How to Straighten Teeth Without Doing Metal Braces

Why Is Having Straight Teeth Important?

Having straighter teeth can improve your facial appearance and confidence. A person who is self-conscious about their smile will tend to smile with lips closed together or with their hand covering the mouth, which can come across as awkward.

Speech and eating may be improved after braces treatment with straight teeth as braces not only straighten teeth but improve how the teeth fit together as well.

asian girl with metal braces smiling in the park

What Treatments are Available to Straighten My Teeth?

  1. Traditional Metal braces move teeth using wires and metal brackets bonded to your teeth and held in place with colourful rubber bands. These braces are the most commonly seen, especially in young children and teenagers. However, this is usually the most painful option as the metal parts of the braces can rub against and cut the gums,lips and cheeks.
  2. Damon clear Ceramic braces are also available that blend into your tooth colour. Newer types of braces such as Damon do not have rubber bands around the braces, which tend to trap food and bacteria, and so are easier to keep clean after meals.
    Damon self-ligating braces are a revolutionary shift in braces treatment, with many advantages over traditional braces, more comfortable, less pain and much shorter treatment time, even for complex cases.
  3. Invisalign. These transparent aligners which are virtually invisible allow you to smile with confidence. Invisalign is able to offer a more aesthetically pleasing for teeth straightening treatment compared to the traditional metal braces. The clear aligner trays are almost invisible, therefore it is the preferred option for people who want to look good and present a professional image.
  4. Ceramic Veneers. Veneers are custom made to suit the shape, size, and colour (shade) of your face. Different teeth shapes will impart a different personality to the smile. These are thin shells of ceramic that are adhered to the tooth on the front.
  5. Crown. On a tooth that has been heavily damaged due to root canal treatments and large cavities, The crown restores both structure and strength that have been compromised by chips and cracks.
  6. Dental implants. For missing teeth or gaps, a dental implant is a great option to restore the gap. This is a very small but strong post which replaces a missing tooth. Properly done, it can look absolutely natural like the neighbouring teeth.

Which Treatment is Suitable for Me?

woman holding invisalign aligners and normal braces

Orthodontic teeth straightening, which refers to any type of braces or Invisalign, is usually appropriate for the majority of cases where teeth straightening is desired. The teeth that are in a poor position, perhaps due to overcrowding, or poor bite, can be moved into their proper position to result in a beautiful and natural smile.

In cases when there is minimal crowding of the teeth, or if the current shape and the size of the teeth is not proportionate to the facial aesthetics, then crowns or veneers can be done instead.

Generally speaking, a crown is done if the teeth are decayed or a root canal procedure has been carried out, resulting in not enough material left for the dentist to place a veneer.

Veneers are approximately 0.5-1mm in thickness, and used on the outer tooth surface. This means your original structure is kept intact as much as possible. This saves you money in the long run. The material is placed with the shape of your smile in mind.

References

  1. Us7077647b2 - Systems and Methods For Treatment Analysis By Teeth Matching
    (https://patents.google.com/patent/US7077647B2/en)
  2. Orthodontic Treatment with a Series Of Removable Appliances
    David Chenin-Andrew Trosien-Patricia Fong-Robert Miller-Rodney Lee - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002817714650881)
  3. How Well Does Invisalign Work? A Prospective Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy Of Tooth Movement with Invisalign
    Neal Kravitz-Budi Kusnoto-Ellen BeGole-Ales Obrez-Brent Agran - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19121497)
  4. The Rationale, Evolution and Clinical Application Of the Self‐ligating Bracket
    D.H. Damon - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ocr.1998.1.1.52)
  5. Initial Arch Wires For Tooth Alignment During Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed Appliances - Jian, F - 2013: Cochrane Library
    Jian-Wenli Lai-Susan Furness-Grant McIntyre-Declan Millett-Joy Hickman-Yan Wang - (https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007859.pub3/abstract)
  6. Self-ligating Versus Invisalign: Analysis Of Dento-alveolar Effects
    Chiara Pavoni-Roberta Lione-Giuseppina Laganà-Paola Cozza - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3254387/)

