If you’re looking for effective alternatives to dental braces, then you’re certainly not alone. While dental braces are easily one of the most powerful ways to transform your smile, they do come with their downsides. For younger people, they can create a great deal of self-consciousness over their appearance, and it can even draw unwanted attention for adults in a working environment, too.
Fortunately, there’s several fantastic alternatives to dental braces these days – and thanks to the ever-improving technology within the dental field, there’s never been a better time to find an alternative that works for you. With this in mind, lets take closer look at some of the best options currently available.
Option 1 – Clear Aligners
Perhaps one of the most common alternatives is to use a clear aligner, which works similar to a brace, but without the obvious appearance of something covering your teeth. These were originally designed by a company called Invisalign, and while they were initially aimed at adults, they’re becoming very popular with children as well.
In most cases, they can still achieve the same results as a conventional brace – especially if you’re only dealing with a small case of misalignment. It’s also possible to opt for this solution for more serious dental problems, such as underbites or malocclusions – although you’ll need to have a detailed consultation first, because they aren’t always suitable for more severe issues.
So how to clear aligners work?
Essentially, you’ll go through the same process of having dental impressions taken, then having a brace designed to match – but you will receive a clear tray that comfortably slides over your teeth. One of the real perks is that you can take the aligner off when you’re eating, although you’ll want to keep it on as often as possible. It’s usually recommended that you wear it for 18 to 20 hours a day.
Not only do clear aligners feel more comfortable to wear (thanks to the lack of wires and metal brackets that quickly become a constant irritation), but they also mean it’s very difficult to detect that you’re wearing anything at all. This can be great for people who are greatly concerned about the appearance of braces.
Another great benefit is the fact that you can remove them when you’re eating. For many people who have experienced full dental braces, one of the hardest things to get used to is the sensation of eating food while your teeth are surrounded by metal. Of course, it is something you eventually get used to, but the option of being able to remove the braces when you’re eating is definitely a great benefit that shouldn’t be forgotten too lightly!
Finally, you’ll be pleased to learn that Invisalign braces cost around the same as conventional treatment, and the average treatment length is about the same as well. Ultimately, this means there’s no reason why you’d have to choose traditional braces if you didn’t want to.
Option 2 – Veneers
If clear aligners still feel too much like wearing a brace, then perhaps a simple porcelain veneer will do the trick. Interestingly, many celebrities opt for this solution – because a movie star can rarely get away with wearing a dental brace on set!
If you have misalignments that are causing gaps between your teeth, then the humble veneer can work to cover this area and give you the perfect smile you’re looking for. They can also be useful for masking chips and unusual contours, so they provide some benefits that even a standard brace cannot rival.
Commonly, veneers are best suited for masking only minor inconsistencies with your smile. But there’s a wide variety of veneers you can choose from, so it’s something you’ll have to discuss in detail with your dentist. Fortunately, you’ll be able to find a suitable veneer solution for most dental problems, especially if you only have minor teeth issues.
Overall, this is another great option for people who don’t like the idea of having a full brace, but still want to improve the appearance of their teeth.
Option 3 – Fast tracked orthodontics
One of the most fascinating treatments to have been developed in recent years is the concept of fast track orthodontics, which uses a special machine to temporarily weaken the structure of your jaw and teeth. This allows your teeth to be moved into their optimal position very quickly.
Of course, this treatment isn’t going to be available on most health plans – and because it’s on the cutting edge right now, you may not be able to find it everywhere. However, it’s certainly shaping up to be a one of the most fantastic alternatives to dental braces – and we predict that it’ll eventually become one of the best options you could choose.
The potential to fast track your orthodontics is something that’s sure to appeal to many, so once this technology becomes more mainstream, it’ll become very common to have this work carried out.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s safe to say that braces aren’t your only option if you want to achieve a perfect smile. There have been great improvements in dental technology over the last decade, so if you’ve always wanted to improve your teeth – but you’ve been scared to go through the ordeal of having a long-term brace fitted – then it may be worth revisiting the idea and exploring one of the many new options available to you.
With so many fantastic alternatives now available, there’s never been a better time to book a consultation with your orthodontist and discovering the fantastic new types of treatment they have to offer.
