Crooked and wonky teeth can affect the appearance of your smile, it can affect the health of your teeth and gums and it can have a negative impact on your self confidence, your mental health, and your overall well-being. Rest assured that if you have crooked or wonky teeth you are definitely not alone as misalignment of the teeth is very common.

Not many people have a perfect smile, even those who have undergone orthodontic treatment when they were younger. Crooked teeth occur as a result of many different reasons. It could be that you have a genetic predisposition to a crooked smile. An accident or an injury can cause misalignment of the teeth or more commonly, misalignment can occur if your jaw is too small to fit all of your teeth, if your teeth are larger in size than normal or if they are misshapen then this can result in overlapping and overcrowding. Some people have protruding front teeth and this can be because of thumb sucking when they were younger or prolonged use of a bottle or pacifier.

There are many different reasons why your teeth may be crooked or wonky however there are plenty of options to straighten your teeth as well. Teeth straightening is recommended when all of your adult teeth have erupted although some children can undergo orthodontic treatment too. Your dentist will be able to decide when it is right for you.  It is important therefore that you visit the dentist on a regular basis from a young age to prevent dental health complications in the future. If you have decided that you want to straighten your teeth as an adult then this is also an excellent decision; you can improve the appearance of your smile and enjoy better dental health for the rest of your life. You need to speak to your dentist and find out about the different options that are available for you.

Traditional braces

Traditionally, orthodontic treatment is carried out using metal dental braces that are fixed to the surface of your teeth. This method of teeth straightening has been used for over a century; it is tried and tested and it is effective for complex orthodontic cases. Traditional braces can be used in patients of all ages and on average the treatment time lasts between one to three years. You will achieve a neatly aligned smile that is aesthetically pleasing and also improves your dental health for the long term. Many patients find that traditional orthodontic braces are eye-catching and draw unwanted attention to the mouth. If this is the case and you do not want to draw further attention to your mouth then you need to speak to your dentist and find out about invisalign Macleod for discreet teeth straightening.

Invisalign Macleod

Invisalign Macleod is a modern alternative to traditional braces. It has already been used by more than 14 million patients across the world. First introduced in 1999, Invisalign Macleod quickly became a popular choice of teeth straightening amongst young teenagers and adult patients alike. Dentists have also straightened their teeth using Invisalign Macleod; Invisalign is highly effective although it is very different to traditional orthodontic treatment. It uses medical grade thermoplastic aligners to straighten your teeth. These are removable aligners, they are clear and almost invisible when they are in your mouth. They are designed using the latest in digital technology which means that they can produce excellent aesthetic results that are highly predictable. On average, the treatment time with Invisalign is between 6 and 18 months. This is shorter than traditional orthodontic treatment only because it is mainly used for mild or moderate orthodontic issues. If treating the same type of misalignment the treatment time will also be similar.

To find out if invisalign is suitable for you, you need to speak to your dentist and undergo a three-dimensional scan of your mouth. This scan will create a digital image of your teeth that can be manipulated to show you how Invisalign can address your issues. Your dentist will use these scan results to design a sequence of aligners to help you straighten your teeth. If you wish to go ahead with the process the aligners can be with you in as little as 3 weeks and you can begin straightening your teeth very soon. The initial fitting will be carried out by your dentist and the rest of the process can be carried out in the comfort of your own home. Speak to your dentist today to find out more about Invisalign and how teeth straightening can benefit you.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.