If you have crooked teeth as an adult, you might be worried there’s nothing you can do to get that perfect movie-star smile without braces. While they are very effective in aligning teeth and correcting all sorts of bite issues, braces will also make you look like a middle school student. You can’t really be taken seriously at your corporate job while looking like a teen! Luckily, braces are not your only choice! There are ways you can fix your smile as an adult without ugly braces.
Disclaimer!
While you might be searching for quick and easy ways to fix your teeth at home using some unproven measures, orthodontic care is a serious matter that should never be practised by anyone without a license. Taking things into your own hand is neither safe nor effective. Before trying anything, make sure to consult with an orthodontist who will establish the right treatment for you and help you get the smile you want and deserve.
Braces-free solutions
Now that you know not to mess with your teeth alone, we can start discussing some braces-free solutions for you to consider. There are a few ways you can skip braces, retain your professional image and still end up with straight teeth:
Retainers
There are several types of retainers (fixed or removable) but most of us are familiar with Hawley retainers. This removable and completely customized device is made by combining metal wires and acrylic materials. They can be removed to brush your teeth, floss and eat, but they tend to be noticeable while you wear them.
Appliances
Appliances are devices used to correct jaw imperfections that contribute to malocclusions (crooked teeth). These appliances are very visible and also require quite some time in order to bring visible results. Both retainers and appliances are effective, but they are still visible when you laugh or speak which can still affect your image and create insecurities.
Invisalign
The third and probably the best braces-free way of fixing teeth is something called Invisalign. This option uses clear plastic to straighten teeth in a way that’s almost completely invisible. It’s a great option for people who have highly public jobs or come in contact with many people and would like to keep their teeth straightening process under wraps.
How Invisalign works?
The way Invisalign fixes crooked teeth is both simple and complicated at the same time. When you get fitted for your retainers, your expert will take molds of your teeth and create aligners custom made to fit your mouth and your teeth. Since this is a complicated process that requires plenty of knowledge and experience, make sure to choose the right expert. For instance, Australia is one of the leading countries in Invisalign and you can find excellent dentists, plus the Invisalign cost in Sydney is very reasonable. For your money, you get completely customized aligners made using advanced 3D imaging and a precise treatment plan for you. Each set of aligners (for both your upper and lower teeth) is designed to be worn around two weeks.
The way the treatment goes is as follows: the aligners are meant to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day (you can remove them while eating and brushing). Every aligner only moves the teeth a little bit, so you have to change it. When you put your new pair, they will feel a bit tight. Once they start feeling loose, they need to be replaced with the next pair. This makes it very important to wear aligners in order in which your dentist prescribed. Once you go through all your aligners, your teeth will most likely look perfectly straight!
As your teeth get into place slowly and gradually, you will start to see the results of your treatment in just a few short months. The entire treatment with Invisalign usually starts between 6 and 24 months, while it’s mostly over in one year. Most dentists recommend retainers to be worn at night in order to maintain your new, perfect smile.
Additionally, you might need occasional checkups with your dentist during your treatment process. In some cases, these appointments can even be held over Skype, which means Invisalign is very convenient for even the busiest of people.
As you can see, you don’t have to live with your crooked smile forever. Thanks to some modern solutions, you can straighten your smile without anyone ever knowing!
