Find out about teeth straightening options for the correction of teeth misalignment
Many adults and teenagers want to improve their teeth alignment and thus their confidence, and perhaps you're no different, but you don't know what treatment options you have for straightening your teeth.
We’ll outline the available options for straightening teeth, such as cosmetic teeth straightening or orthodontic treatment, and the cost of these treatments.
What is teeth straightening?
Like many others, you may be wondering what teeth alignment or teeth straightening actually is and what it entails. Teeth alignment refers to when teeth are correctly positioned and arranged in the dental arches.
Why are straight teeth important?
In order to be able to chew efficiently and to have a proper distribution of force when biting, the teeth must be properly aligned and fit together harmoniously. While the correction of teeth alignment can help improve the appearance of teeth, it is also essential to ensure further oral health problems don’t develop.
How are teeth supposed to line up?
If you find yourself wondering how your teeth are actually supposed to line up, here we give you some insights. Ideal teeth alignment is necessary in order to have the perfect bite, and consists of the following aspects:
- Occlusion: When the jaw is closed, the upper teeth (maxillary arch) should fit just over the lower teeth (mandibular arch), with the upper incisors sitting just in front of the lower incisors.
- Midline alignment: The line between the front two teeth of the upper and lower jaw should align with the centre of the face when a person is viewed from the front.
- Straight alignment: Proper teeth alignment means that teeth should be in a straight line both vertically and horizontally, and there shouldn’t be a lot of overlapping, crowding, or gaps.
- Harmonious shape and size: The size and shape of the teeth should be balanced, and each tooth should be positioned properly so that they support the surrounding teeth and so that proper jaw function is maintained.
So if you think you have misaligned teeth, you should visit a dental specialist so that they can assess your case and advise you on the different options available to achieve proper teeth alignment.
Why are my teeth not aligned properly?
One factor that can influence whether or not teeth are straight is genetics. Below are some examples of genetic factors that can determine whether or not your teeth are aligned properly:
- Tongue tie and lip tie: If you have or have ever had tongue tie or lip tie, this could be the reason behind misalignment of teeth, including gaps and poor bite.
- Misaligned jaw: Genetics can sometimes determine the alignment of your jaw. If your jaw is not properly aligned, your upper teeth will not sit correctly over your lower teeth, which can have a negative impact on your bite.
Reasons for teeth that aren't straight:
- Inadequate dental hygiene: If you don't take care of your teeth correctly or schedule regular visits with your dentist, you might let problems go unnoticed, which can lead to tooth loss. Having teeth missing can cause your other teeth to shift and become crooked.
- Trauma or injuries: If you've experienced some kind of trauma or injury to the mouth, this may affect your jaw or lead to tooth loss, which can make the remaining teeth misaligned.
- Bad habits: Biting your nails, sucking your thumb or breathing through your mouth can all lead to misalignment of the teeth.
If you don't want factors such as these to affect the alignment of your teeth, you should ensure that you have regular check-ups with your dentist. This allows any issues to be detected by your dentist so that an effective treatment plan for straightening your teeth can be put in place.
Straightening your teeth: treatment options
There are many different options available for straightening your teeth, but the teeth alignment treatment you choose depends on your own specific needs and preferences, as well as your budget.
One of the most common ways to straighten your teeth, which is often recommended by dentists, is with orthodontic treatment such as braces or aligners.
However, another way in which you can straighten your teeth, or at least create the appearance of straighter teeth, is with cosmetic dentistry. While it is one of the more costly teeth alignment options, it offers instant results, but only in cases where misalignment is minor.
Orthodontic teeth straightening using braces or aligners
You may find that dentists recommend orthodontic treatment for those seeking ways to straighten their teeth, as it is a solution that fixes the issue with alignment, rather than simply covering it up.
Traditional metal braces are one of the most common types of braces used. These consist of brackets which are bonded to the teeth and connected by a wire, which gradually moves the teeth, straightening them.
Other more advanced options for braces include lingual braces, self-ligating braces and clear ceramic braces. Self-ligating or traditional metal braces are more visible and can affect the self-esteem of the patient. This is why many patients are choosing less-visible options like clear aligners.
Difficult part of having braces
While braces are an effective and resistant option that can be used to treat a variety of different cases, they can often be expensive (particularly aesthetic braces), cause some pain or discomfort, and can restrict what a person eats.
Aligners for straight teeth
Clear aligners are becoming more and more popular as a teeth-straightening option for both adults and teenagers.
Benefits of aligner treatment
- They can treat several alignment issues, including diastema, crossbite and crowding
- They are generally comfortable to wear
- Removable and practically invisible, unlike braces.
- You can eat what you like without damaging the aligners
- Clean your teeth more easily.
A thorough assessment should include whether braces or aligners might be a more viable option for achieving aligned teeth, the treatment time if using clear aligners or braces and any pre-work you may need.
Cosmetic teeth straightening: achieving straight teeth quickly
For those who are seeking a quicker way to achieve the appearance of straight teeth, cosmetic dentistry is an effective option.