10 Things You Should Know Before You Start Invisalign

Invisalign is an innovative orthodontic treatment that allows your dentist to design your smile. It is a patented technology which uses proprietary software and state-of-the-art aligner material which is designed to be more comfortable and effective in orthodontic treatment. The dentist takes 3D scans of your teeth to produce an impression of your teeth. This impression is sent to Invisalign which uses the digital model to create a clinical simulation created using Invisalign’s proprietary software called Clincheck that is used to fabricate your personalised aligner trays that help to realign your teeth for a straighter smile. This Clincheck allows you to visualise every step of your treatment plan and provide a clear timeline of your treatment duration, while traditional metal braces are only able to provide an approximate duration of your treatment time. Wearing these aligner trays applies pressure onto your teeth which moves them gradually until they are in their desired position.

Invisalign refers to orthodontic treatment using clear and removable trays which are custom fitted to your mouth.

Invisalign tooth aligners

These transparent aligners which are virtually invisible allow you to smile with confidence. Invisalign is able to offer a more aesthetically pleasing for teeth straightening treatment compared to the traditional metal braces. Wearing Invisalign braces presents a more aesthetic image compared to the very visible brackets or wires of traditional wires. The clear aligner trays are almost invisible, therefore it is the preferred option for people who want to look good and present a professional image.

Invisalign is suitable for people of any age.

Invisalign treatment is best utilised for people who are responsible and committed to wearing their aligners for 22 or more hours a day. Parents are able to keep tabs on their children’s wear if they opt for blue compliance indicators on their aligners to make sure they are worn for an adequate amount of time.

Wearing Invisalign aligners means no to drinking fizzy and sugary drinks.

no soda and sugary drinks

This is to prevent pooling of the beverage in your mouth which may cause tooth decay. This is important as Invisalign aligners are worn for most of the day. For best treatment results and to mitigate tooth decay, patients are advised to adhere to only drinking water while wearing their aligners. Other beverages can still be consumed by taking out your aligners, drinking quickly, and then brushing your teeth and flossing before replacing your aligners.

Invisalign aligner trays are removable which means more flexibility in eating and activities.

The ability to remove the aligners makes it easy to enjoy your favourite foods, play sports, and brush and floss to keep your teeth clean without having food stuck in the brackets or wires of traditional braces. In traditional braces, it is easy for food or plaque to get stuck or accumulate in the metal brackets resulting in poor dental hygiene. Playing sports while wearing traditional metal braces is also a concern as there is a risk of getting hit in the mouth and damaging the brackets and wires.

Invisalign needs to be worn throughout the day for 20-22 hours.

Even though Invisalign is removable, patients have a responsibility to wear the aligners for most of the day in order for the treatment to be effective and produce the best results which is a straighter smile.

Teeth whitening can be performed with Invisalign.

As you are wearing the Invisalign aligner trays for most of the day, make the most of the effort by whitening your teeth. Invisalign trays are custom fit to your teeth, so you could whiten your teeth, while straightening them at the same time. Please consult your dentist for advice before doing this, as using whitening gels while the Invisalign attachments are on your teeth will result in a patchy, uneven whitening result. Your dentist will be able to advise you if it is possible to whiten your teeth during the Invisalign, and when the best timing would be as well.

Your aligners and retainers are not the same.

dental aligners and retainers

The material used to fabricate your aligners are not designed to be wear resistant and they would not retain the shape and position of your teeth. After your Invisalign orthodontic treatment, your dentist will prescribe fixed or removable retainers for you. It is important to wear your retainers nightly so that your teeth do not become misaligned again.

Most Invisalign cases involve attachments or buttons for more complex cases.

Typically the more complex the orthodontic treatment, the more attachments are required. These attachments are necessary for cases where teeth need to be rotated or pulled down. These attachments are small, tooth coloured composites bonded onto certain teeth and assist the aligners in retention and helping to move teeth to the correct position. These attachments create anchor points that apply pressure to move certain teeth. They are usually unobtrusive and barely visible.

Brushing and flossing after each meal and before re-inserting your retainers is a must.

