A beautiful smile can open many doors for you. Research shows that people who have a beautiful and charming smile are perceived as more approachable, friendly and successful. This is also why celebrities are so attractive and beautiful. But, did they naturally have perfectly aligned teeth? Most of them did not. But thanks to their dentists, they now have picture-perfect smiles.
If you have crooked or misaligned teeth that are ruining your smile, then you can also benefit from the power of cosmetic dentistry. When it comes to getting your teeth straightened, you have several options to choose from – each having its own merits and demerits. This article explains everything you need to know about getting your teeth aligned.
How Do Braces Work On Crowded Teeth?
Dental braces are one of the most effective and time-tested methods of straightening misaligned teeth. Your orthodontist will bond a bracket to the front surface of each tooth using an adhesive. Each bracket contains a slot, through which an orthodontic wire passes and exerts pressure on the teeth. The tension in the orthodontic wire is transferred to the tooth roots, which results in their realignment.
When you visit your dentist for checkup appointments, your dentist will adjust the orthodontic wire tension by changing its thickness or the type of wire. This is why you feel slight pain and discomfort for a few days after an orthodontic appointment. As your teeth continue to move in the desired direction, the discomfort gradually goes away.
Will My Teeth Move Back If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?
Once your teeth have been optimally aligned, your dentist will give you a fixed or a removable retainer. According to the National Health Service (NHS), a retainer is an appliance that prevents your teeth from moving back to their previous position. Retainers are “passive” appliances, implying that they do not exert any force on your teeth or cause any tooth movement.
Instead, the retainers are designed in a way that they simply prevent any unwanted tooth movement – and consolidate your treatment. They also ensure that your teeth and jaws adjust to your new bite.
When Do Teeth Start To Straighten With Braces?
Your teeth will start to realign as soon as you get your braces. Generally, orthodontists start by applying very gentle forces to your teeth so that you can get used to the new braces. So, initially, you may not feel any significant improvement.
However, after one or two appointments, you will start to observe a remarkable improvement in your smile and tooth alignment. In fact, the pain and discomfort your feel during your treatment, especially after an orthodontic appointment, is an indication that your teeth are moving within the bone. However, you don’t always feel pain while your teeth change their position or angulation.
How Long Do Braces Take To Straighten Teeth?
The duration of your treatment with teeth braces depends on various factors – the most important being the severity of your problem. Typically, dentists can treat mild orthodontic issues within 6-8 months with braces, Sometimes in only a couple of months with fast orthodontic braces.
However, more complex cases may take longer – sometimes requiring 12-18 months for completion, most Invisalign cases take this long. Another factor which directly affects the duration of treatment is patient compliance.
Patients who frequently get their braces dislodged from their teeth, Or take their removal appliance out often need to undergo treatment for a longer period. Finally, it also depends on the skills of your treating dentist. That is why you should always go to a qualified and experienced Dentist for your treatment.
Do Braces Move Your Teeth Every Day?
Yes. As long as you have an orthodontic wire attached to your braces, it will continue to exert pressure on your teeth. However, as time passes, and your teeth start to move, the tension in the wire decreases.
That is why your orthodontist calls you for checkup appointments after every two weeks – to ensure that the orthodontic wire is tight enough to apply just the right amount of pressure on your teeth. Some orthodontic wires are designed to ensure initial alignment of your teeth, while others are designed to perform bulk tooth movement.
Your dentist may also use other attachments, like elastics, chains, or mini-implants, to perform complicated movements like rotation or angulation.
If you are wearing clear orthodontics such as Invisalign, the same principle applies, however rather than tightening a wire you will receive the new apligner which then begins to put pressure on your teeth to move them again.
Can You Make Home-made Braces to Straighten Teeth?
If you search the internet, you can find several DIY options to straighten your teeth. While these DIY options seem like a convenient and cost-effective alternative to orthodontic treatment with braces but have to consider whether they are safe – or whether they will prove effective in the long run?
Let’s think of it in this way – would you try to search on the internet for a DIY option to fix a fractured limb? Obviously not! So, you should use DIY options to fix your tooth misalignment – especially when your teeth are an essential element of your smile and more importantly, and they help you in eating and speaking?
These DIY options may seem to work initially, but they may actually do more harm than good when it comes to your oral health, says the Washington Post.
Now comes the next question; How to find a good orthodontist in Watford? Fret not! We have got you covered. Senova Dental Studios takes pride in having a dental team consisting of some of the finest orthodontists in town.
We don’t just aim to fix your smile, but we will prepare a customised treatment plan for you to get a perfectly balanced bite and a pair of perfectly aligned teeth that allow you to eat and speak without difficulty. Our holistic approach ensures long-term treatment of the underlying problems – not just the symptoms.
So, are you ready? Don’t worry if you cannot visit us due to the lockdown, simply visit our website here to book a free video consultation – and let us take care of the rest!
A beautiful and attractive smile awaits you at Senova Dental Studios.
A graduate of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Dental school, Dr Padayachy has been a dentist at the award winning Senova Dental Studios in Watford since 1998 focusing on comprehensive restorative and cosmetic dentistry.
Jay has previously been the president of The London Dental Fellowship.
He has been a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry since its inception and serves on the Credentialing committee. Jay has lectured widely on all aspects of cosmetic dentistry, dental photography and comprehensive care.
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