A good smile can be one of the greatest assets in a person’s life. It’s a small and simple thing but it pays back in so many ways. Stand out in the crowd, be remarkable, and best of all improve the complete health and appearance. But unfortunately, all of us are not blessed with a “good smile”. Medical conditions like crooked teeth can prevent a person from achieving that one gorgeous smile.
Do not worry, crooked, misaligned teeth are very common. Many children and adults have them. Sometimes Teeth aren’t perfectly aligned. However, if you’re unhappy, or if the teeth are causing pain or speech issue, aligning them by teeth straightening treatment can add personality and charm to your smile.
Causes
- Thumb-sucking:
Habits like Thumb sucking put pressure on the teeth, forcing them to move into a new position. It often causes a big gap between the two jaws.
- Dental Restoration:
Badly fixed dental implants can misalign natural teeth and thus making them to move in an unnatural position.
- Missing Teeth:
Early loss of milk teeth can affect the positioning of the remaining teeth. Sometimes it causes crowding.
- Ageing:
As we age, time can take a toll on the teeth. The decrease in density of the jaw bone over the years causes it to change shape and thus the natural alignment of the teeth.
- Gum Disease:
It can impact the teeth by making the teeth loose.
- Facial Injury:
If you’re into sports, an injury or trauma can cause your teeth to move. Cautions must be taken while playing.
- Genetic and Heredity:
If your family has a history of crooked teeth like one of your grandparents or parents had/have it, it’s possible that you will have it too.
Options for straightening teeth without a surgery
Performing surgery is the most efficient and permanent to solve the crooked teeth crisis. If the condition is not very severe, it can be correct by the following:
- Metal braces
These are attached to the teeth with brackets, bands and flexible wire. A headgear might be also used which is typically worn at night.
- Ceramic braces
These braces do not stand out like metal braces as the arch wires are clear or tooth coloured. These braces are very fragile, therefore not recommended to school children or a sportsperson.
- Invisible braces
Braces such as Invisalign are invisible. Generally worn by teens, these braces are custom made to fit the mouth. It may take a longer time to straighten teeth than the old-style ones.
- Lingual braces
The lingual surface is the side of the teeth that faces your tongue. These are another form of invisible braces. They’re expensive and not recommended for severely crooked teeth. Read more: Lingual braces
Teeth straightening surgery
Technically known as orthognathic surgery, teeth straightening surgery is often carried out in close conjunction with the application of orthodontic braces in individuals who have acute skeletal deficiencies. The surgery requires a hospital setting or an up-to-date dental clinic and use of instruments like plates, wires and screws. It should be performed by a professional dentist.
Do you need surgery?
If the braces have failed to achieve desirable results, teeth straightening surgery is recommended. Also, if you’re facing the following conditions, surgery is highly recommended.
- Chronic jaw pain
- Involuntary breathing through the mouth
- The inability of the lips to close together normally
- Having an open space between the jaws even when the mouth is closed
- Receding lower chin
- A protruding lower or upper jaw
Some people also experience extreme discomfort, headaches, joint ache and gum problems. Performing an orthognathic surgery can solve most of the problems. The perfect time for the surgery is when the teeth eruption is complete usually between the age of 13 to 15 years in case of girls and 16 to 18 years for boys. The whole procedure which may start with the installation of braces and end with the final removal of braces including the teeth straightening surgery may take a period of 1 to 3 years.
The risk associated with the surgery is very low, assuming the dentist is experienced. The cost of the surgery also varies with the condition of the patient. With the rise of medical tourism in India and an increase in the number of quality clinics and hospitals, the cost is much more affordable today. With high-end medical equipment, the error margin is very less.
Why Aesthetica?
Aesthetica, is the starting point for healthy smiles. Lead by Dr Kamlesh Kothari, the best cosmetic dentist in Kolkata and Howrah and a team of highly experienced and specialist dentists, our goal is to provide holistic dental health and elegant smiles to our patients by combining scientific knowledge & expertise. With convenient locations in Kolkata, Howrah and Shillong, we ensure the highest standards of hygiene with our sterilization procedures being monitored by the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. And because we’re committed to keeping you as comfortable as possible, we also offer automated email and SMS reminders, comprehensive treatment planning, transparent billing and almost nil waiting time.
