Hiding your smile due to embarrassment over crooked teeth? You may also be hiding additional dental problems that are often caused by teeth that are crooked and misaligned.
Why Straighten Crooked Teeth?
Crooked teeth can contribute to serious health problems including tooth decay and gum disease. Because it is often more challenging to brush and floss crooked teeth, food and plaque can become trapped between teeth. Even with the best daily care and routine visits to the dentist, build-up like this can cause tooth enamel to wear away and irritate the sensitive gum tissue. It can even lead to tooth decay if left untreated.
Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can also interfere with proper chewing or even speech. In addition, crooked teeth can cause tension to the teeth, jaws, and muscles. This often leads to headaches, teeth grinding, TMJ-related issues, and worn or broken teeth. TMJ treatment can be costly and time-consuming.
Straighten Teeth With Invisible Braces
Invisible braces are ideal for many adults because the aligners are virtually unnoticeable, removable, and straighten teeth in a relatively short period. Dr. Baldwin is an Invisalign provider and can create a personalized treatment plan with this highly effective clear aligner system that is convenient for adult patients seeking orthodontic treatment.
In addition to the esthetic and comfort advantages, invisible braces can offer a number of significant clinical benefits including:
- Improved gum and tooth health during treatment because of better oral hygiene
- No metal allergies due to brackets and wires
- More predictable treatment planning with Invisalign software
- Custom aligners tailored to fit your teeth precisely, for reduced irritation of the soft tissue of the mouth
- No food restrictions because you are able to remove them to eat
Straightening Teeth Without Braces
For patients who wish to avoid braces, Dr. Baldwin is an experienced cosmetic dentist and offers options such as cosmetic tooth bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.
Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is a simple procedure, typically completed in a single visit. Dr. Baldwin will apply a tooth-colored, biocompatible composite resin directly to the tooth. The composite material is sculpted into the proper shape and form, then “bonded” to the tooth using a special light. Little or no tooth preparation is needed for the dental bonding procedure. Dental bonding is the most economical choice for straightening crooked teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a great way to straighten teeth without the use of braces. Made of ultra-thin, translucent ceramic material, porcelain veneers have a highly aesthetic and natural appearance. Porcelain veneers cover the front and sides of teeth and can be used to address other cosmetic concerns such as gaps between teeth or discolored teeth.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth that is misshaped or crooked. Similar to a porcelain veneer, a dental crown covers the entire tooth rather than just the front or sides. Dental crowns are also used to treat teeth that have been badly damaged, cracked, or suffer from tooth decay.
Crooked Teeth FAQs
Can teeth become crooked with age?
Yes. As patients age, their teeth may become crowded causing them to shift and become crooked. As we age our bones lose density. This can cause patients’ jaw bones to gradually change shape, resulting in crowding and a crooked bite.
At what age is it too late to get braces?
It is never too late to get braces! Patients of any age have the option to correct a crooked bite with braces or clear aligners. Braces not only help the function of a patient’s bite, but they also give confidence to patients in their smiles.
Can crooked teeth cause problems?
Crooked teeth can cause excessive wear to the surfaces of teeth. They also may cause speech problems, TMJ, headaches, gum disease, and cracks in teeth.