While it is possible for teeth to come in completely straight, it’s even more common to have crooked teeth. Wanting to fix crooked teeth can be purely for aesthetic reasons, but there can also be some medical implications in regard to your overall oral health. It’s often best to straighten crooked teeth, but the traditional method of braces can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and, worst of all, exceedingly expensive.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can fix your crooked teeth without braces with a more convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective method.
At Luminae, we believe everyone should be able to straighten their teeth no matter their lifestyle or preferences. With the many innovations that have been made in the field of dentistry and orthodontics, individuals looking for a straighter smile no longer need to rely on traditional braces.
Benefits of Straightening Crooked Teeth
Straightening crooked teeth serves both aesthetic and medical benefits. On the aesthetic side, straightening crooked teeth can help you feel more confident in your smile and willing to share it.
The medical benefits of straightening your teeth, though not immediately apparent, are far more extensive. Depending on how crooked your teeth are, you may have trouble keeping them clean with regular brushing because of overlap and crowding. Straightening those crowded teeth can make them easier to brush, preventing issues like cavities, gingivitis or gum disease, and enamel erosion.
Additionally, teeth that suffer from crossbite or overbite can also experience structural issues due to grinding and other unfavorable contact. Structural issues may also include cracked or chipped teeth from grinding, as well as TMJ or issues with your temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which causes joint pain within the jaw and can lead to headaches. Straightening crooked teeth can alleviate these problems and contribute to the overall longevity of your teeth.
Can You Fix Crooked Teeth At Home?
You should not try to fix your crooked teeth at home, and any home remedies for crooked teeth are incredibly unlikely to work. Not only will a home remedy not work, but it’s dangerous and could cause more problems. Home remedies are strongly advised against by medical professionals.
Attempting to straighten your teeth without traditional braces and the help of a dentist or orthodontist could result in severe complications, including but not limited to:
- Structural damage
- Cracked teeth
- Oral infection
- Tooth decay
- Headaches
- Jaw dysfunction
At Luminae, we understand that braces may not be the best option for everyone, so we provide an option that avoids these complications from home remedies while still providing the straight smile you desire.
Best Alternative to Braces
Invisalign
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a revolutionary form of teeth straightening technology that can improve the appearance of your crooked teeth without the need for traditional braces. Using a series of clear plastic aligners, Invisalign adjusts your teeth to create a straight smile over time. Whether you require a small change or a major shift, Invisalign does it all with minimal discomfort and often in less time than regular braces.
Benefits
One of the primary benefits of Invisalign is its discretion. Instead of wearing metal brackets and wires in your mouth, Invisalign uses clear plastic that sits over your crooked teeth, similar to a retainer. This makes Invisalign practically unnoticeable in your mouth, allowing you to wear it in public without feeling any insecurity.
Invisalign also gives you much greater freedom in regard to what you can eat and drink compared to traditional braces. Because you can remove the plastic aligners at any time, you’re free to eat things like apples, gummy foods, popcorn, and all of the other foods you’re restricted from eating while wearing normal braces.
The level of comfort granted by Invisalign is also unmatched. The plastic aligners cause significantly less discomfort than the metal and sharp wires used in regular braces. You’ll barely feel the aligners as they sit in your mouth, and the sensation of your teeth shifting over time will feel less painful than braces.
Cost
Traditional braces can cost anywhere from $1,800 to $5,500, depending on the state of your teeth. The cost of Invisalign is a bit more expensive, typically ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 based on the complexity of your case. You can often offset the cost through insurance coverage. With the benefit easier eating, cleaning, brushing, and flossing, many find the added cost worth it.
Treatment Timeline
Depending on how crooked your teeth are, Invisalign treatment can be completed in as little as six months. No matter how long your total treatment timeline is projected to be, you’ll be able to enjoy changes to your smile in just a few weeks. In comparison, braces take, on average, two years to fix crooked teeth.
Results
As your Invisalign treatment progresses, you’ll be able to notice gradual improvements in the appearance of your crooked teeth. By the time your treatment comes to an end, you’ll have a completely straight smile that you can be happy with every time you look in the mirror. And so long as you continue to wear a retainer after treatment, you’ll be able to enjoy these results indefinitely.
Schedule a Consultation with Luminae
Led by Dr. Phong Tran Cao D.D.S, the dedicated staff at Luminae is here to help you fulfill all of your orthodontic needs so you can live life with a beautiful smile and overall appearance. If you’re ready to fix your crooked teeth and get a straight smile without the hassle of braces, call Luminae to learn more about Invisalign and schedule a consultation.