Composite dental bonding is a cosmetic option that can be used when teeth are only slightly misaligned, such as when they have small gaps or chips. With dental bonding, composite resin is applied and moulded directly to the teeth to fill the gaps or chips and create the appearance of aligned teeth.
Veneers for straightening
Another cosmetic option for straightening teeth is veneers. Dental veneers are thin tooth coverings which are applied directly to the front of each tooth, creating the appearance of uniformity in the teeth. They are often made using porcelain or composite and can be customized according to the needs and preferences of the patient.
Cons of veneers
It should be noted that rather than straightening the teeth and avoiding any further oral health problems from developing, it simply masks the problem. Furthermore, most cosmetic dental procedures require maintenance over time and eventual replacement, which can mean the cost adds up to more than expected.
The cost of teeth straightening
If you’re wondering how much teeth alignment treatments cost, it depends on factors such as your location, your chosen dental clinic, and the severity of your specific case.
When it comes to the cost of teeth straightening using orthodontics, the price can vary significantly depending on the type of orthodontic treatment you choose:
- Traditional metal braces: between $3,000 and $7,000.
- Clear braces: between $4,000 and $8,500.
- Lingual braces: between $8,000 and $13,000.
- Clear aligners: between $3,500 and $6,000.
The cost of cosmetic teeth alignment can also vary a lot depending on the type of procedure you choose to have:
- Dental bonding: This can cost between $100 and $500 per tooth, but depends on the size of the area to be repaired or covered.
- With veneers, the cost varies according to the type of material used. Composite veneers can cost between $400 and $1500 per tooth, while porcelain veneers can cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth.
Straightening your teeth with Impress
For those struggling with misaligned teeth, you can pay a visit to one of our clinics for a complimentary evaluation, where we’ll use 360º X-rays and 3D scanners to design a treatment plan using our clear aligners, which are 100% personalized to you.
If you’re interested in a treatment with Impress, you can visit your nearest Impress clinic and meet the expert team who will oversee your treatment. You can also schedule an appointment online or by phone at 888.490.1421.
Frequently asked questions about teeth alignment
Does teeth alignment change the shape of the face?
In general, teeth alignment does not change the shape of the face. However, when the bite or alignment of the jaw has been corrected, it can create an appearance of greater symmetry in the orofacial area. Additionally, depending on what age you undergo orthodontic treatment, the shape of the face can be impacted slightly. Teenagers who have orthodontic treatment may notice some change in the shape of their face, as their jaw and bones are still in the development stage during their treatment.
Does the alignment of teeth change with age?
Yes, teeth alignment does usually change with age as there are a variety of factors that can cause teeth to move. If a person experiences tooth loss or gum disease during their lifetime, it's likely that it can cause some misalignment in the teeth. Furthermore, our bone density decreases with age and our lower jaw can start to grow forward slightly, which can also cause the teeth to shift. In order to tackle issues as they arise, and to ensure the teeth don't move too much, it's important that we attend dental check-ups regularly. Additionally, if we have already had orthodontic treatment in the past for correction of issues with teeth alignment, we should make sure to follow the advice given to us by our dentist on how to keep our teeth straight. We should also wear retainers to make sure our teeth stay aligned.
Can teeth alignment affect your speech?
As previously mentioned, teeth alignment can affect speech. When a person has misaligned teeth, they can develop problems with speech as some words or sounds can be difficult to articulate. Treatment for teeth alignment correction can often help when it comes to issues relating to speech.
Is it always necessary to undergo correction of teeth alignment?
If you’ve noticed you have a mild case of teeth misalignment, you may be wondering if you need to seek treatment at all. The answer is yes. Our teeth can continue to move throughout our lives, so it's important to seek treatment as soon as we notice any misalignment, even if the case is only mild. This means we can fix the problem before the teeth become severely misaligned, which can result in further damage to our overall oral health.
Can misaligned teeth cause TMJ?
Misaligned teeth can cause TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. When the teeth are misaligned, the person affected is likely to have a stronger bite on one side of their mouth, which means they are more likely to grind or clench their teeth on that side. This can therefore cause pain in the jaw and in the surrounding muscles.
How long does teeth alignment treatment take?
If you’re thinking about a teeth alignment treatment but you’re asking yourself, “how long does treatment take?”, the truth is, it depends on a number of factors such as the severity of your case and the type of treatment that's been decided for you. Cosmetic treatments can provide immediate results, but as mentioned previously, they’re simply a means of masking the problem rather than actually straightening the teeth. Orthodontic treatments take longer as they physically move the teeth to line them up correctly. On average, the time it takes to straighten teeth using orthodontics can fall between 6 months and 2 years. You should also take into account that straightening teeth is a longer process for adults than it is for teenagers, as adult bones are fully developed and thus more solid.
Can wisdom teeth be the cause of misalignment in the rest of the teeth?
When wisdom teeth develop crookedly, they can cause misalignment in the rest of the teeth. While this might not be the case for every person, you should attend regular dental appointments so that your doctor can check on the alignment of your teeth as your wisdom teeth come through.
Do teeth straightening treatments hurt?
Teeth straightening treatments do not typically hurt. However, some people may find braces slightly uncomfortable or a little painful, especially when they're installed or tightened.