Ready to improve your smile with teeth straightening? Here’s a comprehensive guide, including braces & Invisalign so you can make an informed decision on which is best for you.
What is teeth straightening?
Teeth straightening is a form of dental treatment that helps to reposition misaligned teeth and jaws, restoring them to their proper alignment. Teeth straightening treatments can improve the overall aesthetics of your smile by correcting crooked or crowded teeth, as well as create healthier conditions for effective brushing and flossing.
What causes crooked teeth?
So what causes crooked teeth? Crooked teeth can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, habits, misalignment of the jaw, trauma, poor oral hygiene, and age. Genetics play a role in determining the size and shape of the teeth and jaw. Certain habits, like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can also lead to crooked teeth. Misalignment of the upper and lower jaws can cause the teeth to come in crooked. An injury to the face or jaw may result in misaligned teeth as well. Poor oral hygiene can lead to shifts in teeth placement due to loss of teeth. Finally, changes in bone structure that occur with age may cause straight teeth to become crooked over time.
A dental professional can help determine what is causing your crooked teeth and recommend appropriate treatment options and we go into the some of the reasons why you would want to straighten crooked teeth below.
There are many reasons to get teeth straightened
5 reasons to get your teeth straightened
- To improve oral health – Teeth that are misaligned or crowded can be more difficult to clean, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. By straightening the teeth, it may be easier to keep them clean and healthy.
- To enhance appearance – Straight teeth can improve the overall appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence.
- To improve function – Teeth that are misaligned may not come together properly when you bite and chew, which can cause problems with biting.
- Can improve speaking – Sometimes patients experience an improvement in their ability to pronounce sounds that they we previously having difficulty with.
- A reduced risk of injury – Teeth that are misaligned or protruding are more prone to injury in sports and other physical activities. Straightening the teeth can reduce the risk of injury to the teeth and mouth.
Infographic of Dentist adjusting braces – All treatments for straightening teeth involve some time, effort and cost, so for some it will not be worth it.
Is it worth getting teeth straightened?
If you’re considering straightening your teeth, it’s important to understand that the advantages go beyond aesthetics. As can be seen above, straightening your teeth can not only help you achieve a more attractive smile, but also improve oral health and function.
Some of the potential benefits of straightening include improved ability to clean your teeth, increased self-confidence, improved biting and chewing functions, improved ability to speak clearly, and reduced risk of injury during physical activity.
Ultimately, whether or not getting your teeth straightened is worth it depends on your individual goals and needs – so be sure to consult with your dental professional for more advice.
What are my options for straightening my teeth?
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, there are a few traditional orthodontic treatments you can choose from. Options like metal braces and clear aligners, or Invisalign, are available to help adjust the position of your teeth. The treatment option that’s best for you would depend on your own specific needs and goals. It’s important to consult with a dental professional for personalised advice about the right choice for you. Below are some of the many options for teeth straightening:
Braces
Braces are the most common method of straightening teeth. They consist of metal brackets that are bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire. The wire is tightened periodically to apply pressure to the teeth and move them into the desired position.
Clear aligners (eg Invisalign)
Clear aligners are a type of orthodontic appliance that is made of clear, plastic material. They are custom-made to fit over the teeth and apply pressure to move the teeth into the desired position. They are a popular alternative to traditional braces because they are less visible. The most popular brand is Invisalign, which you can find more information on below.
Palatal expanders
A palatal expander is a custom-made appliance that fits over the roof of the mouth (palate). It is used to gradually widen the palate to create more space for the teeth. This can be helpful in cases where the teeth are crowded due to a narrow palate.
Orthodontic headgear
Orthodontic headgear is a type of external appliance that applies force to the teeth to move them into the desired position. It is typically worn for several hours each day and can be effective in correcting mild to moderate misalignment.
Retainers
A retainer is a custom-made appliance that fits over the teeth. Typically worn at night and can be used to maintain the position of the teeth after orthodontic treatment.
Dental splints
A dental splint is a custom-made appliance that fits over the teeth and helps to align them. Typically worn at night and can be effective in correcting mild to moderate misalignment.
Can I straighten my teeth without braces?
Looking for alternatives to traditional braces for straightening your teeth? Options like Invisalign, clear braces, lingual braces, self-ligating braces and retainers are all available. These various treatments can shift your teeth into their desired position, with some being virtually invisible.
What are the best natural ways to straighten teeth?
We have listed some of the best natural ways to straighten teeth below. However, it’s worth emphasising that these non traditional orthodontic treatment methods are generally not as effective as treatments such as braces, and may not be suitable for correcting severe misalignment.
- Correct habits – Some people may have habits that contribute to misalignment of the teeth, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. By correcting these habits, it may be possible to improve the alignment of the teeth.
- Do exercise – There are a number of facial and jaw exercises that may help to improve the alignment of the teeth. These exercises involve moving the jaw and facial muscles in specific ways to help realign the teeth.
- Adjust your diet – Some people believe that a diet rich in certain nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, can help to strengthen the bones in the jaw and improve the alignment of the teeth.
The most popular options to straighten teeth in the UK
If you are looking to improve the look of your smile, teeth straightening may be the answer. Below we provide an overview of braces and Invisalign—two popular methods for straightening teeth. Learn more about the differences between these treatments and which is best suited to your lifestyle and budget.
