Ask Your Dentist About Teeth Straightening Procedures to Improve Your Smile

For anyone with crooked or misaligned teeth, there are several teeth straightening options available, and you should not wait to ask your general dentist about which procedure would be right for you. Straighter teeth will enhance your smile and your self-confidence, and this could have positive effects on your social life and perhaps also your career. As an oral health benefit, you will also be less likely to develop jaw issues like temporomandibular joint disorder. 

There are other oral health benefits to having your teeth straightened; for example, they are easier to brush and floss, which will help decrease your risk of cavities and gum disease. There is also less wear and tear on straighter teeth which means you will be less likely to chip a tooth or suffer from any other kinds of tooth damage. You can chew better with straighter teeth, and this is better for your digestive health. You will also speak better with straighter teeth, and this could benefit your life in many ways. Next, we will look at some of the teeth straightening options that are available.

Palatal expanders

When teeth are crowded or impacted or when they do not align when you bite, the problem can often be fixed with a palatal expander. Your dentist would want to first make an impression of your teeth so that a palatal expander could be custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly. This device is made of two separate halves that are attached to the top back molars on both sides of your upper jaw. 

These two halves are typically connected by a screw that sits up high on the roof of your mouth. Each day you would want to turn this screw a little, which causes the palatal expander to slowly expand your palate and make room for your teeth as well as align your bite. A palatal expander is most used on pre-teens, but it also works on teenagers and adults at any age.

Braces

Braces are a very common and effective method of teeth straightening, and while we think of them as being worn by children, they can also help adults at any age. They are made of metal brackets that are attached by an archwire that runs through a slot in each bracket. As the brackets are attached to each tooth, the archwire puts pressure on them, causing crooked teeth to straighten. 

Braces are usually made of metal, but there are also ceramic braces that also straighten your teeth, but they are less visible. There is also a less common version of braces called lingual braces. They fit on the inside of your teeth instead of upfront. Lingual braces are a little less comfortable, but some people prefer them because they are less obvious. 

Veneers

If your teeth are only crooked in the front, you may want to consider veneers. While they do not straighten your teeth, they do fit over your front teeth, making them look perfectly straight with no spaces in between. Veneers can also add to the length of your teeth while providing you with an illustrious color and a beautiful smile. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.casasadobesdentistry.com or call Casas Adobes Dentistry at (520) 365-0559 for an appointment in our Tucson office.