Beyond traditional orthodontics: fix teeth without braces

We are seeing fewer and fewer people with braces but... does this mean that people are no longer using orthodontic treatments to fix their teeth? No! This is evidence that increasingly more people are opting for treatments without braces to fix their teeth.

Patients are choosing to straighten their teeth without braces because the treatments are generally more discreet, less painful and more predictable.

In this article we tell you how to get straight teeth without the need for braces, what alternative treatments are available on the market and which are the most effective for dental or malocclusion problems.

Ways to straighten, separate or fix teeth without braces

In this article we will explain the best ways to fix, straighten or close a gap in your teeth without braces.

Although braces are the most popular treatment to date to solve tooth position or occlusion problems, there are increasingly more solutions to get straight teeth without braces.

The first step in determining the most appropriate treatment is to undergo a professional diagnosis. This diagnosis, together with an orthodontic examination, will allow us to find out the reasons for the dental malposition and discover if there are any other oral problems. Afterwards, it will be possible to determine exactly which treatment is the best way to straighten the patient's teeth with or without braces.

Below we explain all the other ways to straighten teeth without braces.

Clear aligners: the ultimate alternative to orthodontics without braces

Among all the treatments available, clear aligners are the best way to fix crooked teeth or close a gap in your teeth without braces. As such, clear aligners are the most effective system to straighten teeth without braces and have several benefits over other methods.

The main advantages of invisible orthodontics with aligners are that they are a more comfortable, efficient, hygienic and discreet treatment than traditional orthodontics or the other ways to straighten teeth without braces. All these benefits position invisible orthodontics as the best way to straighten, fix or close a gap in your teeth without braces.

Are there other ways to fix teeth without braces?

Although this is usually not their main function, there are other orthodontic devices that can be used to fix teeth without braces.

Orthodontic devices that can be used to fix, straighten or close a gap in your teeth without braces include:

• Separators or spacers: small rubber or metal rings that are placed between the teeth to keep them apart. Dental spacers are normally a treatment prior to orthodontics, although in some very specific cases they can be used as an alternative to correct the position of some teeth without the need for braces.

• Transpalatal arch expanders: interceptive orthodontic devices that help widen the palate. They are used to solve cases of impacted teeth or crossbite, although they can also be used to fix crowded teeth without braces when the reason for crowding is a lack of space due to a narrow palate. The expander allows us to gain space and put each tooth in its place, thus helping to fix crooked teeth without braces. Treatment with expanders is usually accompanied by a second phase with braces or aligners to finish straightening the teeth.

• Positioners: tooth positioners are dental caps with minor modifications to the original denture which, thanks to their elastic material, can cause minor tooth movement when placed on the patient’s teeth. Positioners slightly adjust the mesh between the upper and lower jaw and help to fix teeth without braces, but do not align them.

These treatments to fix teeth without braces are not suitable for all cases. The patient should, therefore, consult a professional to determine which treatment is most suitable for them. These treatments are also not very discreet compared to clear aligners, which makes them a less viable alternative for getting straight teeth without braces if one of your goals is for the treatment to go unnoticed.

Veneers for crooked teeth: can veneers straighten teeth?

If you too are wondering whether veneers can straighten teeth, the answer is clear: veneers do not straighten teeth.

Veneers are a purely aesthetic treatment that do not correct the problem of dental malposition, but rather mask it. Veneers are strategically placed over slightly crooked teeth so that they are hidden, and the veneer is visible in the desired size, colour and position.

Although it is a way to superficially “fix” the teeth without using braces, it is only in mild cases of crooked teeth that veneers can be used, as they do not align them. In other words, they are an alternative when the malposition is so slight that it does not affect the patient’s health at all. They are also more expensive than orthodontics and require thorough hygiene to avoid major problems. Therefore, although they have many advantages in other cases, they are not a viable alternative to straighten teeth without braces.

How to fix bite problems without braces

It is important to note that it is not only dental positioning that can be corrected, but it is also possible to fix any type of problem with bite, such as an overbite or crossbite, without braces, although not all treatments are capable of doing so.

The clear aligner system is the only orthodontic treatment without braces that allows us to fix bite problems, even in complex cases such as severe overbite, making it the most appropriate option.

The transpalatal arch expander, one of the orthodontic devices discussed above to fix crowded teeth without braces, can also correct cases of crossbite by expanding the palate. This type of appliance is mostly used in children, when it is easier to modify the bone structure.

Finally, veneers cannot be used as an option to fix bite issues without braces, as it is a purely aesthetic treatment that cannot correct the position of the teeth or bones.

How much does it cost to straighten teeth without braces?

As mentioned throughout this article, invisible orthodontics with aligners is the best treatment to straighten teeth and fix bite issues without braces, but is it cheaper than traditional orthodontics?

How much it costs to straighten teeth without braces, but with clear aligners instead, can vary depending on the complexity of the case, as well as other factors such as technology, treatment time, the number of check-ups required or the type of clinic and its location.

All these factors affect the price, but if you are interested in how much it costs to straighten teeth without braces in the UK, the price of treatment with clear aligners can range from £2,000 to £5,500.

Impress clear orthodontics, the best alternative to braces

We have already stated that clear aligners are the best alternative to fix teeth without braces, and we have no doubts when it comes to recommending a brand: Impress will be your top choice.

With Impress you can carry out the most suitable invisible orthodontic treatment for your smile and enjoy all the benefits of the Impress methodology. With this revolutionary method you can monitor your treatment from wherever you are thanks to the Impress app, without disrupting your lifestyle and, if you need to, you can also attend appointments in person.

At Impress we offer various types of personalised treatments according to your needs and the complexity of your case, with fixed prices and no surprises. We also offer financing options if you prefer to pay for your treatment in instalments. At Impress we want you to focus on enjoying your smile, not changing your lifestyle.

If you want to get straight teeth without braces and have a perfect smile, do not hesitate to contact us and discover the different treatments we have to offer. Consult your nearest clinic and contact us by making an appointment through our website, by phone or WhatsApp at +44 20 3808 1072.

We look forward to meeting you!