Your smile plays an important role in the first impression you give to the world. A bright, healthy smile radiates confidence and can make a person seem friendly and approachable. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with a glowing set of straight teeth and many people feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their smile.
Understandably, the thought of wearing metallic dental braces in order to achieve a healthy smile can be off-putting. Luckily, however, there are alternatives available.
If you are considering treatment to straighten your teeth and would like to know more about your options then read on.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a popular choice today when it comes to correcting misaligned teeth. Invisalign is one of the most popular types of clear aligner that are recommended and fitted by dentists such as Dental 360 in Calgary.
Discreet and removable, clear aligners are custom-made for each person and are designed to gradually move teeth into place. They are an effective treatment for people with overbites, gaps in the teeth as well as crooked teeth and results can be achieved within 12 to 18 months of treatment.
Retainers
Usually given as a follow-up treatment for patients who have worn braces, retainers can correct misaligned teeth in certain situations.
This treatment is most effective for people with minor issues such as a slight tooth gap or malocclusion of their teeth. Although removable, retainers work best when worn full-time.
Lingual Braces
Similar to traditional metallic braces that comprise of brackets and wires, lingual braces offer an alternative by being fitted at the back of the teeth, making them almost invisible. As opposed to traditional braces which apply pressure to the teeth, pushing them into place, lingual braces work by pulling the teeth into alignment.
As they are placed closer to the tongue, lingual braces can create a lisp in some people and can make it more difficult to effectively clean your teeth. Typically, they are also more expensive than traditional braces.
Six Month Smiles
This treatment is best for people with mild to moderate crowding or spacing issues and involves gently shifting the teeth into the desired position. As this option only takes six months it is not recommended for overbites or major misalignment issues.
Much like traditional metal braces, the treatment involves fixing brackets and wires to the teeth, however, in this case, they are clear making them a more discrete choice.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are very similar to traditional metal braces, however, instead of using stainless steel brackets clear or tooth-colored brackets are used, allowing for a seamless and discreet blend that is less noticeable.
Compared to metal braces, ceramic brackets are larger which can make cleaning the gum line or enamel more difficult, possibly leading to swollen, receding or sensitive gums. Ceramic braces are also less durable and are more likely to fracture or break compared to metal.
Although your choice of treatment will depend on your unique dental requirements, you can now feel confident knowing there are a number of treatment options available to you which are discrete and effective.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
