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Crooked teeth are not uncommon, but can make you feel self-conscious.
You may have crooked teeth for a variety of reasons:
Teeth misalignment can occur at any age. When detected early, these issues can be easily resolved with treatments like braces, headgear, cosmetic dentistry, or clear aligners.
Clear aligners can save you thousands of dollars compared to braces. Learn about clear aligners.
Yes.
Overlapping teeth are more difficult to clean and can lead to bite problems. As a result, you're at a higher risk for the following:
Fortunately, if you have crooked teeth, there are many ways to fix and enhance your smile. And you don’t necessarily need braces to do it.
Here are the top 4 ways to fix crooked teeth:
Braces are one of the most well-known ways to fix crooked teeth. There are three types of braces to choose from:
Traditional braces are made of high-grade stainless steel.
The metal brackets attach to each tooth using an orthodontic glue. The brackets are attached together with a thin archwire that has tiny elastic ligatures. This structure puts pressure on your teeth, slowly moving them into the correct position.
Ceramic braces are clear braces, also known as esthetic or porcelain braces.
They’re the same shape and size as metal braces and work in the same way. The key difference is that they blend in with your natural tooth color, so they’re less noticeable. The main disadvantage is that they tend to be slightly more brittle than traditional metal braces.
Lingual braces attach to the back of your teeth (where your tongue hits when you speak).
Traditional braces use a wire that is bent into a horseshoe form. However, the wire on lingual braces can be custom fixed to the contours of your mouth. This process can potentially shorten treatment time. You may have a temporary lisp or speech interference when you first start treatment.
Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces, are removable plastic trays that fit over your teeth.
The clear trays are custom-made to gradually shift your teeth. Unlike traditional and ceramic braces that need to be tightened as your teeth move, these trays are replaced every one to two weeks.
While clear aligners are not necessarily as strong as traditional or ceramic braces, they are more aesthetically appealing to many people who don’t like the look of braces.
Another advantage of clear aligners is that they are removable and easy to clean (unlike braces). For best results, you have to wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day.
There are two types of clear aligner options:
Veneers, dental bonds, and crowns are three cosmetic dentistry options for mildly crooked teeth.
While these options don’t actually fix crooked teeth, they can enhance their appearance by making them look straight.
Veneers are a simple aesthetic solution for crooked teeth. These composite or porcelain shells cover the front surface of teeth to make them look straight.
Most types of veneers are expensive and permanent.
Clip-on veneers are cheap, custom-made removable veneers. Snap-on Smile and Alpha Veneers are two of the most popular brands.
The Snap-On Smile process takes place at a dental office and typically costs $1,000 to $3,500 per arch. Some dentists may charge as low as $500 per arch.
'Occasional Wear Alpha Veneers' cost $299 for a single arch and $499 for both. 'Regular Wear Alpha Veneers' cost $549 for a single arch and $749 for a dual arch.
The first step is to order an impression kit online. After you take the impressions at home, you'll send them back to the company.
Your impression is sent to a dental lab, where technicians will create a custom-made set of veneers. These veneers are mailed back to you within a few weeks.
Veneers cover the entire front surface of a tooth, while bonds only cover a portion of a tooth.
Dental bonding requires one office visit and is cost-effective, while veneers take two or more appointments. Bonds are also reversible.
This procedure involves tooth restructuring, which is then followed by placing a porcelain or metal crown over the top of the tooth. Dental crowns are typically only used for restorative reasons (rarely for cosmetic purposes).
We recommend at-home clear aligners if you have mild teeth misalignment. View our top recommendations.
The cost of fixing a crooked smile varies depending on the structure of your teeth and jawline, your dental health, and the orthodontic treatment you choose.
Your orthodontist can help decide which option is best for you:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Braces | $2,500-$8,000 |
| Clear aligners | $1,200-$8,000 |
| Dental bonding | $250-$1,500 (per tooth) |
| Veneers | $470-$2,500 (per tooth) |
| Dental crowns | $300-$3,000 (per tooth) |
Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about crooked teeth:
There are a few ways to straighten teeth fast, including braces, clear aligners, and certain cosmetic dental treatments.
All of these solutions are effective, but exactly how long it will take to straighten your teeth depends on how crooked they are.
Other factors such as dental insurance (or lack thereof), budget, and oral health standing may also impact your treatment time.
Fixing one crooked tooth is a lot easier than fixing a mouthful of crooked teeth.
Traditional or ceramic braces may be unnecessary, but clear aligners could help.
Likewise, getting a single veneer or dental bond to adjust the appearance of your crooked tooth could also correct your smile.
Yes, most braces can fix an overbite or underbite by putting pressure on the teeth to align them properly.
Depending on the severity of the overbite, you may need to wear your braces for longer to get a well-aligned, straight smile.
If your overbite is not severe, Invisalign may be able to shift your teeth and jawline. If it is severe, talk to your orthodontist about a different treatment plan.
The best cheap options for fixing crooked and misaligned teeth include removable veneers and at-home aligners.
However, these treatment options only work for minor to moderate misalignment cases. If you have severe dental crowding, more invasive treatment will be necessary.
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What’s Next?
The most popular at-home clear aligner kits can be found right here:
