screw attached to the bands. The orthodontist uses a special key to turn this screw which forces the joints in the bones of the palate to open lengthwise, widening the jaw.

These are a the ways which can help you get your teeth aligned and put on a beautiful smile. While braces are a common treatment, some oral conditions may not require them. Hence, it is best to consult a dentist to recommend the best treatment to straighten your teeth.

Save