A lot of people do not have a smile they can proudly flash at others because of teeth that are uneven or that have gaps. This is commonly corrected with wearing metallic braces. Many people are adverse to them because they are so conspicuous. Fortunately, there are options for teeth straightening without metal braces.
Clear plastic aligners are one option. They are invisible and both children and adults can use them. They are easy to take off when eating and there is no issue of food getting stuck in them as with metallic ones. One can also take them off to brush and floss with no hassle.
Impressions are taken and a digital three dimensional image is generated. Using these, a customised treatment plan is formulated and customized BPA-free plastic aligners are made. The plan takes into account how each tooth moves until it is correctly positioned. The aligners are changed every two weeks with a new set for the next stage of treatment. Check ups are done only every 6 weeks until treatment is completed.
Another option is lingual braces. They resemble the usual wire ones but they are fitted to the inner tooth surface at the back. Their drawback is that they can be rather uncomfortable. However, they are invisible and unlike clear aligners, they can be used to correct even severe cases.
There are more options available. They combine the features of invisible aligners and wire braces as well. They are invisible like plastic aligners and they work by exerting pressure on teeth to compel them to fall into position. They give results faster compared to invisible aligners and only a single set is used. This option is also less expensive.
There also braces that have no friction at all. Neither do they have elastic ties so there is less irritation of the gum. They are more comfortable and give faster results than standard ones. A new development in orthodontics is the six month smile treatment which has tooth colored brackets and wires. It straightens only the teeth that are seen when one smiles. Particular nickel wires are used and treatment is complete in 6 months.
There is also the alternative of porcelain veneers. These do not actually straighten but create an illusion of a smile that is flawless. They work well where the misalignment is slight. It takes only a day to put them in. They also enhance the colour and shape of teeth but some segments of a tooth need to be removed for the veneer to be fixed. They also need to be touched up periodically. With all these options for teeth straightening without metal braces, you should soon have a smile you are proud of.