Crooked teeth can wreak havoc on your dental health, as well as your confidence. Whether it is a jaw misalignment or just a couple of stray teeth, there are several options for teeth straightening treatments in orthodontics.
Teeth straightening treatments can be provided by a dentist specialized in orthodontics. Orthodontists provide consultations to help you decide what treatment may work best for you. Some factors you may want to consider are how permanent it is, the aesthetics of the treatment and the cost out of pocket. The three most popular treatments are retainers, braces and teeth straightening surgery.
Retainers are a plastic insert molded to the shape of the roof of your mouth. This is achieved through the use of X-rays and several follow-up appointments for fittings. Retainers also have a steel bar that runs across your teeth to help re-align any that have grown at irregular angles. Your orthodontist can help you decide if a retainer is the right choice for you.
Retainers need to be cleaned and taken out at night. They are usually only for the top set of teeth and provide less intense straightening than braces. Retainers need to be worn daily for one to three years. They are an economical option; most dental insurance has an out-of-pocket cost for a retainer at $75-$150.
Braces are metal guards that cover both the top and bottom of teeth, crossing the front. They have bands to allow the jaw to move and are very effective at straightening teeth. An orthodontics specialist will recommend braces if there are both top and bottom teeth that need realignment. Braces can limit the type of food you can eat: It is not recommended to eat sticky, sweet food or anything that could get stuck in your braces, as this may damage your teeth or the braces while trying to remove the food.
Traditional braces are metallic and entirely visible. There are also many brands of clear braces available that look/function more like a mouth guard and usually cost more than regular metal braces. The cost of regular braces averages $300-$500; invisible braces can run up to $6,000.
Some orthodontists can also perform a tooth straightening surgery. This requires them to make an incision in the jaw and/or gums and realign the teeth one by one. This is usually done in extreme cases to correct an over/underbite and often necessitates wearing braces as well. It is a good option for someone with a misaligned jaw. Most teeth straightening needs are served by a retainer or braces, but surgery is available for more complicated cases. Be sure to ask your orthodontist what is right for you.
Crooked teeth are a common dental problem, and there are several options in the field of orthodontics. Retainers, braces or surgery can fix the problem. Some of the cost can be covered by dental insurance.
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