Never Take Your Healthy Teeth for Granted

Many adult patients find themselves wishing that their tooth alignment issues would have been addressed in their youth. Unfortunately, due to a lack of financial resources or other family issues, braces simply were not an option for many of these patients as children. As adults, these patients often face a whole new set of challenges, such as the concern of how traditional braces could impact their credibility in their professional life. This concern is especially prominent in professionals who must engage in public speaking on a regular basis. Thankfully, there are some alternatives that can allow these individuals to get the straight teeth they have always wanted, while also avoiding the disadvantages associated with traditional braces.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a very unique method used by orthodontists to help reposition a patient's teeth without the use of traditional braces. The way this method works is by creating a set of custom aligner trays that are designed to gradually move the patient's teeth from their current position to the desired position.

The aligner trays used by this orthodontic procedure are made from virtually invisible plastic. This feature eliminates many of the concerns that adult patients have regarding the use of traditional braces.

In order to achieve results, patients are asked to wear an aligner tray over their natural teeth for a period of a few weeks. After this time period has elapsed, the patient will return to their orthodontist to check their progress and receive the next tray in the series. With each tray moving the teeth closer to their final position, the change that will be seen at each visit will often be minimal. However, by the time the patient receives the final aligner tray, the results will be similar to those seen with traditional braces. The process can often take several months to complete.

Veneers

For patients who are looking for a quick fix to their tooth alignment issues, porcelain veneers can often provide the desired result. These thin layers of porcelain are worn over the patient's natural teeth and immediately provide the appearance of perfectly spaced, aligned, and colored teeth.

In addition to the fast results that veneers can provide, this cosmetic option also has the benefit of allowing patients to address issues with any discoloration or chipping of the teeth. These issues cannot be addressed through the use of traditional braces, aligner trays, or other alternatives to braces.

When considering the use of veneers, it is important to note that porcelain veneers merely give the appearance of a picture perfect smile. These veneers will not actually correct the problems with your tooth alignment. Consequently, these veneers will need to be worn for a lifetime if you wish to maintain the look of your new smile.