It’s never too late to get your teeth aligned. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) states that 25 percent of orthodontic patients are now adults. Straightening your teeth can help improve your mouth function, overall oral health, and appearance. This article will discuss the types of misaligned teeth, the problems they cause, and the benefits of straightening them. It will also discuss the different teeth alignment methods.
Types of Misaligned Teeth
Misaligned teeth can be divided into four categories. Here they are with the problems they can cause. These are the reasons why they need to be straightened.
Overbite
The top teeth overlap the bottom teeth too much. This may cause wear on the enamel of the lower teeth. It can also lead to gum problems when the edge of the lower teeth hit the upper gums.
Underbite
The bottom teeth protrude past the front teeth. This can cause wear on the enamel of the upper teeth and may make it difficult to speak or chew properly. It can also lead to gum problems if the upper teeth hit the lower gums and because the protruding teeth are more difficult to clean.
Crossbite
This occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not meet evenly in the middle. This type of misalignment can cause pain in your jaw and damage your bite over time. It makes chewing difficult. It can also lead to gum disease because uneven teeth are difficult to clean.
Open bite
An open bite is when there is a space between the biting surfaces of the top and bottom teeth when they come together. This can make it difficult to bite into food, chew food properly and speak clearly. It may also lead to gum problems because the spaces between the teeth are difficult to clean.
Benefits of Teeth Straightening
No matter what age you are now, you can still correct your misaligned teeth. There are several benefits to doing so.
Better Functionality
Misaligned teeth can cause problems with chewing and speaking. When you have misaligned teeth, you may be self-conscious about your smile or the way you speak. This can lead to a lack of confidence. By correcting the alignment, you can eliminate these issues. You can now enjoy the better overall function of your teeth.
You can eat what you want. Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Not being deprived boosts your quality of life. This also has a positive impact on your health. You can smile freely and speak with confidence. This can make you feel better about yourself. It can also improve the advancement of your career.
Improved Oral Health
Misaligned teeth are difficult to clean properly. When food debris is caught and left between the teeth, it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
By correcting the alignment, you make your teeth easier to keep clean. You will be able to brush and floss more easily, leading to better oral health overall.
Enhanced Appearance
Misaligned teeth are unsightly. They can also distort your face. The most obvious benefit of straightening your teeth is your enhanced appearance.
A straighter, more aligned smile is simply more attractive than a crooked one. If you want to improve your appearance, this is a great way to do it. Straight teeth can give you a more polished look. This can boost your confidence in both personal and professional settings.
Types of Braces
Misaligned teeth are corrected through the use of braces or aligners.
Metal Braces
Traditional braces are made of metal. They are the most visible type of braces and are usually associated with children and teens. Because of the metal and the wires, they can cause irritation, mouth sores, and pain.
Metal braces are the strongest and most durable, though. They are less likely to break than other types of braces. They straighten teeth in an average of 12 months.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of clear or tooth-colored brackets. They are less visible than metal braces but more visible than aligners. They also have thin wires, though, that are made of metal and these can cause sores.
Ceramic braces are not as strong as metal braces and break more easily. They may require more frequent adjustments and take longer to straighten teeth than metal braces, with an average of 18 months. They are also more expensive than metal braces.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are placed on the back of your teeth, making them invisible from the front. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and can be more difficult to adjust to than other types of braces.
They also require more frequent adjustments and take longer to straighten teeth, with an average of 24 months. Lingual braces are the most expensive type of braces.
Self-Ligating Braces
Self-ligating braces are made of metal or ceramic. They have brackets that hold the wire in place without the use of rubber bands. This can make them more comfortable than traditional braces.
They are also smaller and less visible than traditional braces. Self-ligating braces take the same amount of time to straighten teeth like traditional braces, with an average of 12 months.
Power Chain Braces
Power chain braces are made of metal or ceramic. They have brackets that are connected by a power chain. The power chain applies pressure to your teeth to help move them into place. They take the same amount of time to straighten teeth like traditional braces, with an average of 12 months.
Clear Aligners
Clear Invisalign trays are an alternative to traditional braces. They are made of clear plastic trays that fit over your teeth and are nearly invisible when worn. Invisalign is more comfortable than traditional braces because there are no metals and wires that can cause gum irritation or mouth sores.
In addition, they are removable, so you can eat and drink whatever you want without worrying about damaging them. You must brush immediately afterward, though, before wearing the trays again. And you must wear the trays even while asleep. Clear aligners take longer to straighten teeth than braces, with an average of18 months. They are also more expensive than braces.
For adults, especially, professionals, clear aligners are deemed the most appropriate to use. They do not look juvenile and can be worn even during business events.
Straighten Your Misaligned Teeth
With the variety of options available, there is no reason why you should not straighten your misaligned teeth. You owe it to yourself to protect your oral health from further damage. It will also make you feel better while eating, speaking, and smiling. It is a boost of confidence that will enhance your career and your life in general. Talk to your dentist about teeth straightening now.
