Smiling is one of the most natural and healthy things a person can do, and while some of us may feel self-conscious about it because of our teeth, there is hope in choosing a teeth straightening technique that works for each person. When the teeth are straighter, people have more confidence, chew their food better, and improve their quality of life.
In addition to wanting straight front teeth for an attractive smile, the rear teeth can benefit from being straight as well. Rear teeth do most of the chewing, and when they are out of alignment, they may chip or break, which can send patients to the dentist looking for repairs. Additionally, crooked teeth can take up more room than they are supposed to. This can cause early wear on the front and rear teeth, or discomfort that is caused by the crowding of the teeth. Finally, crooked teeth offer a variety of places for food and sugars to stay hidden and be missed by brushing. This issue can cause more frequent cavities.
By straightening the teeth now, individuals will likely avoid dental bills in the future. Because straight teeth are so important, it prompts a lot of people to ask their dentist what the best teeth straightening option is for them.
If the teeth are severely crooked, a dentist may suggest braces. When we think of braces, we often think of kids in their early teens, and while that is the age group that most often gets them, braces can also help adults at any age. When patients wear braces, they have brackets that grip each of their teeth, and they are all attached by an archwire that puts pressure on them to eventually give them straight teeth. As the teeth realign themselves, the jawbone grows around them, leaving them with lasting effects so that they should never need braces again.
There are three general kinds of braces to choose from. There are the traditional metal ones, ceramic braces that are a little less obvious and lingual braces that fit onto the back of the tooth so that people will not see them working their magic of teeth straightening. If a person is considering braces, it would be best to talk with their dentist about which of the three would be best for them.
Once the braces come off, the dentist may suggest you wear a retainer for a few months. The job of a retainer is to hold the now straightened teeth in place so that they do not slide back. A retainer is not needed by everyone who gets braces, and it is one more thing a patient should discuss with their dentist.
If the teeth are mostly crooked at the top, it may be because they are crowded together. If this is the case, the dentist may suggest a palatal expander because it widens the upper jaw just a little each day so that the teeth have more room to fit together. Another reason for a palatal expander is if a patient has a crossbite where the upper teeth align on the inside of the lower teeth. In this case, a palatal expander can realign your bite.
A palatal expander is made of two parts that press up against the upper molars on either side to widen the upper jaw. The two parts meet up in the middle with a screw that is turned a little each day to further expand the jaw.
It is important for anybody that is looking for options to straighten their smile to consult with a dentist. A patient's dentist has the personal knowledge of the unique situation for each individual and can help recommend the best options for them. The field of dental science is continually improving and sometimes creates new options for patients that allow them to get the smile that they have always wanted.
In addition to having a beautiful smile, straight teeth provide a lot of benefits. Some of these include better overall hygiene, reduced tooth wearing, fewer cavities, and less work on the jaw. Straight and properly aligned teeth help us do a variety of things better than crooked teeth, and many patients find that they didn't know how hard they were working to compensate for those issues. It is important to schedule a call with a dentist to determine which options are available for each individual.
Request an appointment here: https://bellairedentalsuite.com or call Bellaire Dental Suite at (832) 266-0665 for an appointment in our Bellaire office.
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