Can You Straighten Your Teeth Without Braces? 3 Alternatives
Having a perfect set of teeth is a dream for many, yet despite having access to some of the best dental care worldwide, many Americans suffer from common dental problems like cavities, decay, and much more.
Another problem plaguing the mouths of Americans is twisted/crooked teeth, which many refuse to seek aid for due to the fear of braces. Whether you’re thinking, ‘Why are braces so expensive?’ or worried about making an already unsightly problem worse, you can calm down if this is your worry.
Fortunately, dental technology has made it possible to achieve the smile of your dreams without braces. From invisible aligners and veneers to dental crowns and bonding, we outline several teeth-straightening alternatives in our article below.
Invisible Aligners
If you want your smile to look like you’ve had braces but don’t want to go through their pain and expense, consider opting for invisible aligners. As the name suggests, invisible aligners are perfect for those worried about the unsightliness of wearing something in your mouth twenty-four-seven because they are transparent.
Plus, they work like braces, except instead of going to the orthodontist to get them tightened, you slot the next set into your mouth. If you’d like to learn more, consider visiting providers’ websites like ALIGNERCO, which produce at-home kits, so you don’t have to go to the dentist to get started. Visit their website for more information about their kits, follow their blog to get answers to your FAQs like ‘How much are braces in the US?’, or contact them directly to see how their aligners could help you straighten your teeth without braces today.
Porcelain Veneers
If you’d like to create the illusion of straighter teeth without going through all the pain to achieve them, you could consider getting porcelain veneers. Providing that your teeth aren’t severely crooked, a thin, solid shell of porcelain can be applied to the fronts of each of your teeth, which can hide minor imperfections and give your teeth a straighter appearance.
However, unlike the results you would get from invisible aligners or braces, porcelain veneers aren’t permanent and must be replaced every five to ten years, depending on how well you take care of them. So, if you want a quick teeth-straightening fix, they can be a viable option, but they’ll probably cost you further down the line, especially since prices start at $925 a tooth.
Dental Crowns
If your teeth are not in the best shape, or you’d like a more permanent solution to veneers, you could consider using dental crowns as a teeth-straightening method. Although they don’t affect the appearance of your physical tooth, like braces or aligners, dental crowns are placed over the top of your existing tooth to alter the color, shape, and size.
When you get dental crowns fitted, your dentist will try to make them match your natural teeth as much as possible, yet you also have a degree of cosmetic license. However, like veneers, dental crowns come with a hefty price tag of up to $500-$3,000 per tooth, depending on which material you choose, but they last longer than the latter option.
