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How Patients Are Getting Straight Teeth without Orthodontic Treatment

Cherrywood Dental • Jun 28, 2017
Let’s be honest – nobody really wants to deal with braces.

Maybe you’re comfortable with all that brackets and wires entail because you’re just excited for the results. That’s why patients go through orthodontics, after all – to get straighter teeth, a more comfortable bite and a healthier smile. But if you hate the process, it makes the whole experience unpleasant and can even affect how satisfied you are with the results.

For patients with only mildly crooked teeth, there’s a better way.

That’s right – if only your front teeth are crooked but you have a healthy overall bite, you might not need to go through orthodontic treatment at all. Instead, you can discover a gorgeous grin with a simple set of porcelain veneers. The veneers we offer stand out from the rest for quite a few reasons – and if you keep reading, you’ll see why.

Meet Lumineers, the Friendlier Veneers

While porcelain veneers can make a big difference to patients’ teeth, the procedure sometimes leaves something to be desired. Patients may require significant tooth reduction in order for the veneers to fit over their teeth. This means that the natural tooth structure is drilled down to make room for the porcelain restoration. Tooth structure is lost, anesthesia is required, and temporaries must be worn in between appointments.

Lumineers evolved as a way to leave this frustrating process behind. They’re made of cerinate porcelain and are exceptionally thin – actually, no thicker than a contact lens. See for yourself with this comparison photo:
These veneers allow patients to transform their teeth without making big sacrifices. And if you have crooked front teeth, Lumineers could be appropriate for the straightening you’re seeking. That said, veneers aren’t appropriate for all crooked teeth – but there are a few ways you can figure out whether you’re a candidate at home.

Who Can Straighten Teeth with Lumineers?

Our upper and lower jaws work in harmony with one another. Our teeth should fit together comfortably when our jaws are at rest, and make chewing and biting comfortable. But that’s not how things always work out. Most of us aren’t born with a perfect smile – and even those that do can end up seeing their teeth shift as they age. Factors like gum disease, bruxism and other dental problems contribute to teeth moving and the bite changing.
Whether you had braces as a child and your bite has changed, or you’ve never undergone orthodontic treatment, you could be a candidate for Lumineers. Ask yourself the following questions to consider whether they might be the right option:

Are your front teeth the area that you’re hoping to straighten?
Lumineers are only appropriate for front teeth – back teeth require crowns to accommodate biting and chewing forces. Plus, since Lumineers make aesthetics a priority, they would be wasted on teeth that don’t show in your smile. But if your front teeth are crowded and overlap each other, or are spaced too far apart and have gaps between them, Lumineers could be perfect.

Do your back teeth fit together comfortably?
Using veneers to straighten your teeth isn’t going to resolve underlying issues with your bite. You will need to have a healthy occlusion before straightening your front teeth with Lumineers. But if you need additional straightening, metal braces aren’t the only way – Cherrywood Dental also provides Invisalign for teeth and adult patients seeking a less noticeable option. The clear plastic aligners allow for straightening without stress.

Do you tend to bite your tongue or cheeks when you chew, or can you chew comfortably?
If you have issues with chewing, this could be a signifier that you’re in need of orthodontic treatment. This may mean that your jaws are not in harmony or that your teeth fit together awkwardly. It’s not only uncomfortable when you accidentally chomp down on your flesh, but unhealthy in the long term. Crooked teeth can heighten your risk of dental problems and a jaw disorder, not to mention daily discomfort and self-consciousness. If you’ve been unhappy with your bite, just get in touch to learn more about your variety of treatment options.

Have you had orthodontic treatment before?
Countless adults with crooked teeth actually had braces as kids. But straighter teeth resulting from braces don’t always stick. If you stopped wearing your retainers over the years (as so many of us do), your teeth likely drifted back toward their former positions. Or if you had periodontal disease and lost gum tissue, the teeth may have shifted due to changing support. If you lost a tooth and didn’t replace it with a dental implant, your teeth likely moved toward the gap. No matter the cause of your changing teeth, you could be a good candidate for Lumineers. Since you already had braces, it’s likely that your bite is healthy overall – veneers will just put finishing touches on your smile.

Ready to meet with one of our dentist and learn more about your personal potential? It’s as simple as scheduling a free consultation. Just fill out your information in the form on this page and we’ll get in touch to set up your complimentary appointment.

It’s time to discover your straight smile!
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