Crooked teeth can mar the appearance of an otherwise healthy smile. Still, the alignment of the teeth can be corrected using traditional braces. However, the look of the crooked teeth can also be improved using other applications. Here are a few of them.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers do not realign the teeth. However, they can correct the appearance of dental misalignment. The devices can cover or conceal crooked teeth.
A dental veneer is a thin sliver of resin or porcelain that is shaped like the front of a tooth. The dentist prepares for the placement of a veneer by taking an impression of the mouth.
The impression is sent to a dental lab, where it is used as a guide during the fabrication of the veneer. As the veneer is being produced by the laboratory, the dentist prepares the tooth for the addition of the device by removing a small portion of the enamel from the front surface of the tooth.
The enamel is removed to allow the veneer to rest flush with the natural bite line. The enamel change is a permanent alteration of the teeth. Thus, the veneer cannot be removed without replacing the device with another veneer.
Multiple veneers can be used to cover the crooked teeth that are displayed as a person smiles or speaks. Still, each veneer is individually placed.
Clear Plastic Aligners
Clear plastic aligners can reposition teeth that are minimally or moderately misaligned. Like the dental veneers, aligners are created from an impression of the teeth.
The devices fit over the teeth like mouthguards and apply consistent pressure to coax the teeth into a more desirable position. The dentist prescribes multiple sets of aligners to treat the misalignment. The patient wears each set for two to three weeks and then moves to the next set of aligners in the treatment process.
The removability of the aligners offers multiple benefits, such as the ability to clean the teeth without the need to navigate around an orthodontic device and the option to eat without an appliance in the mouth. Still, the aligners are most suitable for patients who are responsible enough to wear the aligners regularly and for the majority of the day and night. The aligners should not be left out of the mouth longer than a couple of hours per day, or the treatment process could be significantly delayed.
To learn more ways to improve the look of crooked teeth, schedule an appointment with a dentist, like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA, in your local area.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!