Appropriate oral care is essential for healthy teeth, yet sometimes, despite brushing, flossing and rinsing teeth, and attending regular dental appointments, a patient can find themselves with crooked teeth. Having crooked or overlapping teeth can lead to food becoming trapped which can lead to tooth decay or other oral health problems. It is therefore not surprising that patients with such difficulties seek treatments that will straighten their teeth in Kings Hill, giving them healthier teeth and a better smile. Here are just a few of the most popular treatments available to help adults gain straighter teeth. 

Clear aligners 

A child with crooked teeth can take advantage of wired braces that can be worn for a number of years resulting in straighter teeth. However, many adults would prefer a more discreet option and one that will not interfere too much with their everyday life. Clear aligners such as Invisalign provide a popular option as they are barely noticeable and are removed when a patient is eating and drinking. A patient will receive new aligners every few weeks so that their teeth are forced into the correct position and gradually become straighter. The clear aligners need to be worn for at least 22 hours a day and only removed to eat, drink and to brush teeth, otherwise the treatment will not work. After the course of aligners has finished a patient may have wires and brackets fitted to the back of teeth to maintain the straight results. 

Veneers 

When a patient wants what is sometimes referred to as ‘the perfect smile’ they are usually looking for a treatment that will give them straight, whiter teeth. Porcelain veneers are versatile in that they can give the impression of straight teeth and also are created in a shade of white that will suit the individual patient. Although patients can ask for very white veneers, it is advisable to have white veneers to blend in with other teeth, so that they look natural. Patients with gaps between their teeth, crooked teeth or imperfectly shaped teeth choose veneers as they can be applied quickly and last for many years. 

Dental implants 

Although not strictly a teeth-straightening treatment, dental implants can assist patients who have missing teeth to achieve the smile they have always wanted. Gaps between teeth can affect a patient’s speech and can also cause difficulty with eating. A dental implant is a treatment that involves a metal implant being placed into the jawbone and a prosthetic tooth, or several teeth, being screwed onto the implant. The metal implant can remain in the jawbone for a lifetime and the prosthetic teeth may never need to be replaced, or if they do, only after several years. Dental implants can also be used to support a bridge, so that the remaining teeth are not being used to support it causing them stress. 

Choosing a reputable dentist 

Whatever teeth-straightening or replacement treatment a patient chooses, they should always select an accredited dentist to perform the treatment required. It is illegal for a non-accredited dental professional to perform treatments such as these.