Teeth Straightening Options

Most modern teeth straightening systems are designed to deliver high levels of comfort and concealment. Although traditional braces were associated with pre-teens and teenagers in the past, today teeth straightening options are available to patients of any age. When permanent teeth grow in, most children have crowding or gaps in their teeth, but even children with the straightest smiles can develop crooked teeth after they become adults. People with perfectly healthy teeth and gums still experience orthodontic problems like crooked teeth, over or under bites, or gaps. Regardless of age, dental patients can confidently improve their smiles without worrying about their appearance, whether still in school or giving a corporate presentation.

Sometimes patients are under the impression that retainers, traditional wire braces and newer invisible braces are a one-time fix for a straighter smile. Braces aren't used just to improve the appearance of smiles. Straight teeth have more efficient dental functions, like safely chewing foods, and also reduce the number of areas in the mouth where bacteria can harbor and cause cavities or gum disease.

The best way to find the right teeth straightening system for your smile is to learn as much as you can about each option and then work with one of the top dentists in the country. Through years of successful experience, complicated dental procedures and continued training in the latest teeth straightening methods available to the dental industry, great cosmetic dentists will assess your health history, dental records and present a custom teeth straightening program with the best results and highest comfort. They will also help you choose a teeth straightening system perfect for you:

• Traditional braces. Wires and metal brackets are the most recognizable orthodontic method, especially as a teeth straightening option for children. The prime time for developing a straight smile is when the jaw is still growing. Since permanent teeth are newly exposed in pre-teens, straightening teeth with teenage patients helps ensure a straighter smile for life.
• Invisible braces. These are the most popular for adult orthodontics. Without the cumbersome wiring and brackets, the end results are the same as traditional braces: a confident and straight smile. These systems (one popular brand is Invisalign) use a series of transparent retainers (or aligners) to gradually shift the position of teeth. Patients who have used invisible braces often love the simple application and removability. There's no need to floss in between wires, and the retainers are easily removed before meals.

How long does each orthodontic procedure take to make a straight smile? The answer depends on your age, position of teeth and overall dental health. A visit with an experienced cosmetic dentist will help determine if extractions are necessary, how often you'll need to make adjustments and which system best fits within your budget. If you're interested in straightening teeth quickly and need an aggressive approach on your journey to a straight smile, a cosmetic dentist can tailor a special orthodontic program just for you.

A 2012 Preferred Provider of Invisalign in Raleigh, NC provided this general information about the Invisalign option for improving your smile. This dentist practices in Raleigh, North Carolina at Raleigh Comprehensive and Cosmetic Dentistry and is committed to offering high quality dental services and exceptional patient care. The practice provides a wide variety of dental treatments and options for braces.