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Misaligned teeth are not uncommon, but they can make people feel self-conscious. You may have crooked teeth for a variety of reasons:
Fortunately, if you have crooked teeth, there are a wealth of ways to correct your teeth and give you that perfect smile. And, no, you don’t necessarily need braces to do it.
Braces are one of the most well-known ways to fix crooked teeth — and there are two different types of braces from which to choose.
While braces are a common way to fix crooked teeth, you don’t necessarily need them. You also have other treatment options to straighten your teeth. Here’s how to fix crooked teeth without braces:
Clear aligners, also known as invisible braces (such as from Invisalign, Byte, Candid, or Smile Direct Club), are removable plastic trays that fit over your teeth.
The clear tray is custom-made to gradually shift your teeth. Unlike traditional and ceramic braces that need to be tightened as the teeth move, these trays need to be replaced every one to two weeks.
While clear aligners are not necessarily as strong as traditional or ceramic braces, they are more aesthetically appealing for many people who don’t want the look of braces. One of the other advantages is that clear aligners can be removed while eating or drinking. But the best results come from wearing them for at least 20 to 22 hours per day.
Cosmetic dentistry for teeth misalignment options includes veneers, dental bonds, and crowns.
While these dental care options don’t necessarily fix crooked teeth, they can enhance the appearance of crooked teeth by making them look straight. This can, in turn, boost your self-esteem with a more beautiful smile.
Custom-made clip-on veneers are high-quality removable veneers. First, an impression of your teeth is made. Then the impression is sent to a dental lab. The dental lab technicians create a custom-fit set of veneers for you, which then get mailed out.
Snap-on Smile and Alpha Veneers are two of the most popular custom-made removable veneers companies.
The Snap-On Smile process all takes place at a dental office. The removable veneers typically cost $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 veneers are $549 for a single arch and $749 for a dual arch.
Alpha Veneers cost less because they are a direct-to-consumer company. They mail you an impression kit, then send it to a dental lab, and return your veneers to your home. Their treatment model is very similar to at-home clear aligner treatments such as byte, Candid Co, and ALIGNERCO.
Clip-On Veneers from a professional dental lab in 3 simple steps:
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 you decide which option is best for you.
Braces — $2,500-$8,000
Clear aligners and retainers — $3,500-$8,000
Porcelain Veneers — $925-$2,500 (per tooth)
Composite Veneers — $250-$1,500 (per tooth)
Removable Veneers — $470-$600 (for both upper and lower teeth impressions)
Lumineers — $800-$2,000 (per tooth)
Direct Composite Dental Bonding — $300-$600 (per tooth)
Direct Composite Veneer Bonding — $250-$1,500 (per tooth)
Indirect Dental Bonding (Inlays) — $650-$1,200 (per tooth)
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns — $875-$1,400 (per tooth)
Ceramic (Porcelain) Crowns — $800-$3,000 (per tooth)
Metal and Gold Crowns — $800-$1,400 (per tooth)
Stainless Steel Crowns — $300-$500 (per tooth)
All-Resin Crowns — $600-$1,300 (per tooth)
Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about crooked teeth.
You have multiple options to straighten your teeth fast, from braces to clear aligners to cosmetic dentistry. 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 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 feel 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 isn’t too severe, clear aligners can indeed shift your teeth and your jawline to fix it. If it’s severe, you may need to talk to your orthodontist about a different treatment plan.
“3 Ways Cosmetic Dentistry Can Fix Crooked Teeth: Shippensburg.” Dr. Zachary S. Sisler, DDS, 5 May 2020, www.drsisler.com/2019/06/01/3-ways-cosmetic-dentistry-can-fix-crooked-teeth/.
“Different Types of Orthodontic Braces & How To Know Which Is Right For You.” CHT Orthodontics, 13 Apr. 2017, chtortho.com/types-of-braces.
“Invisalign, Braces or Surgery – Which Is Best to Fix Your Overbite?” Dentistry for Madison LLC Invisalign Braces or Surgery Which Is Best to Fix Your Overbite Comments, www.dentistryformadison.com/invisalign-braces-or-surgery-which-is-best-to-fix-your-overbite/.
Markham, Dr. “The Best Way to Straighten One or Two Crooked Teeth.” Markham Orthodontics, 18 Dec. 2017, www.markhamorthodontics.com/best-way-straighten-one-two-crooked-teeth/.
“How to Fix Crowded or Crooked Teeth?” Rome Orthodontics, 3 Dec. 2019, www.romeorthodontics.com/blog/crooked-teeth/.