Millions of Americans are on the hunt for achieving the perfect smile. After all, perfectly aligned teeth can not only create a great first impression, but boost your career prospects, maintain excellent oral hygiene, and elevate your self-confidence.
The conventional route many people go down to get their teeth straightened is braces. Thankfully, technology has come on leaps and bounds over the years, meaning you don’t have to settle for traditional metal braces to do the job. Instead, you can opt for clear aligners, or even wear retractable ones! Whatever treatment you decide on, you’re sure to have lots of questions. Here, we will explore the most common tooth straightening questions to help make up your mind.
What Are My Options?
There are an array of effective tooth straightening options to pick from. This will entirely depend on personal preference. Traditional metal braces can work for people of all ages. However, you may not like how they look visually. For those wanting something less conspicuous, you may want to consider ALIGNERCO for your braces. They have a plethora of brace options to check out, such as clear aligners that are practically invisible to the naked eye.
Other types of braces available include ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and lingual braces. Understandably, each type will differ in terms of cost, treatment duration, and success rates. Therefore, take your time looking at each option. You should speak to a specialist for advice to help you make your decision.
Will It Hurt?
In the past, many of us would associate braces with severe pain and discomfort. Thankfully, tooth straightening treatment is usually painless. However, there may be some discomfort involved, especially if you opt for fixed braces. This is because they will need to be tightened occasionally. Although, taking a painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen should ease any discomfort.
It may take a day or two for your teeth to adjust to treatment. If you experience any pain that lasts for longer than 2 days, speak to your dentist.
How Much Does Tooth Straightening Treatment Cost?
Again, this will depend on the type of brace you opt for. In general, conventional metal braces tend to be the cheapest option. Although, expect treatment time to be longer. While you may have to shell out more for invisible aligners, in many cases, you can achieve the results you want in as little as 6 months.
The cost of braces can run into the thousands. Of course, many of us don’t have a wad of cash lying around to foot the bill. Therefore, contact your dentist as they may offer payment plans which can spread the cost over several months or years.
How Long Will Treatment Take?
Typically, tooth straightening treatment will take between 12 and 18 months. For minor cases, treatment can be completed in less than a year. You should have a consultant with your dental clinic who can give a more accurate timeline.
If you’re not in too much of a hurry to see results, you may prefer metal fixed braces. For those wanting instant results, clear aligners may be your best bet. You will have a thorough examination from a dental clinic before you get braces which will give clarity on how long the process will take.
Will I Need Extractions?
For braces to work, some people may need to have one or several teeth removed first, such as if you have overcrowding. Extractions are important for treatment success. Each patient is unique. While some may require several extractions, others may not need any at all.
In addition to extractions, you may need other treatments before getting braces. This may include having a root canal or filling. Again, speak to your dentist first as they can provide further advice.
How Should I Prepare for Tooth Straightening Treatment?
There are certain actions you can take on the day of your tooth straightening appointment. These will not only calm your nerves but ensure treatment gets off to the right start. This includes cleaning your teeth thoroughly, keeping pain relief on hand, and eating soft foods.
Going forward, there may be some foods you need to avoid as you navigate through tooth straightening treatment. If you choose fixed braces, chewy foods like bagels, or crunchy foods like popcorn are best avoided. For those who pick retractable braces, you can eat anything you want. Just make sure you take out your aligners before eating. Keeping good care of your teeth and gums throughout tooth straightening treatment is essential. This will prevent the risk of gum disease and potentially speed up treatment.
In addition to the above, you may have other questions regarding tooth straightening treatment. Before you make a decision, it’s wise to speak to a dentist or clinic about all the different options available so you can find a brace that works for you.
