Teeth alignment is an integral part of dentistry. If you have crooked teeth, it is highly possible that you’ll not be able to laugh and speak confidently and slowly your confidence will dwindle. It is best to correct crooked teeth at an early age and restore your child’s confidence. Teeth alignment can be done for both children and adults and it requires wearing invisible braces (the most preferred ones) or retainers. There are different types of braces available. Get in touch with your dentist to know which variety is best suited for you.
Types of braces
- Metal/ ceramic braces: Some of the common misalignment issues like – cross bite, open bites, deep bites, crooked or crowded teeth can be corrected using traditional metal or ceramic braces. Usually, people opt for this variety to decrease the visibility of prominent metal braces.
- Lingual braces: Lingual braces are custom made brackets and intelligent wires fixed on the back of the teeth making them invisible from the front. These particular kind of braces are known to deliver targeted results and give you a beautiful smile.
- Clear aligners/ Misaligned: Invisible braces or clear aligners are the latest trends. You can wear braces, yet not be conscious about your smile. They’ll straighten your teeth like traditional braces and are made with clear medical grade plastic aligners fabricated with our expertise and 3D computer imaging software. These braces consist a set of two clear trays that need to be replaced every 2 weeks.
- Retainers: Once the alignment procedure is done, it is imperative to wear retainers. This will help keep your teeth in shape and they’ll not be able to move back to original positions. A slight amount of relapse is inevitable, but retainers are won until the underlying bone has reformed into the corrected tooth position. There are some retainers that can be removed, while others are bonded on the underside of the teeth.
Dental crowns
Dental crowns are caps that are used to cover teeth. The procedure is done to restore the tooth’s shape and size, increase its strength, or make its appearance look prettier. There are various kinds of crowns available – full porcelain, metal fused to porcelain, and full metallic crowns. It is best that you talk to your dentist and ask which of these would be perfect for you. Crowns are necessary in the following situations –
- Large cavities that cannot be filled
- After root canal treatment
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Missing teeth (usually a bridge is needed in this case)
- Coverage of dental implants
- To restore cracked, weak, or chipped tooth
Dental bridges are usually anchored on each side by a natural tooth crown that gives the strength for the bridge to operate properly. Another kind of dental bridge comprises the replacement tooth connected to the adjacent teeth with wing like appendages. In most cases, dental bridges are used to fill in the space due to multiple teeth, though they may be used to replace just one too.
4 things you must know about dental crowns before getting them
- Why do you need a dental crown?
Your dentist is the best judge and will be able to tell you whether you need dental crown and what is the best suitable material for you. If your tooth is cracked or chipped, is the tooth completely decayed, or is it needed after root canal treatment.
- Does it hurt to get dental crowns/ bridges?
It doesn’t hurt to get dental crowns or bridges. The dentist will give you local anesthesia to numb the area and the procedure will be done in a painless manner. The process is relatively quick, and a properly fixed crown will not give any sort of discomfort.
- How long will the dental crown last?
The durability of dental crowns and bridges is different depending upon their base material. High quality porcelain crowns usually last for 15 – 25 years. The main thing to keep in mind is that the dental crowns also need regular care.
- What care will the crown need?
Just like your teeth, you just regularly brush and floss your crowns as well. Make sure to use a mouth wash to get rid of bacteria build-up. Avoid eating chewy and hard things. Don’t open bottles or packages with your teeth, and don’t chew ice.