If your child is suffering from crowded teeth, you may think the only option is braces. But did you know there are several ways to straighten teeth without braces that are effective, inexpensive, and more comfortable?
If your child wants to avoid braces, choosing straightening options other than braces might be perfect for them. Call Kool Smiles today for a no-cost orthodontic consultation.
If your child has any of the following conditions, he or she may be able to get dental treatment that won’t require braces:
Braces are still the most common way to straighten teeth and are very effective if teeth are crowded. However, other alternative options can also work to straighten teeth.
If your child is suffering from any of the above problems, ask your child’s dentist or orthodontist whether braces is the best option.
If your child is interested in other ways of straightening teeth without braces, the following methods can achieve the same effect:
Invisalign uses clear aligners to slightly shift your teenager’s teeth, moving and rotating them when necessary. The cost of Invisalign treatment is similar to the cost of braces.
Meet with your dentist to map out a treatment plan specific to your child’s dental needs.
Retainers can be cemented (fixed) in place to prevent teeth from moving over time, or they can be removable.
Removable retainers are great for those that need straightening for cosmetic issues because the retainers can be removed whenever necessary.
Devices, like the Herbst appliance, can join upper and lower jaws properly and straighten teeth. Patients will typically wear these appliances for a year, allowing the jaw to shift into the correct position.
If your child has an excessive overbite, headgear might be necessary to put the jaw and teeth into the correct position.
These expanders can make the upper jaw wider to improve your child’s bite and allow more room for adult teeth to grow in.
Expanders are mostly invisible, but patients may feel some discomfort when they are adjusted.
Myobrace is a dental appliance that only needs to be worn for an hour or two nightly and can correct the causes of crooked teeth by aligning teeth.
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that fit over teeth and fill in gaps, cover crooked teeth, or fix misaligned teeth. Patients typically choose veneers to straighten their smile or brighten their teeth.
Note that veneers are an irreversible treatment, so consult with a dentist before choosing this option.
This process, also called tooth reshaping, involves removing small amounts of tooth enamel to reshape teeth that overlap or stick out.
Tooth contouring is relatively inexpensive, and is a painless procedure that improves the health of teeth and makes teeth look straighter.
A dentist or orthodontist can determine if any of these options are reasonable for your child. Many Kool Smiles offices offer orthodontic services, and our dentists or in-house orthodontists will be happy to discuss options with you.
We even offer no-cost orthodontic consultations.
Call Kool Smiles today or find a location near you to schedule an appointment for your child to learn more about the options for straightening teeth.
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Sources:
Colgate: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/early-orthodontics/article/sw-281474979332784
Colgate: http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/veneers/article/what-are-veneers-and-how-should-you-care-for-them-0814
Myobrace: http://www.myobrace.com/how-myobrace-works
WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers
Everyday Health: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/cosmetic-dentistry/tooth-reshaping.aspx
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