Many of us want a more even smile, if just for esthetic reasons. However, correcting misalignment also offers a number of oral health benefits as well. When it comes to improving the alignment of your smile, you have options. Do you need ClearCorrect or braces to help address crooked or crowded teeth?
Reasons to Correct Misalignment
Uneven teeth can make thorough brushing and flossing difficult, increasing the chances of tooth decay, gum inflammation (gingivitis), and even gum disease. In addition, the strain malocclusion can place on the jaw joints makes the chances of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding/jaw clenching) developing more likely. Finally, you feel self-conscious about your appearance and less confident when meeting someone new.
Traditional Braces
We may recommend traditional braces to address serious cases of misalignment. Treatment involves attaching metal brackets to the front of the teeth and connecting them with an arch wire. The dentist or orthodontist then adjusts the tension to reposition the teeth. Treatment takes anywhere between 18 months and 2 years, depending on the severity of misalignment.
ClearCorrect
ClearCorrect doesn’t use brackets or wires. Instead, detailed impressions and photos are taken of the teeth and sent to a lab. There, a series of custom-made aligners will be made. Patients wear one of the clear plastic aligners every day for between 20 and 23 hours, upgrading to a new one about once every two weeks. We recommend this for patients over the age of 16 who have minor alignment issues. We can examine your smile to see if you qualify for treatment. If you have any questions about ClearCorrect or braces, then please contact our office today. We can start you on the road toward a more even and beautiful smile.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY(including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