Invisalign orthodontic retainers have become one of the most popular treatments for teeth straightening
Invisalign
One of the latest and most popular techniques for straightening teeth on the market is Invisalign. A set of customized aligners are made for the patient. Teeth will gradually move in the direction suggested by the dentist or orthodontist as a result of the use of the trays over time. Although they are meant to offer the same benefit as conventional braces, Invisalign’s appearance and feel are noticeably different. The translucent plastic aligner trays are meant to gently fit over your teeth. The patient switches out their old aligner trays for a fresh set around every two weeks, repeating this process until their teeth are properly aligned.
Infographic showing the structure of metal braces
Braces
Traditional braces include brackets, archwire, and ligature elastic. Together, these components apply pressure on the teeth in a specific direction to move them into their correct locations over time. Metal braces, in contrast to the Invisible aligners alternative, feature some metal brackets and wires that are visibly present on the teeth. Although they are less aesthetically pleasing than other teeth-straightening options, they are frequently much less expensive. Average braces wear time for patients is two years, although actual wear time will vary based on the dentist’s recommendations. Braces are the most popular conventional treatment, but advances in materials and techniques have lead to improvements in patient satisfaction and results
Types of braces
- Metal Braces – Metal braces or ‘train tracks’ as they were unfairly nicknamed in the school yard are a proven method to straighten teeth.
- Ceramic braces – Ceramic braces are clear or tooth-coloured, so they blend in with teeth. Some even utilize wires that are tooth-coloured to blend in even further. They are more expensive than metal braces and move teeth significantly more quickly than Invisalign’s transparent plastic aligners. Ceramic brackets may crack and stain easily if not taken good care of.
- Lingual Braces – The only difference between lingual braces and conventional metal braces is that the brackets and wires are positioned on the inner side of the teeth, making them invisible to others. Two main cons with these braces are that they are difficult to clean and are more expensive and are not suitable for severe cases
The best time to get braces is when you are a teenager, but if you are an adult in most cases its the sooner the better
At what age should teeth be straightened?
When is the best age to get braces (orthodontic treatment) or teeth straightening? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that by age 7, an orthodontic evaluation should take place as most children at this stage have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, making certain problems easier to detect and correct. This type of treatment is known as ‘Phase I’ treatment which can help prevent more extensive treatment in the future. In the UK
In general, between the ages of 6 – 12 is the best time for correcting orthodontic issues due to it being during the phase of ‘mixed dentition’ when a child has both primary (baby) and permanent teeth with their jawbone still developing and growing and it’s easier to guide the growth and position of the permanent teeth.
Adolescence is also another common time for getting braces or straightening as permanent teeth have mostly come in but their jawbone is still growing and maturing. This stage can be ideal for correcting a wide range of orthodontic issues, including overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and misaligned teeth.
For adults, treatments can be done at any age and can be just as effective, but it might be more complex, taking more time and effort to achieve the desired results. Also, the condition of the bones and teeth can also play a role in the outcome and how long the treatment will take.
How do braces work for adults compared to children?
Although changing the position of the teeth is best done during childhood, more adults are choosing to receive orthodontic treatment and are very pleased with the outcomes. Thinking about getting orthodontic treatment to fix long-standing cosmetic or bite issues or to reverse the impact of tooth loss? These are a few things to keep in mind.
Adults might need more time to complete the process than a youngster or adolescent would. While the length of therapy varies from patient to patient, on average, braces are worn for roughly two years. Adults’ bones are no longer growing, hence surgery might be required to make some structural alterations. To make sure that bone loss brought on by gum disease does not affect your orthodontic treatment, you might need to see a periodontist in addition to your regular dentist and orthodontist if you are receiving orthodontic therapy.
How fast do braces work?
Braces start functioning immediately even though you might not see any noticeable changes for the first two to three months of treatment.
Your overall time in braces should, on average, be between 1.5-2 years. You may begin to see changes in the appearance of your teeth during that period as soon as four weeks after the fitting. The typical expectation is for two to three months, though.
How fast do Invisalign work?
The typical time it takes for transparent aligners like Invisalign to start working is around a year. The amount of tooth rotation or movement required will affect how long treatment with aligners takes. Typically, a course of treatment lasts between 10 and 24 months.
Hygiene & maintenance with braces & Invisalign
Hard, sticky and chewy food is to be avoided by individuals with braces, as it can get stuck in braces or debond your brackets.
There are no such dietary limitations with Invisalign as they’re removable.
Find out more on how to keep your braces and Invisalign in the best shape, here
Can I straighten my teeth on NHS?
Wondering if you can get your teeth straightened on the NHS? The answer depends on where you live and your individual circumstances. Orthodontic treatment is generally only available for children and young people under 18 years old who meet certain criteria. This includes those with severe dental problems that are impacting their overall health. The criteria may differ from place to place, so it’s important to speak with local healthcare professionals to find out what options are available to you. Adults may be able to access NHS treatment in cases of medical necessity, however the majority of orthodontic treatment will need to be paid for privately, which can be expensive. It’s best to discuss your options with a general dentist first before deciding how best to proceed.
What should I expect when seeing a dentist or orthodontist about teeth straightening?
Visiting a dentist or orthodontist for teeth straightening can be daunting for some, so we have listed the likely steps.
You should expect the dental professional to conduct a comprehensive assessment of your mouth, including taking x-rays and making impressions of your teeth. They will then discuss the various treatment options available with you and come up with a tailored treatment plan that outlines the steps involved in straightening your teeth and how long it is expected to take. Depending on the chosen treatment option, braces or another orthodontic appliance may be placed on your teeth during this visit or you may need to visit several times for adjustments. It’s important to follow their instructions for maintaining your oral health and your appliance in order to ensure the best results.