4 Ways to Straighten Teeth

 Everyone wants to have nice teeth. It's one of the few parts of our body that is impractical to cover up (unless you never plan to smile or eat in public). So, for those of us who have issues with one or more crookedteeth, it can be an embarrassing dilemma. If you are considering a dental consultation, here are some of the potential remedies for straightening your teeth.

1. Veneers - Also referred to as "capping teeth," veneers are used when there are minor imperfections with your teeth, or when you only have a few teeth that are crooked and cannot be fixed with braces. Your tooth will be shaved to create a flat or shallow surface. When the imperfection is removed with the shaving process, the tooth will be overlaid with porcelain to create a uniform appearance in your mouth.

2. Braces - The common belief surrounding braces is that you will have a mouthful of metal for years. That couldn't be further from the truth. Not only have braces become more discreet, but there are also options that can have you in and out of braces in six months or less.

Accelerated orthodontics is a combination of dental surgery and orthodontic reinforcement techniques that can take as little as a quarter of the time of traditional braces. One of the reasons that makes the acceleration process possible is that your orthodontist may not focus on your back teeth if he or she does not have to. Accelerated orthodontics may involve periodontal surgery. This is performed with a local anesthesia. While you will feel some minor discomfort for a few days after the procedure, it is less painful than traditional orthodontics.

3. Tooth Contouring & Reshaping - Tooth contouring is often a preferred method cosmetic dentistry, since it can be performed in a single session with your dentist. They will remove a small amount of the enamel using a drill or laser, sculpt the sides of your teeth with abrasive strips, and then polish your tooth. Some ideal candidates for tooth contouring are those with chipped teeth, teeth that are uneven in length, or have crooked teeth.

4. Invisalign - While it's a pricier route than other tooth reshaping techniques, you may want to consider Invisalign. The Invisalign system is used by dentists and orthodontists as an alternative to metal braces. It is a series of retainer-like mouthpieces that shapes your teeth. However, this method works best for those whose teeth misalignment is relatively minor. According to the medical-device company that makes Invisalign, Align Technology, more than 35,790 doctors are trained to provide Invisalign treatment in the U.S.

We recently moved to the Vancouver, WA area and my father retired after 40 years as a dentist so we were looking for a dentist in Vancouver WA and found Sheron Dental. Being from a family of dentists I was happy to find that they take as much pride in their work as he did. There has also been some advancements in dental technology and procedures one of which they've adopted called 6 Month Smiles where they can do a cosmetic straightening of your teeth in as little as 6 months. My wife and children both go there as well and everyone has really enjoyed it.