If your smile features crooked teeth, and you’re unhappy with how they look, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontics provide a few treatment options. Straight, white teeth will give you a smile that improves your self-image, as well as the impression you make on new acquaintances. Our dentists transform sub-par smiles into unforgettably attractive assets.
For gentle dental care and a wide range of preventive, restorative, prosthetic, and cosmetic services, turn to the professionals at Metro Dental Care. Our Denver dentists’ office is equipped with the latest technology, and our dentists are passionate about oral health, comfortable oral function, and beautiful smiles. Schedule your appointment now by calling 303-534-2626.
In today’s dental tips blog, you’ll learn about:
- The two main ways we correct crooked teeth
- Cosmetic bonding
- Porcelain veneers
- Invisalign clear orthodontic aligners
- Traditional dental braces
How Dentists Correct Crooked Teeth
To correct crooked teeth that do not interfere with good occlusion, you may opt to forego braces and instead choose purely cosmetic treatment. Occlusion is the relationship between upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed; correcting malocclusion often involves moving or restoring worn molars (back teeth).
Our dentists can reshape crooked front teeth with either porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding. These treatments change the shape of teeth crowns, meaning the part you see above the gumline.
If you suffer from mild to moderate malocclusion, the best option may be orthodontic therapy. Invisalign and braces shift teeth in their entirety, from root to crown. Orthodontics offers more than cosmetic correction. It can also correct malocclusion to deliver a healthy, balanced bite.
About Cosmetic Bonding
After preparing crooked teeth by removing some tooth enamel, cosmetic bonding reshapes teeth to deliver a pleasing appearance. The material used for bonding is the same composite resin used for white dental fillings. It begins as a liquid, tinted to match the tooth’s enamel. By layering the resin and drying it with a soft curing light, our cosmetic dentists give patients the look and feel of straight teeth, and the joy of owning a head-turning smile.
With good oral health and proper dental care, bonding can last seven to 10 years. Once teeth are reshaped to receive bonding, they will need the treatment repeated when it shows wear or discolors at the seams. We can also replace bonding with porcelain veneers.
About Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are permanently attached to the front surface of teeth. Like bonding, a porcelain veneer alters the appearance of a tooth’s crown. A dental ceramist handmakes each veneer by layering esthetic dental porcelain for a natural look. We usually place four to eight veneers on top teeth, and some patients also want their lower teeth veneered. Veneers not only address crooked teeth, but they can transform the color, shape, and overall appearance of individual teeth for an overall stunning result.
With good oral health and proper dental care, porcelain veneers can endure for 20 years or longer. If a veneer is damaged, it will need replacement.
About Invisalign
Now we transition to treatments that move teeth from root to crown. Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic system. Instead of relying on brackets and wires, Invisalign consists of a custom-made set of clear acrylic dental aligners. Wear each aligner for a few weeks, as directed by the dentist, and then move to the next in the series. Over six to 18 months, Invisalign aligners correct crooked teeth in the front, as well as in the back of the mouth.
Patients appreciate the ability to remove aligners when cleaning teeth, eating food, or for special occasions like weddings, speaking engagements, or photo shoots.
About Traditional Dental Braces
The tried-and-true method for straightening crooked teeth and correcting malocclusion is traditional dental braces. Today, however, braces are less bulky and obvious than in previous generations. Modern braces come with a variety of options: clear brackets, white brackets, or metal brackets. Wires made of nickel don’t stand out against teeth as acutely as steel wires. Your dentist can explain the options available after assessing your teeth, occlusion, and the space inside your mouth.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Call our Denver dentists’ office, Metro Dental Care, at 303-534-2626 and schedule a convenient appointment to speak with one of our talented and respected dentists. A conversation about your expectations, lifestyle, and health will help the dentist determine which treatments are best suited to straighten your crooked teeth. Your dream smile awaits, so give us a call today!