Many people feel self-conscious about their teeth because of overcrowding, overlapping, gaps, or poor alignment. People with these issues also experience higher rates of tooth decay and gum disease because it can be more challenging to clean their teeth.
Straightening your teeth can improve your oral health and boost your confidence. But it is essential to understand which teeth straightening options are best suited to your unique orthodontic problems.
Different Teeth Straightening Options
Different teeth straightening options focus on the complexity and severity of the orthodontic condition that needs correcting. At Serenity Smiles Dental, we offer several options for teeth straightening to fix your orthodontic issue, accommodate your lifestyle and fit your budget.
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the traditional orthodontic system used to correct orthodontic issues, including complex bite problems and jaw misalignment.
Metal braces comprise of metal brackets that are glued to the front of the teeth which are then connected by archwires. These archwires are periodically tightened or adjusted to increase the force exerted on the teeth and jaws to gradually reposition the teeth. Your orthodontist may also add rubber bands to the braces for added pressure.
While metal braces are more noticeable than other fixed orthodontic appliances, they are the most effective and affordable way to straighten your teeth. You can choose from a range of colours for your bands and brackets to express your style.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces because they also use brackets and wires to create pressure on the teeth and jaws. However, the brackets and wires used for ceramic braces are tooth-coloured for a discreet teeth straightening option.
Ceramic braces and their wires stain easily, so extra care is needed with your diet and oral hygiene.
Damon Braces
Damon braces are a clear alternative to traditional braces and require less maintenance at the dentist’s office. Damon braces are self-ligating, which means they do not use rubber O-bands as conventional braces do. They use a sliding mechanism that moves the brackets along the wires as the teeth realign. This results in less pressure on the teeth so they are more comfortable to wear and less friction to prevent significant tooth erosion. Damon braces also work faster than traditional braces to realign teeth.
Lingual Braces
Unlike traditional braces, lingual braces are placed behind the teeth and are virtually invisible from the front making a popular discreet option for adults who need braces.
The brackets and wires are attached to the back of the tooth, so lingual braces are not suitable for all patients. People with small teeth or young children are not candidates for lingual braces as their teeth are not long enough. Lingual braces also require more care than traditional braces as they are harder to access when brushing and flossing.
Myobraces
The alignment of your child’s milk teeth can impact their oral hygiene and the condition of their permanent teeth. Myobraces are an excellent teeth straightening option for children who are too young to wear braces.
Myobraces only need to be worn for 1-2 hours per day, and overnight while your child sleeps. The appliance helps to correct poor jaw alignment, crooked or crowded teeth and encourages good oral hygiene. The orthodontist may also give your child some exercises to do at home to correct speaking, swallowing, and chewing issues.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners such as Invisalign have seen an enormous surge in popularity for their almost invisible appearance and convenience.
Invisalign are a series of custom trays that are changed every 1-2 weeks to move your teeth into the correct position gradually. They only need to be worn for 20-22 hours per day to be effective so you can remove them when you eat and brush for more convenient oral hygiene. They are more comfortable to wear than traditional braces as the smooth plastic will not irritate the soft tissues in your mouth.
Invisalign trays are a faster way to correct mild to moderate alignment issues than traditional braces, but may not be suitable for complex bite problems and jaw alignment.
Final Thoughts
There are many options for teeth straightening that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Talk with our friendly and experienced staff at Serenity Smiles Dental on (02) 9158 6753 to discuss your alignment issues and which teeth straightening options are available to give you a beautiful straight smile.