Straightening Crooked Teeth

If your crooked teeth cause you to smile a tight-lipped smile, consider one of the following options:

Braces. Braces work by putting pressure on your teeth to shift them into a more attractive position. Ask your dentist for referral to an orthodontist, who can discuss which of the many types of braces is right for you. Often, braces come in the form of metal, plastic or ceramic brackets glued to the front of the teeth. These brackets hold a tightening wire in place. The wire is in the shape your orthodontist wants to see your teeth. Once threaded through the brackets, this wire tries to get shift into shape, and moves your teeth along with it. These wires are tightened once a month for a period of up to two and a half years, depending on the severity of your condition. Of these three types of braces, ceramic brackets are the least noticeable, as their translucent colour allows them to blend in with the natural teeth colour. Lingual braces are a similar, even less visible option—the brackets are glued to the back of your teeth. Once the braces come off, you will likely have to wear a retainer for a few months to keep your teeth from shifting. Note that orthodontists will sometimes request that teeth be pulled in order to create room for the newly-straightened teeth to sit into.

Invisalign. A newer and costlier option is Invisalign, a series of plastic, transparent, removable aligners that squeeze the teeth tightly into place. Like braces, Invisalign shifts your teeth into a straighter position. Note that Invisalign might not work for more complex cases. Ask your dentist if this option will work for you.

Accelerated orthodontics. If you want fast results and can stand a little pain, ask your dentist about accelerated orthodontics. A team of dental specialists will perform a combination of orthodontic and periodontic work to get you the smile you want—fast. The process takes about six months, a quarter of the time it takes for traditional orthodontics. Most often, this form of orthodontics requires you to wear lingual braces. Note that some dental insurance policies will not cover the cost of this procedure.

Porcelain veneers. Your dentist can cover your existing teeth with veneers, or thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of your teeth to create a natural-looking and beautiful smile. Your dentist will first shave part of your teeth to make room for the veneers and use a mold of your teeth to create veneers. Your teeth will not only be straighter, but whiter.

Tooth Contouring & Reshaping. One of the few instant and inexpensive procedures cosmetic dentistry offers. This "sculpting" process usually involves a combination of scraping off a portion of the existing tooth enamel and replacing it with bonding or a veneer. Your cosmetic dentist will remove a small amount of enamel using a drill or laser, sculpt the sides of your teeth with abrasive strips, and polish your tooth.