Crooked teeth can really hurt your confidence. It's difficult not to feel a little self-conscious when you're thinking about your less-than-perfect teeth. However, having crooked teeth isn't just a cosmetic issue. There are dental health issues that you may experience due to such teeth including a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Luckily, you now have several solutions that you can take advantage of. Depending on a number of factors, your dentist can recommend the solution that will work best for your teeth.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is one of the most common methods used to treat crooked teeth. Orthodontic appliances can help to straighten the teeth that are crooked. However, they'll need to be worn for a certain period of time for the change to take effect.
To know whether or not you might benefit from this kind of treatment, you'll need to see an orthodontist or a dentist at a clinic like Reed & Sahlaney Orthodontics, LLP. There are cases where this particular treatment may not be advisable. The specialist will need to look up your medical and dental history and will also need to take photos and X-rays of your teeth.
Braces, special fixed appliances, and fixed space maintainers are a few examples of items used in this treatment.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers offer a good long-term solution for people who want to fix their crooked smiles but don't necessarily need orthodontic treatment. These veneers are made of porcelain and can last for up to 20 years. Brushing and flossing will be necessary for keeping the veneers in good shape.
One of the key advantages of using veneers is speedy results. With braces, you'll take some time before you get to see that straight smile. With veneers, there won't be much waiting needed.
Teeth Bonding
This is yet another solution that you can opt for if you don't wish to go for an orthodontic solution. A resin filling material is applied to the teeth and the material will bond to the teeth. For a person with crooked teeth, the bonding can be used to even up the spaces between the teeth. The bonding can be shaped and polished until it's consistent with the rest of the teeth.
Bonding is an even faster solution compared to the use of veneers since it can be done in only one visit. The downside is that the bonding isn't strong and can be easily chipped by chewing on something hard or tough. This makes the bonding a short-term solution.
