In today’s society there are two major qualities considered to be part of a beautiful smile; the teeth have to be white and straight. While it is easier to keep them white with the variety of products available over the counter and simple procedures offered by dentists, keeping them straight is another story. There are no easily obtained at home methods for straightening teeth. Tooth straightening requires a dentist or orthodontist.
One of the newest and most popular methods: Invisalign
If a patient has severely crooked or misaligned teeth, the dentist may recommend Invisalign. Using precise measurements, a series of durable plastic trays are tailored made. They look like clear mouth guards or teeth whitening trays, but they fit flush against your teeth and are hard to see. Each treatment with Invisalign involves wearing a specific tray every day for a period of weeks or months. This process will gradually shift the teeth into place. Part of what makes the system so popular is that in addition to not easily being noticed, it is comfortable and convenient to wear. Nationwide availability makes getting Invisalign in Chicago as simple as finding a qualified dentist or orthodontist.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets, wires, bonding material, and elastic bands that create a framework to put tension on teeth and gradually pull them into proper alignment. They are not the most aesthetically appealing option for straightening teeth, and they can take two or more years to produce desired results. Adjustments have to be made periodically while wearing them and extreme attention to oral hygiene needs to be taken while they are in place as well. Despite their lack of popularity, some people employ a bit of creativity in the wiring and bonding material to make a rather unique statement if they have to select this option for one reason or another.
Minor Corrections
People whose teeth are not too far out of alignment, or are just a bit irregular, can opt for reshaping. Minor gaps, overlapping, and irregular shapes can be fixed painlessly in a visit or two using reshaping methods. Dentists can file, re-sculpt, and fill minor gaps using a combination of contouring and bonded resin. Of any straightening procedure, the combination of shaping and bonding tends to be the quickest for people who only have minor overlapping or irregular teeth.
If you are interested in finding a dentist that can provide Invisalign in the Chicago area, Lincoln Park General and Cosmetic Dentistry can help.
