Dental braces really are among the most wonderful inventions of the modern dentistry. They can fix any type of distorted occlusion, no matter how difficult it is and, most importantly, no matter how old you are. Today everyone has the opportunity to have straight beautiful teeth.
Braces are usually prescribed in the cases of malocclusion, asymmetrical jaws, wrong bite or crooked teeth. Such type of orthodontic treatment can be very comprehensive and may even include the need for tooth extraction for the desired result. But what to do if your cosmetic defect isn’t that significant and is limited by the problematic position of only one tooth?
Are Braces the Only Option?
One crooked front tooth can be a subject of self-consciousness if it is located on the visible zone of the smile. But many people doubt whether they want to start a long-term orthodontic treatment with the help of braces or mouth guards. Not everyone is ready to deal with discomfort, multiple visits to orthodontist and efforts to correct a single tooth. But is there an alternative?
Well, there are options to make it faster but this depends on the individual conditions. Let’s observe what modern cosmetic dentistry can do about a single crooked tooth without bringing you long-term discomfort and demanding efforts.
Dental veneers
A dental veneer is an aesthetic layer that is attached to the surface of your tooth. The enamel should be trimmed to provide the perfect adhesion. This can be your option if the tooth is slightly crooked or has other imperfections like cracks, a size that is different from other front teeth or discoloration.
Crowns
Haven you ever thought of dental crown as of means of purely aesthetic correction? We usually associate them with the treatment of the teeth badly destroyed by tooth decay, but in fact, they can also conceal a cosmetic defect on crooked teeth as well. They are just worn on the problematic tooth and the problem is solved.
These means of correction can cope with the problem of a single tooth, but if there is a more significant occlusion-related problem, it’s better to wear dental braces or special mouth guards. Nevertheless, even they have their drawbacs. Both of them mean an interference with the integrity of the dental enamel which creates additional risks for the tooth to get ruined.
When Are Braces Preferred
However, even in cases when you only have one crooked tooth, the means of correction mentioned below can still be useless. If it’s significantly crooked or is the result of jaw disproportion, you won’t be able to correct it without braces. Braces are not as scary as they may seem and they have many benefits not only for the aesthetics of your smile but for your entire health in general.
Problematic occlusion is not only an aesthetic problem. It affects the way your facial bones function, the health of other teeth and even your digestive tract. Even one crooked tooth is a disbalance in the process of processing food and digesting it because it can’t perform its function properly. This is why you shouldn’t totally dismiss the idea of correction of your entire occlusion if it’s necessary, even in cases when the visible defect is only a single tooth.
Comments