Improving Your Smile With Orthodontics

Orthodontics can be used to transform your smile by improving the alignment of your teeth. Poor alignment can ruin the aesthetics of even the whitest smile and make teeth more vulnerable to tooth decay.

Issues that orthodontics can be used to treat include: Crooked teeth, crossbites, overbites, overjets, and underbites.

Exploring your options when it comes to orthodontics

People who would like to improve the alignment of their teeth now have more options than ever before. Most orthodontic devices work by constantly pushing on the wearer’s teeth, moving them to a better alignment position over time. Popular options that patients can choose from when it comes to straightening their teeth include the following.

1. Braces

Braces are one of the most popular orthodontic appliances used by dentists. But people, especially children, who wear them may get teased about their aesthetics.

Traditional metal braces have become slimmer and slicker over the years, however, and they are the most versatile oral appliance used to straighten teeth. They can tackle issues that other orthodontic appliances cannot, like poor teeth alignment caused by bad teeth positioning.

Braces are made up of two major parts: brackets, which are attached to each tooth, and wires, which connect all the brackets on each dental arch. Tightening these wires increases the force of the appliance on the wearer’s teeth.

2. Clear braces

These are the evolved versions of traditional metal braces. The metal brackets are swapped out for clear or tooth-colored brackets, while the metal wires are replaced with transparent ones. Clear braces can be just as effective as traditional metal braces when it comes to dealing with teeth alignment issues, but they are harder to detect in the wearer’s mouth. Clear braces are an ideal option for people who need braces to address their specific orthodontic issues but want a more discreet alternative.

3. Clear aligners

These are popular for straightening teeth nowadays. They are transparent plastic trays that are almost impossible to detect when worn. These trays are also removable, so tasks like eating, brushing, and flossing are less challenging to deal with for the wearer.

The rigid trays used for the treatment exert force on the wearer’s teeth, slowly pushing them to an improved alignment. The trays being transparent means the patient gets to show off their smile while their teeth are being moved to their new positions.