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How to Choose the Best Teeth Straightening Treatment for You

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Getting your teeth straightened for the perfect smile not only gives you a perfect set of pearlies but also makes chewing and speech easier. This is aside from the confidence boost and improvement in dental hygiene. As straightened teeth are easier to brush and floss, it dramatically reduces the chances of developing gum diseases, periodontitis, tooth decay and other disease conditions like stroke and heart and lung diseases too. Incidences of headaches and tension in the jaw are also reduced once crooked or crowded teeth are straightened out.

If you are interested in having your teeth aligned, then you will need to see an orthodontist. They are specialized dentists who deal with teeth straightening through the steady application of pressure, resulting in orthodontic tooth movement. Depending on the type and severity of misalignment, the orthodontist can prescribe braces, clear aligners or retainers. Dental surgery is also considered in rare cases with severe bite issues.

Orthodontic tooth Movement

The success of teeth alignment procedures is dependent on how teeth respond to the treatment. The steady pressure applied on the tooth sets off a complex bio-mechanical process in the root and its surrounding tissues. Resultant movement is the incredible by-product of interaction between bone tissues, ligaments, cells and cell signaling chemicals. An important point to note here is that trying to accelerate tooth movement can have adverse, damaging effects on the root and its surrounding tissues and is best avoided.

There are two popular options for teeth alignment and both work on the same principle of constant application of force on the tooth. Over the course of treatment, the teeth get straightened out. The two popular options include:

Traditional Metal Braces

While they are very effective in correcting even severe cases of misaligned teeth, metal braces leave you with a mouth full of metal brackets, ligature elastic, archwire and bonding material. The tighter the wire connecting the brackets, the more the pressure applied on the tooth. The downside to metal braces is that they are very conspicuous and uncomfortable. Aside from that, maintaining oral hygiene becomes a challenge as food debris tends to get stuck in-between them, leading to tooth decay.

Clear Aligners

Advancing technology has meant the advent of a more discrete, but equally effective way of straightening teeth. Clear aligners are a preferred option by adults as they are less visible. This is a popular treatment choice and involves application of a series of clear plastic aligner trays that are slightly tighter than the previous one. The aligner trays will need to be replaced every 1-2 weeks till the teeth reach the desired position.

The best aspect of clear aligners is that they are almost invisible and can't be seen easily. Since they are removable, you can slip them off when its time to eat and pop them on again when done. There are no concerns with oral hygiene either as the braces can be removed for brushing and flossing. As compared to traditional braces, clear aligners are definitely more comfortable, without causing any irritation of the cheek lining or gums.

All these and more make clear aligners the best choice for those wanting to straighten their teeth. What’s more, there are more than a dozen brands of clear aligners for you to choose from. Of these, the OrthoFX clear aligners stand out as they work faster and more effectively. This is by virtue of the unique triple-layered material used and its dual-shelled design which ensures greater comfort and shorter treatment regimes.