Don’t like braces? We’ve got you covered! Read on to learn how to straighten your teeth without braces here.
Getting braces on your teeth is almost a right of passage in today’s world, so much so that experts estimate that 4 million Americans are wearing them at any given time.
Traditional braces can be a nightmare, though. They’re unsightly, painful, and take years to woIsn’tsn’t there a better way to straighten your teeth with all of our modern medical technology?
3 Proven Ways to Straighten Teeth Without Braces
Thankfully, the answer is yes—there are quite a few alternatives to traditional braces. Read on to learn how to straighten your teeth without braces in three different ways.
1. Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are similar to the traditional metal variety, but with one significant difference: they’re glued to your teeth’ inside (lingual) surface, not the outside. This makes them an excellent option for people who need the correction of traditional braces but don’t want to be seen wearing them.
One primary concern about lingual braces is whether they will give them a lisp. Unfortunately, they will, at least at first. So too, will most other tooth straightening options—it’s the trade-off for not wearing regular braces.
If you have a severe overbite, you should probably skip this option. When you close your mouth, the likelihood of popping off brackets increases when your lower teeth sit far behind your upper ones; breaking brackets can lengthen your overall treatment time and damage your teeth, so if you have an overbite, consider the following options instead.
2. Retainers and Palatal Expanders
If the main problem with your teeth is overcrowding, a palatal expander could help. These devices sit on the roof of your mouth and gradually widen your palate at the turn of a key. This gives your teeth more room to spread out and straighten.
Palatal expanders aren’t comfortable, though, and are only used for severe cases of overcrowding. If your problem is minor, you might be able to get away with a retainer.
Can retainers straighten your teeth? Yes, but not very much—they’re usually intended to keep teeth straight after treatment. Clear aligners might be the answer if your problem isn’t bad enough to warrant a palatal expander but needs more than a retainer.
3. Clear Aligner Trays
Clear aligner trays are the most popular non-braces options for straightening teeth. This plastic tooth straightening option is removable and almost invisible to observers.
The most common option for aligner trays is Invisalign. The Invisalign process involves taking an impression of your teeth and using it to design a series of aligners that you’ll wear for a few weeks or months each. That is why it is imperative to select the best Invisalign treatment.
Wearing your Invisalign trays for at least 22 hours daily is necessary for them to work well. Taking your clear aligners out to brush your teeth, clean them, and eat would be best.
Which of These Methods Will You Use to Straighten Your Teeth?
If you want to straighten your teeth at home or aren’t keen on traditional metal braces, you still have plenty of options for treatment. Whether you should go with lingual braces, a retainer, or Invisalign depends on your unique dental needs. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be flashing a perfect smile shortly! If you need help determining your best option, visiting a general dentist in Harrisburg is a good start.
