Crooked and misaligned teeth can impact an individual’s self esteem, preventing her from smiling. Fortunately, recent advances in dentistry have made it easier to have straighter teeth these days. Here is how to get your teeth straightened.

Traditional orthodontic braces can be expensive and take time to do their work; however, they yield the best results when it comes to aligning teeth and fixing overbites. These appliances also allow you to preserve your natural teeth.

Invisible braces offer another alternative for teeth straightening without the wires and brackets that standard braces require. These convenient, clear, plastic appliances straighten teeth by pushing them together. Although these devices will straighten teeth, they will not straighten an overbite. The cost is about the same as with traditional orthodontic braces.

Lingual braces are similar to traditional braces except that they are fitted to the backside of the teeth so they are not visible from the front. These braces are expensive and can be painful to wear. The major advantage is that they straighten teeth without anyone noticing.

Porcelain veneers offer a more instant option to teeth straightening. A coating or cap of porcelain is custom made to fit the shape and color of your natural teeth. Although this method will not actually straighten your teeth, the final result is that it gives the appearance of teeth that look straight. While the procedure can be expensive, your dentist will fill gaps, completing the process in just two or three visits.

Tips & Warnings

· Invisible braces typically are offered as an option only to adults, as it is difficult to properly fit children and teenagers for these kinds of braces while their bones still are growing.

· Porcelain veneers require preparation by your dentist, which may include removing some of the tooth structure.

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