Why braces aren’t the only way to straighten your teeth
If you’re someone who’s always wanted a straighter smile, you perhaps also have reasons why you haven’t had braces so far. It might be concerned about your appearance during your treatment, financial constraints, time constraints, or something else altogether.
In recent blogs, we’ve looked at adult braces and the reasons you might consider orthodontic treatment as well as the orthodontic solutions available here at Harwood Dental Care in Bolton. But are there ways, other than braces, to straighten your teeth? Let’s look at your options.
Orthodontics
There’s no doubt that when it comes to having straighter teeth, orthodontic treatment can be incredibly effective. As well as traditional wire braces, there are now a number of discreet brace systems that feature tooth-coloured wires and clear brackets to give you all the benefits of fixed wire braces while being barely noticeable.
If braces aren’t the best option for you, we might recommend an aligner system to straighten your teeth. Aligners are discreet, removable and offer a high level of comfort.
Which braces or aligners we recommend will depend on the complexity of your case, the time frame for your treatment, and your budget. You may be surprised by what we can achieve and by the different systems now used by orthodontists.
Dental veneers
If you’re looking for options other than braces in Bolton, then you might want to consider dental veneers. We use veneers made of porcelain because porcelain does an excellent job of mimicking the colour, texture and light absorption of natural teeth.
Veneers work much like false nails in that they are thin shells that we can attach to the front of a tooth to hide cracks, discolouration, gaps and poor alignment. You can have just one veneer matched to your surrounding teeth or a whole set of veneers to completely remodel your smile. Alternatively, dental implants are a popular treatment to rejuvenate a smile.
Direct bonding/instant veneers
When we talk about dental bonding, what we mean is that we are able to use carefully colour-matched composite fillings to rebuild damaged teeth or blend a filling so that it is not visible to anyone else, even when you laugh or talk. Dental bonding to replace metal amalgam fillings can help restore the natural beauty of your smile and make your teeth look straighter and flawless.
Dental crowns and bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are restorations that sit on top of a natural tooth or teeth to rebuild a damaged tooth or fill a gap caused by tooth loss. As with dental bonding, these restorations can help improve the appearance of your smile in areas that have previously been damaged.
Tooth whitening
Although tooth whitening won’t actually straighten your teeth, it can create the illusion that your teeth are straighter than in the past. This is because tooth whitening can help to remove stains and shadows that emphasise any poorly aligned teeth.
In addition, having a whiter, brighter smile tends to be associated with a healthy lifestyle and good self-care, which can be a great way of boosting your confidence without having braces.
Smile makeovers
It may be that, to give you a straighter smile, we recommend combining two or more treatments. Some people choose to celebrate the removal of their braces with tooth whitening. Others need white fillings as well as orthodontic treatment.
Looking for braces in Bolton or other tooth straightening options? The best way to find out what your options are, including what is achievable with your available budget, is to book a free consultation at Harwood Dental Care by following the link to our booking form or calling 01204 304568.
