Crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic issue. Often, they contribute to serious dental health concerns and should not be ignored. Crooked teeth make it difficult to brush and floss properly. This allows plaque and debris to build up, possibly leading to cavity formation and gum disease.
Annapolis dentist, Dr. Scott Finlay offers several solutions for crooked teeth including treatment options for straightening teeth with or without braces.
Straightening Teeth Without Braces
Your dentist may suggest straightening your teeth without braces when there are no health considerations that would require braces. Common treatment options include porcelain veneers and dental crowns.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers correct minor problems including gaps between teeth, crooked teeth, or uneven teeth. They are thin shells that the dentist will bond to the front and sides of the tooth hiding the imperfections. They are resistant to staining and we can perfectly color match with your natural teeth.
Cosmetic Bonding
A quick and easy way to fix minor imperfections in the teeth, including crooked teeth. For this procedure, the dentist will apply a biocompatible resin directly to the tooth and sculpt it into the proper shape and form. Cosmetic tooth bonding does not remove any of the natural tooth structure. However, it is not as durable and long lasting as other procedures and may require touch ups. This is an effective and economical treatment for patients who are not ready for a more permanent treatment such as dental veneers.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown will cover the entire tooth like a cap. Your dentist can use one to close spaces between teeth, lengthen teeth, and achieve symmetry. A dental crown can also treat teeth that are worn, broken, or that has tooth decay. Using dental cement, your dentist will permanently place the crown on a tooth after he prepares it. Your new dental crown can last for at least five years or longer if you take good care of your oral hygiene.
Orthodontics Straighten Crooked Teeth
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on correcting the alignment and position of teeth, jaw joints, and TMJ disorders. Orthodontic treatment may involve either metal braces or invisible braces to straighten teeth.
Invisible braces are preferred by many adult and teen patients. This treatment is for patients with mild to moderate alignment problems.
Benefits of Invisible Braces
- Effective treatment for a wide variety of alignment problems including crowding, spacing, overbite, and underbite
- Removable trays allow you to eat whatever you want
- Improved hygiene because you can brush and floss normally
- Smooth plastic instead of sharp metal means more comfortable treatment
- The convenience of visiting our Annapolis dentist office to monitor treatment instead of specialist
Now Offering Six Month Smiles
We now offer Six Month Smiles in our Annapolis dental office. These are low profile, tooth-colored brackets and wires that straighten teeth in six months, on average. Six Month Smiles is less expensive than Invisalign or traditional metal braces.
Straighter Teeth For A Healthy Smile
Improve your self-esteem as well as your dental health by straightening crooked teeth. Contact Scott Finlay, DDS & Associates, PA in Annapolis, MD to schedule a consultation and learn about which treatment options are right for you.
Call our Annapolis, MD dentist office at 443–276–4094 or request an appointment online.