This is undoubtedly the most asked question in the field of dentistry- “Is it possible to straighten the teeth without getting braces?” The answer is- Yes. It might not be true in all the cases, but for some, it is possible. For instance, if you have severely misaligned teeth, you will have to go the traditional way of getting metal braces adjusted.
Natural Ways To Straighten Your Teeth Without Getting Braces
It should be noted that there are no viable natural ways to straighten the teeth because this particular process needs careful application of quantified force on the teeth. Excessive or relatively less force, when applied, can cause damage to the teeth. Nonetheless, here are some alternatives for braces popular used around the world
Fixed Retainers
Most of the time, retainers are suggested by the orthodontist after completion of treatment from the metal braces. However, in the case of adults with requirements of minimum teeth correction, retainers solely can be helpful. Here are some different types of retainers used by doctors. As per the Steel Bite Pro review, it works on removing the bad bacteria that cause tooth decay and inflammation.
These retainers are fastened to the inner surface of the teeth with the help of dental cement. This prevents the teeth from moving, corrects the bite, and helps in straightening. This is a long term solution for crooked or misaligned teeth. Also, once attached, you cannot remove fixed retainers yourself for relief or repair.
- Essix Retainers: A transparent retainer fixed over the entire arch of the mouth. It makes the entire set less noticeable as compared to traditional braces.
- Hawley Retainers: These are metal wires and acrylic removable to give a proper shape to the mouth as per one’s dental impression.
For people who are trying to correct their smiles, removable retainers can be a great option. It should be kept in mind that retainers are not entirely successful in all cases. Only a limited type of case can use this as a viable option.
Appliances- Herbst and Headgear
There are several appliances such as Headgear and Herbst’s appliance meant for straightening the teeth by initiating jaw imperfection correction.
Herbst Appliance:
- It helps the lower jaw to develop in a forward direction to correct the patient’s bite.
- To straighten the teeth, it helps the lower and upper jaw to meet at a point.
- There is a metal extension to this appliance which is attached to the molars to connect the upper and lower jaws.
- Generally, the orthodontist advice their patients to wear this appliance for one year at least while he tries to correct the position of the lower jaw.
Headgear:
- This appliance is used in patients with extreme overbites.
- It applies pressure on the upper jaw.
- According to the requirement, Headgear either hold the teeth in a particular position or allows them to move in the correct direction for alignment.
- It can be easily removed.
What isn’t favorable is that these appliances are not very discreet and usually take too much time to show results.
Invisalign
Invisalign is one of the most popular options for people who need teeth imperfection correction. These are transparent, clear plastic retainers used to straighten the teeth. This product is not just invisible, but it is relatively better than many other orthodontic treatments.
- A 3D map is taken of your teeth
- Based on this map, a series of aligners are created which are supposed to be worn for approximately 20 to 22 hours in a day
- These are easily removable
- These are changed in every two weeks
Invisalign treatment requires frequent checkups and may be quite expensive as compared to traditional braces.
Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders are mostly used in the development stages of a child. If your child’s mouth is small for future adult teeth, palatal expanders can be used to broaden the upper teeth.
- These create space for teeth to move naturally and correct their position.
- Expanders are attached to upper molars with the help of dental cement.
- The screw in the center of the upper attachment is adjusted by the orthodontist to apply pressure on the left and right halves of the jaw.
- Expanders are invisible but may cause discomfort in many cases.
Conclusion
Metal Braces have been used since ages for teeth correction. However, a lot of people feel discomfort and inconvenience with braces. According to several types of research, people who need treatment for teeth are inclined towards finding natural ways to straighten or align the teeth rather than getting braces done. This is when the need to have natural ways of straightening the teeth was required. So, these were some ways using which you can straighten the teeth without the need for braces.