Crooked teeth can not only mar the appearance of an individual but can also cause a host of oral and general health complications. For instance, crooked or misaligned teeth can hamper chewing and speaking. Improperly aligned teeth can cause food to get trapped between teeth, and this can lead to plaque building up and a host of other oral health complications. So you should immediately consult Dr. Farrow of Dr. Anthony Farrow Orthodontics in Mt. Airy, PA and learn about the best way for fixing crooked teeth.
Why Teeth may be Crooked?
A person’s teeth may be crooked for a variety of reasons. They may be misaligned from his childhood. A condition called tongue thrust or injury can cause teeth to become misaligned. Teeth usually shift as one grows older. But in case of some people, teeth shift more than what is normal and end up getting aligned haphazardly. Sometimes people do not wear the retainers prescribed to straighten misaligned teeth for the specified period of time and as a result, their teeth become crooked once more.
Different Methods of Fixing Crooked Teeth
The following methods of fixing crooked teeth are usually prescribed by dentists.
Tooth Reshaping
Tooth reshaping procedures are carried out in cases of minor misalignment issues. A dentist uses polishing and gentle abrasion techniques to correct minor imperfections like chips and make the teeth look more aligned.
Fixing Braces
Using braces is one of the most commonly-prescribed ways of fixing crooked teeth. Traditional metal braces made of high-quality stainless steel are considered more effective in correcting severe misalignment issues or to achieve results within a short period of time.
However, the advances in medical technology have led to dramatic evolution of braces as well. For instance, clear ceramic braces can be worn on the front of the teeth by those who do not want their braces to mar their smiles. On the other hand, concealed or lingual braces have brackets with which these can be fitted at the back of the teeth and so remain out of sight. Invisible braces or aligners are customized for every patient and so fit snugly inside a person’s mouth. These are clear braces and can be easily removed while eating, flossing, and brushing teeth.
In this context, it is worth mentioning that a patient might need to wear retainers for a certain length of time after removing the braces. The retainers keep the teeth in their newly-aligned places and not shift back to their original crooked position. The retainer is fitted on to the roof of the mouth with a metal wire running over the front teeth. Patients may choose to wear a clear wire that makes for a more aesthetic appearance.
Using Veneers
Using veneers is another way of fixing crooked teeth. In this method, the dentist shaves the tooth enamel and uses a piece of porcelain to cover the whole surface of the tooth. The porcelain used is of a durable quality but may need to be replaced after every 15 years or so.
Only a dentist can determine the best method of fixing crooked teeth for a particular patient. The choice depends on the specific layout of the person’s teeth and their lifestyle. For more information or to set up an appointment with Dr. Farrow please visit the Mt. Airy, PA office or call (215) 247-9060