How to Fix Crooked Teeth: 4 Ways to Get Straighter Teeth
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Table of Contents
- Four Key Facts
- How to Fix Crooked Teeth?
- Treating Without Braces
- Dangers of Keeping Crooked Teeth
- Treatment Options
- Fixing Crooked Teeth FAQs
- References
Even simple things like chewing or smiling can be a chore when your teeth don't fit together properly. The sooner you can improve your smile, the better.
In the past, there was just one way to fix crooked teeth. You'd walk into an orthodontist's office and walk out with metal brackets and wires on your teeth.
Now, you have plenty of options, including these:
- Braces
- Aligners
- Surgery
- Cosmetic procedures (like veneers)
The right choice for you will depend on your oral health, your goals, and your budget.
- Ninety percent of people have teeth that are at least slightly out of alignment. If your teeth don't look as straight as you'd like, you're not alone.
- Almost 90 percent of people 20 and older have experienced at least one cavity. Crooked teeth make cleaning tough, and that can lead to advanced decay.
- Almost 30 percent of people don't show their teeth when posing for photos due to their teeth. A crooked set of teeth doesn't always look good in photos.
- While fixing crooked teeth can help improve oral health and your smile, about 36 percent of adults are afraid of dental appointments. Their fears keep them away from solutions that could help.
How Can I Fixed Crooked Teeth?
Dental professionals have three main methods available to fix crooked teeth. During an assessment, your team can tell you which option seems right for your smile.
Option 1: Braces
Most people wear braces for 1 to 3 years, and they visit dental professionals in person for adjustments and checkups.
Braces come in many styles, such as these:
- Metal: Stainless steel brackets are attached to the front of your teeth and connected by wires and bands.
- Ceramic: Brackets are white, like your teeth, and they are connected to the teeth through wires and bands.
- Lingual: Brackets are glued to the back, not the front, of your teeth.
The wires are key to the success of braces. With each adjustment appointment, the shape and size of that wire changes, and it works like a tug on all of your teeth.
Your teeth are pulled by pressure on the bracket attached at either the front or the back of your teeth. Orthodontists can use rubber bands to help speed up the process, but the pressure still comes from brackets and wires attached to just one spot.
Options 2: Aligners
Aligners look like clear skins for your teeth. They slide right over your teeth and hold tight to the surface. Almost every inch of your teeth is wrapped in this cover, and the pressure comes from all sides.
You'll swap out trays for a new set with a slightly different tooth position every couple weeks. Over time, your teeth will gradually move into the desired placement.
If you're searching for the fastest way to straighten teeth, aligners are the clear winners. Treatment plans typically last for just a few months.
Aligners are so fast due to their design. The trays enclose your teeth completely, and the force comes from all sides. That consistent, wraparound pressure prompts teeth to adjust their position.
Some aligner companies also use proprietary technology that makes faster movement possible. Vibrating tools, for example, are thought to stimulate the cells responsible for tooth movement. Stimulating these cells allows the teeth to safely straighten faster.
Pros & Cons of Aligners
When you've been approved for teeth aligners, you have a decision to make. Examining the benefits and drawbacks of each solution can help you do what's right for your smile.
Braces and aligners differ in the following areas:
- Cost: On average, braces cost between $5,000 and $7,000, says Harvard Medical School. Some aligners come with a similar price tag. But direct-to-consumer aligners like Byte cost as little as $1,999. That's a significant savings.
- Appearance: Braces stay on your teeth throughout your treatment, and most brackets and wires are easy to spot. Aligners should also remain on your teeth almost all the time, but you can take them out for a critical appointment or conversation.
- Comfort: Braces can rub against the tongue and gums, and that metal-to-tissue contact can be painful. Aligners don't cause this sort of discomfort.
- Appointments: If you wear braces, you'll need to visit your orthodontist every 3 to 10 weeks. Some forms of aligners also require multiple office visits. But doctor-monitored at-home aligners come with no appointments at all, so you can straighten your smile without upsetting your schedule. Your aligners are mailed directly to your home.
Option 3: Surgery
Some people have severely crooked teeth that don't respond to aligners or braces. People like this may need corrective jaw surgery.
Orthognathic surgery (or jaw surgery) involves amending jaw or tooth alignment using surgical tools. Essentially, professionals break, contour, or otherwise manipulate the bones in your smile to fix how your teeth come together and align.
This is a significant surgery that comes with many risks, but for people who haven't gotten better through conventional methods, it can be a good choice.
Can I Fix Crooked Teeth Without Braces?
People with mild cases of crooked teeth may not need braces or aligners at all. Cosmetic techniques can cover up the problem and enhance the way your smile looks.
Cosmetic solutions for crooked teeth include the following:
- Veneers: Your dentist glues tooth-colored veneers to the front of your teeth.
- Bonding: Your dentist uses tooth-colored materials to close up gaps and make your teeth look straighter.
- Whitening: Your dentist uses gels to lighten up stains and make your teeth seem straighter.
Note that none of these methods change how your teeth fit together or in your jaw. But they can help your teeth to look a little better.
What are the Dangers of Keeping Crooked Teeth?
It's tempting to consider crooked teeth cosmetic problems. But as the American Association of Orthodontists points out, crooked teeth can lead to added wear, chipping, and tooth grinding. All of these issues can lead to pain, including migraines.
These are types of crooked teeth:
- Crowding: Brushing and flossing are tough, so your teeth wear down quickly.
- Excessive spacing: Food gets caught between your teeth, leading to advanced decay.
- Open bite: Your teeth don't come together properly, leading to chips and cracks.
- Overbite: Your teeth don't meet, leading to chipping and wear.
- Underbite: Your bottom teeth tap the tops, leading to enamel breakdown.
- Crossbite: Your uneven bite makes cleaning tough, and your teeth can chip and crack.
- Deep bite: Uneven wear leads to cracks and chipping.
- Protrusion: Your back teeth grind together, leading to advanced wear and decay.
Which Treatment Option Is Right for You?
The right solution for you varies depending on your oral health and dental condition.
- Mild issues: Consider cosmetic solutions. They won't fix the underlying problem, but your treatment will be complete within just a day or two.
- Moderate issues: Aligners offer the quickest way to straighten your teeth. Pick the right product, and you might also save money and have a more comfortable experience as your teeth move.
- Severe issues: If aligners don't work due to the severity or complexity of your teeth placement issues, traditional braces or surgery might be better options. While they may take longer and could potentially cost more, you'll be able to achieve the smile you want.
Take your time and investigate your options. Your smile is important. And this is a big decision you shouldn't take lightly.
Fixing Crooked Teeth Frequently Asked Questions
Your smile is important, and choosing the right solution for crooked teeth isn't always easy. These are common questions people often ask:
Can crooked teeth be fixed naturally?
How can you fix crooked teeth without braces?
How can I fix my crooked teeth at home?
What is the fastest way to fix crooked teeth?
How do I fix one crooked tooth?
How can I fix crooked teeth cheaply?
References
Why We Have So Many Problems With Our Teeth. (April 2020). Scientific American.
Cavities. (January 2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Study Shows Many People Hate Smiling. (June 2015). Dentistry Today.
Why Are People Afraid of the Dentist? Observations and Explanations. (July 2014). Medical Principles and Practice.
The Effects of Brief Daily Vibration on Clear Aligner Orthodontic Treatment. (December 2018). Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists.
Are You Too Old for Braces? Harvard Medical School.
Why Do Straight Teeth Matter? (August 2020). American Association of Orthodontists.
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