How Orthodontics Can Be Used in Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry uses orthodontic devices like braces and clear aligners to straighten smiles. These devices all work using a similar concept: They constantly apply pressure to the patient’s teeth, moving them into a better alignment over time. Issues that cosmetic dentistry might use such teeth straightening devices for include:

• Crooked teeth
• Misaligned teeth
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Overjets
• Gaps between teeth

How cosmetic dentistry addresses poorly-aligned teeth

There are several options that patients who need teeth straightening treatments can choose from. The most popular options include the following.

1. Braces

Braces have been the standard when it comes to improving teeth alignment for over a century. These appliances have two main components: brackets and wires. A bracket is cemented to each tooth, and the wires connect all the brackets on one side of the jaw. The tighter the wires are, the more force that the device applies on the patient’s teeth. Braces are highly conspicuous devices. They are permanently fixed in place once a dentist installs them. This means that they can get in the way of dental hygiene and meals, but it also makes these devices the better option for those who lack the discipline needed to use clear aligners as recommended. Treatment times with braces are typically somewhere between two to four years.

2. Clear aligners

These transparent plastic trays allow people to get teeth straightening treatments without compromising how their smile looks. These devices often lead to faster results than braces due to the more precise application of force on the patient’s teeth. Patients receive multiple clear aligner sets at the start of their orthodontic treatment, and each one is worn for about two weeks. It is then switched with another set of aligner trays that take the patient’s teeth to the next point. The process is repeated several times until the patient’s teeth reach the desired alignment. Clear aligners are removable devices, which makes treatment with them more convenient for most people. Unlike braces, which can restrict the type of foods that a person can eat, clear aligners can be removed for meals and oral hygiene. The patient can also remove them whenever their teeth need a break. They just need to wear the appliance for about 20 hours each day for their treatment to be effective.

3. Veneers

These are shells that cover the front area of teeth. Veneers are not the standard way to deal with poor teeth alignment, and they do not push teeth to a better alignment. Veneers are used to create the illusion of a straighter smile. Dentists recommend them for orthodontic treatments when the patient has other issues that can be treated with veneers, like deformed teeth.  This is the fastest way to improve teeth alignment. It can be completed in as little as two weeks.

Get a straighter smile

Ready to improve your smile? Call or visit our clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist. Request an appointment here: https://www.smilereflections.us or call Smile Reflections at (520) 747-3595 for an appointment in our Tucson office. Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Cosmetic Dentistry in Tucson, AZ.