Teeth Straightening

Tooth misalignment is something that most people have to some degree, whether it's a slightly crooked front tooth or a full set of irregularly shaped teeth. At one time this may have been a condition that you chose to live with, rather than undergo months of metal braces treatment. Now, however, there are modern teeth straightening treatments that are able to straighten your teeth in a shorter space of time, through treatment that is discreet and bespoke. Braces need not even be the treatment of choice, with options such as porcelain veneers available to give you a natural-looking smile.

What are the causes of tooth misalignment?

While the main cause of tooth misalignment is purely hereditary, there are many things we can do to cause our teeth to go astray, especially during our younger years. Sucking on dummies, bottles, thumbs and other objects can cause a change of alignment of teeth, even before they come through in the mouth. Habits that we pick up in later life can also affect our teeth, such as biting our nails, lips or tongue, which can all put small amounts of pressure on our teeth and move them out of shape.

Teeth straightening options

There are a number of ways to realign teeth if they go astray, but the most popular are aligners and braces.

Braces

Braces are the traditional way of straightening teeth, but as anyone who went to school with someone who had braces will know, they are also very noticeable and can make the user quite uncomfortable with their smile. Composed of wires and brackets that cover the teeth, metal braces gradually exert pressure on the teeth to move them into alignment. However, this method can take a long time, which is why many people are now turning to aligners.

Aligners

Aligners work in a similar way to braces in that they apply pressure to teeth in order to move them, but they are far more appealing to the eye and many systems can even be removed to help maintain oral hygiene and keep your social standing in check. They also offer a quick treatment time, with some aligners able to half the estimated treatment time of traditional braces. Popular aligners include Invisalign and Inman aligners, both of which are almost completely unnoticeable and much faster acting than traditional braces.

Other cosmetic dental options

If you do not wish to undergo braces treatment, dental veneers are a quick and easy method to straighten your teeth and improve the aesthetics of your smile.

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