Straight Talk About Crooked Teeth

A beautiful smile is not the only benefit of having straighter teeth. Did you know that properly aligned teeth can also affect your overall health?

When left untreated, crooked teeth can often lead to periodontal disease and premature wear on your enamel. Periodontal disease may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and other illnesses.

Straighter teeth and a proper bite can help you avoid these negative effects on your health.

While the results may appear the same—a confident, beautiful smile—when you stop and actually compare Invisalign^® to other teeth-straightening options, the advantages become quite apparent. Knowing the pros and cons of each option ahead of time will help you make a more confident decision.

Traditional Braces

With regular braces, you may experience some or all of the following: pain, discomfort, mouth sores or injuries caused by the brace wires, tooth decay (from inadequate brushing and flossing), plaque buildup, tooth discoloration, tooth/bracket breakage, or difficulty eating. As if that weren’t enough, there are also the personal sacrifices—popcorn, chips, bagels, hard-crusted bread, pizza crust, pretzels, nuts, certain candies…plus apples, carrots, corn on the cob, and more.

Veneers and Similar Treatments

Many patients have asked about the benefits of veneers as compared to Invisalign. While veneers are certainly an option for improving your smile, they only cover up certain dental imperfections, rather than correct them. This means that some existing periodontal problems could remain. Applied to the front side of the teeth only, veneers also require the removal of the surface enamel of each tooth—an irreversible procedure—and need to be replaced every five to 10 years. This can become very expensive… Coffee, tea and red wine need to be avoided to prevent discoloration, and care must be taken to prevent chipping or breaking the veneer. So while the surface look of the teeth may improve with veneers, the underlying tooth and gum problems could still exist.

Of course, there’s always the option of not seeking treatment at all. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but do keep in mind that, if left untreated, many orthodontic issues can often lead to more serious dental and health issues.