Your smile is your primary method of communication. It sets the tone for your first interaction with others and reveals something about your personality. So if you aren’t smiling because of your crooked teeth, you aren’t showing people your true self.

But crooked teeth aren’t an issue reserved for the self-conscious. Even people who don’t have confidence issues but have crooked teeth are in pain from cavities and teeth grinding.

In this article, you’ll learn four great solutions for straightening crooked teeth that give you that gorgeous smile that makes you feel great and is sure to improve your oral health at the same time!

1. Dental Braces

If you have crowded teeth or misalignment, braces are the best option for all dental procedures. They’re inexpensive, can be easily removed for special occasions, and can straighten teeth in a relatively short period (generally 1-2 years).

Braces aren’t always the best choice, in any case. They have some downsides. One downside is the cost, starting at $1,500 but can run as high as $5,000!

They are more noticeable than other solutions, which for many self-conscious people causes a sense of embarrassment. Braces can also get dirty at speed as food gets stuck in them. Good cleaning practice is one of many things to ask when seeing your dentist.

2. Invisalign

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces that uses clear aligners and is nearly invisible! The aligners are so comfortable some people even wear them at night, making them one of the best options for crooked teeth.

Because the aligners are removable, you have the option of leaving them off when they would be visible (at work or in class) and only putting them on for special occasions. Just make sure you keep up with your schedule!

Invisalign aligners are available via a licensed dentist. These specialists work with design software to craft a custom treatment plan that amends your bite and positions the teeth to their ideal place.

It’s vital that you don’t wear the aligners longer than recommended, or they could shift your teeth out of position. It can be uncomfortable, cause damage, and end up tossing away the time and money you’ve spent on treatment.

3. Removable Dentures

If you only need a few teeth replaced, dentures are an excellent option for replacing them. Denture teeth are acrylic and colored to match the pigment in your natural teeth. Removable dentures in particular are attached with detachable clasps for cleaning.

You can eat just about anything you want, and removable dentures can even improve your oral health by conveniently keeping staining foods out of your mouth! They also help prevent gums from receding as your teeth move into place.

The obvious downside to removable dentures is that they are removable. So they can get lost or damaged with ease. Some people have a hard time getting used to them as well. It takes time and practice to learn how best to use them in social situations, and they’re often distracting.

4. Fixed Dentures

If you’re missing more than a few teeth, removable dentures won’t be enough. Fixed dentures are permanently attached to your teeth. You can use them for a wide range of purposes, including the restoration of an entire mouthful of teeth.

The main downside to fixed dentures is that they’re expensive and time-consuming! Replacing an entire mouth of teeth can take up to a year and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Much like dentures, fixed dentures attach to your teeth with clasps. They can be removed for cleaning but are more permanent than removable dentures.

Give Your Crooked Teeth the Treatment They Deserve

There are a few ways that orthodontics can fix crooked teeth. Examples include fixed appliances such as braces, lingual appliances such as Invisalign, and removable appliances such as dentures and aligners. Choosing a solution depends on how bad your teeth are and your end goal.

If you want straight teeth but don’t want anyone to know you’re wearing braces, Invisalign is the way to go. Suppose your protruding front teeth alter your smile, and you don’t take advantage of every smile that comes your way. In that case, clear braces can be a great option.

For those who have crooked teeth due to gaps or underbites/overbites, then complete dentures may be the crooked teeth treatment for you! Remember: visiting an orthodontist is both affordable and painless!