Some people find that a beautiful smile with straight teeth is the best beauty accessory; however, not everyone is sure what their teeth look like. Although orthodontic appliances are the most effective solution for straightening teeth, traditional ones give a "metallic smile" that not everyone appreciates. Fortunately, there are other techniques for getting straight teeth, which do not involve applying braces; it all depends on your needs.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prevent the Teeth from Getting Crooked
Step 1. Lose the habit of sleeping on your stomach
The teeth very close together and angled inwards are the result of a gentle but continuous pressure applied in an inward direction. One of the most common factors that leads to this pressure is precisely the fact of sleeping on the stomach; this position causes the face to support a certain weight, which in turn pushes the teeth. The pressure increases if you put your arms or another hard object under your head while you sleep like this. Even if this is your favorite position, try to get used to sleeping on your back or on your side to prevent your teeth from slowly moving inward.
Step 2. Do not rest your face on your hand during the day
Many people who study or work at their desks for a long time develop this incorrect postural attitude. As you lean forward on the worktable and lean your face against your hand, you transfer a lot of constant pressure to one side of your jaw. In this way, the teeth on one side of the arches are pushed inwards becoming crooked. To prevent this from happening, try to realign your posture by making sure your butt is fully supported rather than leaning back towards your lower back. Correct the position of the lower body to improve that of the upper body; in this way you do not experience cervical fatigue and you do not feel the need to rest your face on your hands.
Step 3. Stop sucking your thumb and put an end to all other oral fixations
You can promote misalignment of the teeth not only with constant external pressure, but also by applying continuous force from the inside. This phenomenon is more common among children who excessively suck their thumbs; however, many teens and adults develop similar bad habits that cause the same damage. The use of straws, biting the tip of the ballpoint pen and making balloons with chewing gum are all actions that generate pressure similar to that developed by sucking your fingers and can alter the position of the teeth. Try to stop these vices that push the dental arches. If you can't help but use the straw, at least try to position it towards the back of your mouth and avoid it leaning against your teeth.
Step 4. Replace the missing teeth
Although it is normal for milk teeth to fall out to give way to permanent ones, the loss of teeth in adulthood is instead an event that leads to problems, including misalignment. Adults can lose their teeth due to extractions, an injury, dental problems or because the definitive ones never came out after the milk ones fell. The space that remains after extraction increases the pressure on the remaining teeth which begin to move. If you close these spaces with braces, bridges, implants or partial dentures, you can prevent other teeth from changing position.
Step 5. Have your wisdom teeth extracted when the time is right
While some research shows that allowing wisdom teeth to come out without pulling them out does not alter the position of the other teeth, this does not apply to all mouths. If these sprout at an angle or your teeth are already quite misaligned, your wisdom teeth can cause everyone else to move quickly. If you regularly undergo dental visits and x-rays of the mouth and jaw, you increase the chances of stopping the problem in the bud and being able to do the extraction when the dentist sees fit. If you postpone this procedure, you will only experience pain and in all likelihood your teeth will lose their alignment.
Part 2 of 3: Finding an Orthodontist
Step 1. Try to understand what you don't like about your teeth
It is essential to identify in advance what you would like to change, so that you can then define your goals with an orthodontist. Some treatments can only solve certain problems, so remember that it's important to have a clear idea of what your smile should look like.
Step 2. Look for a licensed orthodontist who works in your area
Remember that this professional is not only an ordinary dentist, but also specializes in studying the complex development of teeth and jaw bones. It is vital that you are an orthodontist and not a dentist, so that you can discuss your situation and come up with a plan of care. You need to make sure he is a graduate and licensed to practice medicine, because "fake doctors" are not uncommon in this field; also check his experience, so that you can contact a professional who can offer you the best treatments.
Step 3. Make an appointment with your orthodontist to evaluate the treatments available to you
You may have already done some research on your own, but the only person who can tell you exactly what the viable options are for straightening your teeth is this doctor. Sometimes, it is imperative to wear braces to resolve the situation. If this is not the case, discuss the other possibilities with the professional and listen to his advice. Here are some of the questions you might ask him:
- What does the proposed treatment entail and what are the consequences you might face if you decide not to continue with the treatment?
- How much does the procedure cost and what are the possible payment methods? Is there any agreement with insurance companies?
- What checks will you have to undergo once the treatment is finished?
- Can the orthodontist show you photos of his previous patients "before and after" the treatment?
Step 4. Get a second opinion
It would be good to ask three different doctors for advice before making your choice and starting treatment, especially if the case is complicated or involves some extraction. Many orthodontists insist on fitting braces even when other solutions are available; however, experts agree that there is no single correct way to proceed. Visit an orthodontist to find the one that makes you most comfortable and offers you the treatments you can afford.
