Straightening Adult Teeth

    /24-7PressRelease/ - GOLDEN, CO, October 14, 2007 - Having crooked or misaligned teeth can certainly keep you from feeling your best. For most people, crooked teeth in childhood lead to braces, but braces are not always a permanent fix. Crooked teeth may return in adulthood as wisdom teeth grow in and push the other teeth out of alignment.

But looks aren't the only problem. Crooked, misaligned teeth can lead to tooth decay, problems with chewing, hard-to-clean gaps and other serious dental problems. Misaligned teeth can create painful biting and chewing, leading to Temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ), a painful and damaging condition of the jaw joints.

Of course, the motivation for most people to fix a crooked smile begins with the desire for a beautiful smile. Straightening your teeth boosts self-esteem, helping you to be a more productive person, parent, friend, and co-worker. Whereas children and teens would not feel strange wearing braces when so many of their peers are doing the same, adults can feel socially awkward with braces on their teeth. Fortunately, a number of new solutions are available: clear braces, Invisalign, crowns, and veneers. These give you the opportunity to have the smile you always dreamed about.

Invisalign

If you've ever seen or worn a retainer, you'll easily understand how Invisalign works. Using a series of clear (see-through) aligners, Invisalign gradually moves your teeth into a straight position. This process can take from six months to two years, with each aligner being used for two weeks before it is replaced with the next aligner.

Your dental professional will take impressions of your teeth and use computer imaging to create precise positioning for the aligners. Each aligner will be applying pressure slightly differently, on different teeth, or in different directions. You can take the aligners out any time, for eating and cleaning, or for special occasions. But they should be worn at least 22 hours each day for optimum results. Slowly but surely they'll move your teeth into well-spaced and even alignment.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are fast, so if you're looking for a quick fix, they may be the right solution for you. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the front of your tooth to give it a new surface, and perhaps also a new shape, with a natural look and feel. Veneers can cover small imperfections, make teeth look straight, cover chips, crack and gaps, and work double duty as whiteners. If your teeth look crooked because of small gaps and chips or uneven sizing, porcelain veneers may be a better option than straightening.

When considering your options, think about your ultimate goal. Do you want to correct misalignment or simply have teeth that appear straight? Invisalign is a more long-term commitment, but produces perfectly straight teeth when the aligners are worn properly. If you combined it with whitening and crowns, you'll have a truly dazzling smile. But it does require an investment of both time and money and for some this is not appropriate. Veneers can give the appearance of straight teeth, but your dental professional can evaluate whether your degree of crookedness is too great to consider veneers.

Consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist, such as Dr. Michael Iott to determine the solution that works best for you. With the many treatment options available, your dream of achieving a beautiful smile is close than ever!

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