Wearing your aligners means that your teeth are constantly in contact with whatever liquid or food substance you have consumed. Therefore maintaining your teeth hygiene is a must when wearing your aligners. This routine of keeping up with oral hygiene habits is beneficial even after Invisalign treatment.

We are an Invisalign platinum elite provider.

Dental Designs Invisalign Platinum Elite Provider

Our dentists are Invisalign accredited, and our clinic has achieved the Invisalign Platinum Elite recognition. Our dentists have extensive Invisalign experience and are able to treat a wide variety of teeth conditions.

References

  1. Esthetic Orthodontic Treatment Using the Invisalign Appliance For Moderate To Complex Malocclusions
    Robert Boyd - (http://www.jdentaled.org/content/72/8/948)
  2. Patient Perceptions Of Speech, Discomfort, and Salivary Flow While Wearing Invisalign® Aligners - Research
    William Jr - (https://www.orthopracticeus.com/research/patient-perceptions-speech-discomfort-salivary-flow-wearing-invisalign-aligners)
  3. Clinical Limitations Of Invisalign
    Xiem Phan-Paul Ling - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17439714)
  4. Esthetic Orthodontic Treatment Using the Invisalign Appliance For Moderate To Complex Malocclusions
    Robert Boyd - (http://www.jdentaled.org/content/72/8/948.short)
  5. Advances in Digital Technology and Orthodontics: a Reference To the Invisalign Method.
    Aristides Melkos - (https://www.medscimonit.com/abstract/index/idArt/16149/act/3)
  6. Periodontal Health During Clear Aligners Treatment: a Systematic Review
    Rossini- Gabriele- Simone- Tommaso- Andrea- Debernardi-Cesare L. - (https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/37/5/539/2599972)

Which is better, Braces or Invisalign?

Think of the first time you are introduced to someone. It is said that we judge people within the first 3 seconds based on their appearance, style and grooming. We want to send a strong positive image so that the first impression is a good one. A genuine and warm smile is part of what makes a great impression, and socially, straight white teeth connote health, youthfulness and energy. Most people are not born with perfect hair, and the same goes for teeth.

Luckily, having straight teeth is not an impossible goal. Advances in dentistry have made it possible to straighten and whiten teeth, in order to give you a great smile that people will remember and know you by.

Are Metal Braces The Only Option?

metal braces

Traditionally, metal braces have been used to straighten teeth. We are all familiar with the sight of metal and colourful rubber bands on the teeth, and of course, the horror stories of the braces being so painful that you could eat only soft porridge, and having food such as leafy vegetables stuck on the braces. We may have experienced having metal braces on ourselves, or seen our friends in school undergo braces, which usually was a tedious process that took many years to finish.

It is not surprising that given such images about braces, that we would rather not subject ourselves to what has been described as ‘torture’. Also, as we move out of school and into the workforce, metal braces may appear less appropriate.

Metal braces are still being used, but today, it is not the only option we have. Advances in dentistry through the past decade have made more aesthetic and comfortable options available to us. We now have ceramic braces, which are white and less obvious on the teeth, as well as totally metal-free options such as Invisalign, which lets you straighten your teeth without affecting your appearance.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Braces vs Invisalign?

Braces come in two main types, metal braces, and ceramic braces. Both are fixed permanently on the teeth until the end of the treatment, and cannot be removed by yourself. This means that you need to be careful when eating, as hard or sticky foods will cause parts of the braces to dislodge or break. Being fixed on the teeth, the braces also will trap more food and bacteria, which means brushing with a special orthodontic toothbrush, as well as a smaller interdental brush, are necessary to remove all the food debris. If cleaning is not done properly, it is more likely for the teeth to decay, have cavities, and swollen bleeding gums.

If you grind your teeth during sleep (bruxism), it will have more forces on the teeth, causing them to wear out and get shorter. This also affects your braces as you will be exerting more pressure on the braces, causing them to dislodge.

If any part of your braces or wire breaks or dislodges, you will need to return to your dentist to repair it, and which may mean an additional unscheduled appointment, taking more time.

Braces are visible on the teeth, which may look out of place in a professional setting. They are usually associated with children or teenagers.

What Are The Pros And Cons of Invisalign Vs Braces?

