Smile Correction Devices: The Good, The Bad And The Amazing

If you have crooked teeth, you likely already know that braces can help to straighten your teeth. However, not everyone wants to wear braces. They can be expensive, they can be time consuming to maintain and many adults feel embarrassed wearing braces. If you are looking to straighten your teeth, but you are looking for an alternative to braces, here are three options that may work for you. 

Dental Crowns

If you have one or two teeth that are not straight and/or there are concerns about the strength of the tooth, a dental crown may be an option to give you a straighter smile. A dental crown is also referred to as a cap. This is because a dental crown is like a cap for your tooth, only upside down. The cap fits snugly around your tooth giving it a new appearance, while inside the cap is your real tooth. This helps to strengthen a weak tooth, while also helping to conceal cosmetic defects, such as cracks, chips and even uneven or crooked teeth. 

Dental Veneers

If your teeth are only slightly uneven and they are otherwise in good structural shape, dental veneers may be an option for you. Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain or composite material that are designed to look like the front of a tooth. The veneers are adhered to the front of your tooth, helping to give the illusion of teeth that have a different shape, size and color. With the use of veneers, minor unevenness can be hidden or disguised behind the veneers, as long as there are not significant gaps or overlaps in your teeth. 

Teeth Aligners

The last option for getting a straight smile without the use of braces is teeth aligners. Both dental crowns and dental veneers do not really straighten your teeth. They simply disguise your real teeth and create the illusion of a straight smile. Teeth aligners, also called invisible tooth trays, help to slowly shift your teeth into place, actually straightening them. Invisalign is a form of a tooth aligner that you may be familiar with. As you progress through treatment, new trays are created for you, allowing your teeth to continue to shift until they are positioned where you want them. 

For some people, braces really are the best option for straightening teeth. For other people, alternatives, such as dental crowns, dental veneers and teeth aligners may be the better choice. If you are looking to straighten your teeth, talk to a dentist or a cosmetic dentist, such as at Professional Dental Center. They can help you determine which option is right for you based on the position of your teeth, your budget and your preferences.