Step 5. Choose a professional and start treatment
Once you have found your trusted specialist, you need to make a second appointment. During this visit, your doctor will take an impression of your mouth and give you a panoramic X-ray of your face and jaws. Thanks to the mold and x-rays, the orthodontist will be able to determine exactly what you need to correct your smile and will be able to explain the details of the various solutions available. With all this information, you will be able to make an informed choice regarding therapies.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing the Best Treatment
Step 1. Evaluate the clear bites
They are devices similar to very narrow, customized mouthguards that are applied over the arches and that slowly realign the teeth. As children's mouths are constantly growing and developing, clear bites are more suitable for adolescents or adults who have achieved a stable conformation. This treatment is usually recommended for patients with a mild or moderate "dental crowding" or diastema problem, but is not suitable for severe or more complex cases of malocclusion. The treatment with transparent bites generally lasts 10-24 months and can cost from 4000 to 7000 euros, depending on the duration of the same. Other considerations to make regarding this solution are:
- One of the advantages of these devices is that they can be removed; in this way you can wash them and maintain perfect oral hygiene.
- Transparent bites are effective only if the patient is constantly wearing them. If they are used in a discontinuous manner, the total times of treatment expand.
Step 2. Ask for more information about lingual or internal braces
They are similar to traditional ones, but they are applied on the inner face of the teeth. They exploit the usual mechanism of threads that are gradually stretched to straighten the teeth; they usually wear for 6-24 months, depending on the complexity of the situation. This solution is best suited to people over the age of 10 or who have a moderate or severe diastema problem. Just like transparent bites, lingual braces are the solution for those who want a discreet device, as they are difficult to see. However, they are cheaper than traditional ones and cost between 5,000 and 12,000 euros, depending on the duration of the treatment. Also remember that:
- Lingual braces will create some discomfort at first and will take some getting used to. Many patients complain of some irritation caused by the contact of the tongue with the brackets and brackets.
- Speech defects and (temporary) blesities are not uncommon among those who use these devices.
Step 3. Try a palatal expander
This instrument is also known as REP (rapid palatal expander) and is used to widen the jaw, so that the upper and lower arches fit together better. It is formed by a sort of screw that is fixed to the teeth with rubber bands; turning the screw with a special key widens the palate. In this way, crowding problems of the teeth are corrected by returning them in a natural way to their correct position. It is a great solution for children and adolescents under the age of 15, as the jawbone is still malleable by this age. The palatal expanders have a variable cost between 800 and 2500 euros, depending on the type and duration of the necessary treatment. Again, there are some details to point out:
- Once the expansion is complete, the device should be left in place for approximately three months to stabilize both the teeth and palate.
- The palatal expanders must be checked often by the orthodontist who uses a special key to gradually increase the dilation of the palate.
- The process could be very painful and, in some cases, cause non-permanent problems with pronunciation and mouth irritation.
Step 4. Choose a Retainer Orthodontic_Practice_Components
This device can be either fixed or removable; it is built for the upper or lower arch to change the position of the teeth. Typically, it is used to stabilize the teeth once the treatment with the appliance or the splint is finished. Retainers are also useful in mild cases for patients of all ages. They have a variable cost between 400 and 2000 euros, based on the complexity and duration of the treatments. Fixed models adhere to the back of the teeth and are therefore very discreet. The removable retainers are easy to clean and allow you to maintain good oral hygiene.
Step 5. Choose the dental veneers
These are also called aesthetic veneers or veneers, they are made of ceramic and are applied over the natural teeth. They are a good solution for patients with diastemia, stained or chipped teeth. The orthodontist first removes a thin layer of enamel from the teeth and then "glues" the customized veneers using a light-reacting resin. The procedure can be performed in a single session, the results are therefore immediately noticeable. However, the veneers are very expensive, with a price ranging between 400 and 1000 euros for each tooth. This solution is only offered to adults, since the anatomical conformation of the patient determines the dimensions of the veneers, while the children are still growing.
Step 6. Learn about dental modeling
During this procedure, the dentist files the tooth enamel or applies resins of the same color as the teeth to give them a new shape. This is a treatment that is generally reserved for adults, as it is definitive and is not suitable for adolescents or developing children. Since the modeling involves light touch-ups and small fillings, it is mostly used to shorten teeth or to correct those that are slightly crooked, chipped or broken. The surgery is performed in a single session and costs between 50 and 400 euros, depending on the work to be done. Remember that the modeling that is done with composite resin is not perennial and you will have to undergo other sessions over time.
Advice
- Do an online search of the register of dentists and orthodontists to find a qualified professional.
- If the orthodontist provides you with a retainer to wear at night once the treatment is complete, wear it for as long as necessary, strictly following his instructions. The teeth have a "memory" and have an innate tendency to return to their natural position; for this reason, if you stop the treatment too early or do not follow it consistently, the teeth will come back crooked.
- If the costs associated with orthodontic treatment are a concern, remember that some professionals offer installment payments and in some cases there is a partial contribution from the national health service.
Warnings
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Do not try to straighten your teeth by yourself, with any technique.
Home remedies are extremely dangerous. Associations of dentists and orthodontists have also issued a statement to inform consumers of the risk associated with these techniques, as they can cause permanent damage, tooth loss, infections, as well as worsen misalignment.
