Do I Have to Wear Braces?

Braces can be both painful and embarrassing. Gum soreness, irritation, and open cuts combined with the overall feeling that everyone is watching your mouth often makes the idea of braces unthinkable for many people. Dental technology, however, continues to improve and advanced treatments for misaligned or crooked teeth eliminate the need for braces. Invisalign and porcelain veneers (often referred to as Instant Orthodontics) are two more subtle solutions for people in search of the perfect smile.

Invisalign uses clear, custom-molded aligners that gradually reposition teeth. Results are often seen within six months, and daily life is not interrupted since the aligners are virtually invisible. Invisalign can be removed, allowing freedom to floss, eat and brush. This also reduces the chances of decay and staining, keeping teeth strong. New aligners replace the old every two weeks, moving teeth into the proper position. While a new aligner series can cause some discomfort, gums and lips are never cut as they are with the wires and bars of braces. Dentists and orthodontists have had tremendous success with Invisalign, sending hundreds of thousands of people home with amazing new smiles.

Porcelain veneers are a fast and easy way to change the appearance of your smile while strengthening and straightening crooked or misaligned teeth. Porcelain veneers are permanently bonded onto the front side of teeth so to create a cosmetic improvement for a tooth. Since porcelain is durable and closely resembles the color and texture of a natural tooth, Porcelain veneers are a strong, reliable way to correct discolored, worn, chipped, or misaligned teeth; and they create a very life-like tooth appearance. When Porcelain veneers are applied to teeth, they provide an immediate change in the smile and look of the patient. While this procedure is not a replacement for proper dental health, when applied over natural teeth, it is an easy way to brighten your smile and increase self-esteem. Porcelain veneers can effectively close diastemas (gaps between teeth), lengthen and reshape teeth, repair chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth, and cover stains and discolorations.

While the above solutions are effective treatments for misaligned or crooked teeth, it is always best to consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist before deciding on a solution. Your cosmetic dentist will evaluate your whole mouth and go over all your options to decide what is best in your particular situation.

A great smile can be a wonderful asset. You have the right to a fantastic smile. Despite the fact that braces are readily available for adults, most people simply do not want to endure the pain and embarrassment. If the very idea of braces has kept you from obtaining the self-esteem that a great smile can bring, talk to your orthodontist or dentist about the many advanced options available. You won’t regret it.