Crooked teeth can spoil your smile, hamper your speech, and cause several other problems. In some cases, misaligned teeth can even lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. Many Texans also face these problems but don’t know which procedure they should go for.
While solutions like Invisalign Duncanville, TX, can be suitable for minor misalignment cases, severely crooked and misaligned teeth require more subtle solutions.
Dental procedures to fix crooked teeth
When teeth grow in an abnormal way they can rotate, lean towards other teeth, or come out at steeper angles and cause dental misalignment, also known as crooked teeth. Crooked teeth can be caused due to genetics, childhood habits like thumb sucking, diet, poor dental hygiene, and missing teeth.
However, your dentist may opt for one of the following procedures to fix your crooked teeth.
- Clear aligners: Clear aligners have the least drawbacks as compared to other teeth straightening procedures. They’re barely visible and quickly align your teeth without causing complications. However, they’re not suitable if one has gum disease, severe overcrowding, or peg-shaped teeth.
- Dental braces: Dental braces are the most common treatment a dentist may opt for correcting misaligned teeth. Dental braces consist of metal bands placed on the backside of the teeth with a wire placed in them. The wire runs through metal squares, called brackets, which are placed on each tooth. The entire setup works to shift the teeth into the correct position gradually.
- Dental bonding: The dental bonding procedure uses a tooth-colored resin, which is applied to the tooth to improve its appearance. While the procedure is commonly used to repair chipped teeth and fix gaps, it can also make your teeth look straighter.
- Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are thin shells that can fit over your teeth surface and enhance the shape, size, and color of your teeth. The dentist may remove a thin layer of enamel to place the veneer using a strong dental adhesive.
- Orthodontic surgeries: In severe cases, your dentist may straight opt for orthodontic surgery to correct the dental alignment issues. The entire procedure, from surgery to recovery, can take up to 2 to 3 weeks, while the swelling can last even longer.
Why get your crooked teeth fixed?
Here’s why it’s a good idea to resolve crooked teeth issues.
- Crooked teeth are difficult to clean, which is why problems like tooth decay, plaque, and gum diseases are more common in people with crooked teeth. Fixing crooked teeth can help you get rid of these problems and improve your overall dental health.
- Moreover, crooked teeth are more prone to protrude, which makes them more vulnerable to injuries. Fixing them can reduce your risk of such injuries.
- Crooked teeth can also cause severe headaches, jaw pain, and neck pain due to uneven bite pressures. You can get rid of these problems by fixing crooked teeth.
- Besides, straighter teeth can significantly enhance your appearance and smile, resulting in enhanced self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Fixing crooked teeth can also improve your biting and speaking capabilities while also reducing the risk of sleep apnea.
Taking care of your teeth after the dental procedure
While a dental procedure can help you fix crooked teeth, you must follow good oral hygiene to keep your teeth free from other dental issues.
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day using a soft bristle toothbrush.
- Floss your teeth once every day to remove food particles to prevent plaque buildup.
- Rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash to maintain good enamel health.
- Avoid hard, sticky, chewy, crunchy, sugary, and acidic foods after the procedure.
- Don’t chew on objects like pens, straws, nails, etc.
- Take your medications on time.
- Drink plenty of fluids and have sufficient rest for quick healing.
Final takeaway
Crooked teeth can cause various oral problems that can also have psychological impact. Therefore, to keep your dental and emotional health in optimal shape, you must get your crooked teeth fixed. While several procedures can help you realign your teeth, only a professional and experienced dentist can give you the desired results.