Chances are you were introduced to orthodontics in your lifetime in one way or another. For the last forty years or so children and adults alike sported colored rubber bands, awkward night headgear, and painful retainers in hopes of having straighter teeth. Most of us thought that having braces was a temporary sacrifice that we would have to endure once, but the reality is, if you were not diligent about wearing your retainers, your teeth might have moved back to their original spots. What are your options for getting your teeth back to the way they looked the day after you had your braces removed? If going through the discomfort of braces is not a viable option don't worry, there are other options.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are slender tooth casings made from ceramic (medical-grade) materials that are attached to the front surface of teeth to enhance the aesthetic appearance of one’s smile. They are individually created for each patient by dental technicians.
Applications: While individuals vary, most dentists will always recommend the most suitable treatments for each individual based on: finances, particular type and condition of teeth, desired result, how much time it takes to correct and general oral and periodontal health.
Porcelain veneers can be used to correct a wide array of dental problems, some of which include:
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Gaps located between teeth (diastemas)
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Chipped teeth
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Slightly crowded teeth
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Slightly discolored or stained teeth
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Misaligned teeth
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Cosmetic makeovers
Before anybody is fitted with porcelain veneers, they should:
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Have enough enamel because dentists have to file away some enamel before placing veneers.
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Be committed to excellent oral hygiene and care.
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Clearly articulate their specific cosmetic objectives while maintaining realistic expectations.
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Generally have healthy gums and teeth.
Advantages
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Durability
They offer long lasting solutions if well looked after. -
Quick solutions
They produce instantaneous improvements to your teeth and smile as most “before and after photos” demonstrate. -
Low Maintenance
Veneers require minimal maintenance because there is no need to wear retainers like in braces. They are also easy to clean and floss. -
Conservativeness
They provide a conservative alternative because they require minimal removal of the tooth structure. This means they are less likely to affect internal nerves of the teeth. -
Flexibility
Porcelain veneers can be integrated with other dental procedures such as: teeth whitening, dental implants, teeth bonding, orthodontics, etc. to achieve the best makeover of a smile. -
Natural looking
They mimic the light reflecting abilities of natural enamel quite well and hence provide a natural tooth appearance. The color of the porcelain veneer can be made to resemble the natural color of your teeth. Patients don’t have to veneer all their teeth like with “Hollywood style” makeovers unless the patient wishes for it. Even better, they can be made very thin and translucent. -
No stress
There is no pain involved and best of all; you can eat any kind of food because they won’t get stuck between your teeth.
Invisalign
If you wore braces as a youth and your teeth have wandered since, you should probably try Invisalign first. This teeth aligning system made of clear, smooth, and comfy plastic that is virtually invisible and are worn over the teeth.
The system aligns your teeth over time in a gentle manner as it does not feature metal brackets and wires. The alignment will depend on the precise movements that have been mapped out by your orthodontist or dentist.
All that is required is for you to put on a new set every fortnight until your prescribed treatment is complete. The greatest advantage is that people will not even notice that you are making an effort to straighten your teeth.
