A beautiful smile inspires self-confidence. People who have crooked or misshapen teeth often experience lower self-confidence levels. For many of them, braces offer the best option to correct a smile that is less-than-perfect. However, braces aren’t the only option for improving a smile. Here are four cosmetic dentistry options that make for a beautiful smile without braces.
Wear a Retainer
Braces move misaligned teeth from one position to another. However, for teeth that aren’t terribly crooked, retainers can also be used instead of brace to correct misalignment. Orthodontists will even tell former orthodontic patients to wear their old retainer if their teeth have gotten out of alignment. The retainer is form-fitted to the client’s mouth, so the act of wearing the retainer could move teeth back into place.
Use Clear Aligners
Nowadays, it’s possible to wear a clear aligner that will move the teeth just like braces will. Invisalign is a common clear aligner that an orthodontist might create for his or her patients. The orthodontist creates a clear aligner by making a casting of your teeth.
The aligner is made so that each rendition of it is slightly different from the tooth casting that it was created from. This difference is enough to move the teeth into a new position. Clear retainers are almost impossible to see, which is ideal for people who don’t want to wear a mouth full of metal.
Get Implants
If your teeth have severe issues, like a few are missing or have rotted out, a cosmetic dentist may suggest replacing your teeth with dental implants. To create a dental implant, the dentist will remove the tooth and then create a new “metal root.” A fake tooth is screwed onto the fake root and is meant to be a more permanent and durable replacement option. You can also get a bridge that gives you a full row of teeth with only 2 root implants.
Cover Your Teeth With Veneers
Veneers are basically cosmetic covering for the teeth. The dentist sands down the patient’s tooth enamel before adhering a veneer to the old tooth. The act of adding a veneer changes the appearance of the teeth, making them appear straight even if they weren't before. It’s a good, quick option for someone who doesn’t want to wear braces for two years.
Final Thoughts
If you have crooked teeth, you now have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to straightening them out. While braces remain a popular option, there are other options that don’t require a two-year time commitment.