Invisalign is popular with adults who find they prefer the close to invisible Invisalign, as you may not want people to know that you are straightening your teeth.

Comfort: Invisalign is more comfortable as it uses a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack which does not impinge on the gums, compared to the traditional braces with metal brackets and wires which rubs against the inner cheeks and gums causing irritation.

Aesthetics: Invisalign, like its name indicates, is almost invisible and suitable for adults who want to realign their teeth discreetly for a natural smile, while metal braces are silver or ceramic coloured (top-up for this option). Although it may cost more, the main reason is it is aesthetically pleasing as they are virtually invisible

Less Compromise on Your Lifestyle: You can eat or drink anything you like, without any restriction, as Invisalign is removed before you eat or drink. You also do not need to worry about having food stuck on the wires or brackets like in metal braces.

Less painful and more hygienic: Invisalign aligners can be removed for eating and cleaning (brushing and flossing). On the other hand, metal braces are fixed brackets and wires and are less hygienic than Invisalign as food can get stuck in the metal braces.

Saves your time and fewer doctor visits: Invisalign aligners require less maintenance and adjustment than metal braces which require more frequent visits to the dentist.

More Efficient Movement: Invisalign guides the patient through a clear step by the step treatment plan, allowing them to be clear about which stage your teeth are moving towards to shaping your desired smile.

Invisalign Sounds Too Good to Be True, What’s the Catch?

Invisalign aligner trays are removable, so the patient needs to be disciplined enough to wear it to prevent the teeth from moving and losing alignment, which means wearing the Invisalign aligners for at least 20 hours a day. If the patient is unable to be disciplined enough to follow this routine, metal braces are recommended as you cannot remove them and they will continue to move the teeth.

Cost is also higher for Invisalign, as it is a highly customised treatment for each individual patient. We need to send a detailed 3D model of your teeth to Invisalign in order to create a CAD design of your teeth, which is then programmed to move exactly as we want it, with control of dental movement, extent, direction, and velocity. The material of the Invisalign aligners are patented, and only able to be manufactured at the Invisalign plant.

A beautiful and natural smile can improve confidence. Studies have shown that people with straight teeth are perceived to be more successful in life. Crooked teeth trap food and promote bacteria growth that normal flossing and brushing cannot reach. Crowded teeth also prevent proper brushing and flossing and are harder to keep clean. Poor alignment of the upper and lower teeth can also cause issues with speech, lisping and increased pressure on the back teeth, such as in open bite cases. Correcting bite alignment may improve chewing, speech, or teeth grinding habits.

At Dental Designs Clinic, we offer all options of metal braces, Damon Self Ligating braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign.

The Dental Designs Difference

dental designs clinic

Dental Designs offers a customised treatment plan for each and every patient, as we believe everyone is unique.

Our philosophy is ‘no extraction whenever possible. 9 out of 10 patients we see have successfully straightened teeth without extractions. We will work with you to advise you on all your options, and advise you on the most suitable treatment plan for you where you are in control of how you desire your teeth to be aligned. Along the way, you will be guided by our dentist on how your teeth are aligned and adjusted along the way to achieve your final result of your choosing, even before you start your treatment with us.

References:

  1. Us5813854a - Orthodontic Brace Installation Device
    (https://patents.google.com/patent/US5813854A/en)
  2. Restorative and Invisalign: a new approach
    (https://europepmc.org/article/med/12214946)
  3. Evaluation Of Invisalign Treatment Effectiveness and Efficiency Compared with Conventional Fixed Appliances Using the Peer Assessment Rating Index
    Jiafeng Gu-Jack Tang-Brennan Skulski-Henry Fields-F. Beck-Allen Firestone-Do-Gyoon Kim-Toru Deguchi - (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889540616306758)
  4. Systematic review of self-ligating brackets
    (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2009.11.009)
  5. Self‐ligating Brackets and Treatment Efficiency
    Nigel Harradine - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1034/j.1600-0544.2001.40406.x)
  6. Discomfort associated with Invisalign and traditional brackets: A randomized, prospective trial
    (https://www.angle.org/doi/full/10.2319/091416-687.1)