Understanding your Options for Straightening Crooked Teeth

Through cosmetic dentistry, achieving a beautiful smile isn’t as difficult as you may think. People with crooked or misaligned teeth have numerous orthodontic options for straightening their smile and improving its appearance. Working with an experienced orthodontist like Dr. Mary Taudel from Park Avenue Dental in New York, New York, is vital to the success of your treatment and achieving the smile of your dreams.

What Options Do You Have to Straighten Your Teeth?  

Straightening crooked teeth improves not only your smile’s aesthetics but also its functionality. You can also expect improved oral health and a boost in confidence and self-esteem! How you achieve your smile goals is also important, as it will impact your motivation to complete your treatment. Depending on the problems that need to be addressed, your treatment may take one or more years. Knowing what to expect will help you choose wisely and get optimal results from your procedure. 

Here are some of the most common orthodontic options for straightening crooked teeth:

1. Traditional Braces – Traditional metal braces have been used for years to straighten crooked teeth with great success. They can correct all kinds of orthodontic issues, ranging from severely crooked or misaligned teeth to bite problems, gaps between teeth, and overcrowding. Your dentist will attach metal brackets and wires to your teeth and adjust the wires periodically to gently shift your teeth into a straighter position. However, there are drawbacks to this system. The braces can’t be removed for the duration of your treatment, affecting what you can eat and dental hygiene. The wires can irritate your gums and cheeks. Additionally, you’ll flash metal whenever you open your mouth, which can be awkward for a young adult or teen. Today, you can substitute ceramic braces for metal ones, which are less conspicuous.
2. Lingual Braces – If discretion is important to you, lingual braces may be more to your liking. These braces are attached behind your teeth, where they’re never seen. They achieve the same results as traditional braces but won’t distract from your appearance.
3. Invisalign Clear Aligners – Invisalign replaces brackets and wires with a series of clear, plastic aligners to straighten your teeth. These aligners are customized to fit snugly and comfortably over your teeth. When worn, they gently push crooked teeth into alignment, giving your smile an attractive appearance. You’ll change aligners every two weeks to continue the straightening process. Invisalign aligners are hardly noticeable on your teeth, making your treatment more discreet. They can be removed for eating and dental hygiene for greater convenience. They can also correct many of the same problems as traditional braces, making them a great alternative to braces for straightening crooked teeth. After a dental evaluation, Dr. Taudel can determine if Invisalign is the best option for making your dream smile come true. 

Teeth Straightening Near Me

To learn more about Invisalign or other orthodontic treatments, contact Dr. Mary Taudel from Park Avenue Dental in New York, NY, at (646) 588-1704.

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