Choosing the Right Teeth Straightening Option for Me

Smiling is one of the most natural and healthy things a person can do, and while some of us may feel self-conscious about it because of our teeth, there is hope in choosing a teeth straightening technique that works for you. When your teeth are straighter, you have more confidence, and you chew your food better, and this improves your quality of life.

In addition to wanting your front teeth straight for an attractive smile, your rear teeth can benefit from being straight as well. Rear teeth do most of the chewing, and when they are out of alignment, they may chip or break, which can send you to the dentist looking for repairs. By straightening your teeth now, you will likely avoid dental bills in the future. Because straight teeth are so important, it prompts a lot of people to ask their dentist what the best teeth straightening option is for them.

Braces

If your teeth are severely crooked, your dentist may suggest braces. When we think of braces, we often think of kids in their early teens, and while that is the age group that most often gets them, braces can also help adults at any age. When you wear braces, you have brackets that grip each of your teeth, and they are all attached by an archwire that puts pressure on them to eventually give you straight teeth. As your teeth realign themselves, your jawbone grows around them, leaving you with lasting effects so that you should never need braces again.

There are three general kinds of braces to choose from. There are the traditional metal ones, ceramic braces that are a little less obvious and lingual braces that fit onto the back of your tooth so that people will not see them working their magic of teeth straightening. If you are considering braces, it would be best to talk with your dentist about which of the three would be best for you.

Retainer

Once your braces come off, your dentist may suggest you wear a retainer for a few months. The job of a retainer is to hole your now straightened teeth in place so that they do not slide back. A retainer is not needed by everyone who gets braces, and it is one more thing to discuss with your dentist.

Palatal expander

If your teeth are mostly crooked at the top, it may be because they are crowded together. If this is the case, your dentist may suggest a palatal expander because it widens your upper jaw just a little each day so that your teeth have more room to fit together. Another reason for a palatal expander is if you have a crossbite where your upper teeth align on the inside of your lower teeth. In this case, a palatal expander can realign your bite.

A palatal expander is made of two parts that press up against your upper molars on either side to widen your upper jaw. The two parts meet up in the middle with a screw that you turn a little each day to further expand your jaw. 

Request an appointment here: https://metrosmiles.com or call Metro Smiles Dental at (718) 841-9591 for an appointment in our Forest Hills office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Teeth Straightening in Forest Hills, NY.