So, we take it that you are ready for a smile upgrade. That’s a big decision and there are a lot of orthodontic treatments to choose from. Which one’s the best for you? Read on for a quick round-up of the various treatment options available.  

But first, who needs it? Well-set teeth hold greater importance than most people realise. It’s not just our smile that’s impacted. Misaligned teeth can also cause uneven bites known to make us more prone to cavities. In some cases, it affects speech and even food habits and body weight etc. So not just for a confident smile but also for good teeth health and overall wellness too, it’s a great decision to get properly aligned teeth. 

 Now, coming to the treatment options: All teeth alignment solutions work on the same principle – of applying continuous pressure over a period of time (treatment duration depends on individual needs and type of treatment used) causing teeth to slowly move in a specific direction. As the teeth move, the bone changes shape too. 

What varies is the mechanism – the ease, convenience, costs and speed of achieving those results. Broadly there are fixed and removable solutions. 

The traditional option – fixed wire braces

Intrusive, conspicuous metal braces were the only choice until a couple of decades ago. A common sight on teenagers – often adding to the awkwardness of that age. Older people tend to adjust their lifestyle around crooked teeth than to these clearly visible braces. But yes, this is an effective way to align teeth too. The months or years of patience and inconvenience is eventually rewarded with a beautiful, confident smile and perfect bite-alignment. 

The mechanics: These braces consist of bands, wires and other fixed corrective appliances. 

Pros: Satisfactory results at end of the duration

Cons: Clearly visible, requires care, oral health needs extra attention, regular maintenance visits to the dentist required.  

Tooth-coloured brackets – fixed ceramic braces

Ceramic braces solved the problem of the embarrassment of visible metal braces to a certain extent. Also known as clear braces, these orthodontic tools were a boon for teens and older people needing teeth alignment without impacting their social interactions too much.

The mechanics: Ceramic braces involve clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets attached to the surface of your teeth with similarly colored wires and rubber bands.

Pros:  Much less evident that metal braces, good results eventually

Cons: Cumbersome, requires care, oral health needs extra attention, regular maintenance visits to the dentist required.  

Removable Clear aligners

These are the latest advancement in this field – the easiest, fastest and safest option till date! They effectively and efficiently facilitate teeth health by correcting alignment without wires or bands.

The mechanics: Transparent trays made of a special material are used to straighten teeth and achieve the same result as braces, but these can be removed without a visit to the dentist. Making it easier to brush your teeth and maintain oral hygiene. Clear aligners are gentle, yet apply the required constant force to move teeth to the required position. 

Pros: Can’t be seen. Can be removed without having to visit the dentist. Oral health maintenance is easy

Cons: None as far as teeth alignment is concerned. Your orthodontist can explain in detail for you to make an informed choice. 

Dental veneers

This is the option for those seeking solutions beyond alignment of teeth. If you are facing a chipped, stained, gapped or crooked tooth or teeth – making you conscious of your smile – veneers may be the answer for you.

Mechanics: Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length

The Bottomline: With so many options out there, making a decision can be a daunting one. Good news! At OrthoFX, we are committed to making this journey easy, convenient and safe for you. We not only help perfect your smile but also give you a reason to smile – with the best in class solutions customised to your unique lifestyle and budget needs. Give us a ring to get a detailed picture of average costs, duration of treatment, financing plans, treatment preparations, pros and cons of teeth aligners etc – to avail a treatment plan that’s perfect for you