Tag Archives: veneers

What Causes Crooked Teeth and How to Straighten Them?

What Causes Crooked Teeth and How to Straighten Them?

Do you know what is the first thing people notice about you when you meet them for the first time? It’s your smile and your facial appearance. So, if someone has a charming smile and a set of perfectly aligned teeth, they will be perceived as more attractive and approachable. Similarly, people with flawed smiles or crooked teeth are considered unattractive. 

If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, don’t let them come in the way of your self-confidence. There are various treatment options available to straighten crooked teeth and help you enjoy an attractive smile. So, what causes crooked teeth and how to straighten them? If you’re looking for an answer to this question, then you have come to the right place. This blog will explain everything you need to know about crooked teeth and their treatment. So, read on! 

Should Crooked Teeth Be Straightened?

Crooked teeth should be straightened for various reasons. 

  • Smile and Facial Aesthetics – crooked teeth can significantly affect one’s smile and facial aesthetics. A survey by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry showed that people with straighter teeth and attractive smiles were perceived as more approachable and attractive than those with flawed smiles. 
  • Oral Health Maintenance – another reason for having straight teeth is one’s oral health. Did you know that it is more difficult to ensure optimal cleaning with misaligned teeth? Therefore, crooked teeth are at a higher risk of developing oral health-related complications such as gum disease, and tooth decay. 
  • Physical Health and Well-being – did you know that optimal food digestion is highly dependent on our teeth? Straight and optimally aligned teeth allow for optimal chewing and food digestion, while crooked teeth make it harder to break down food into smaller pieces. This can lead to physical health-related problems such as generalised weakness and indigestion. 

How To Fix Crooked Teeth?

The most effective way to fix crooked teeth is by straightening them through orthodontic treatment. This is because orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign clear aligners addresses the underlying issues and helps restore one’s smile and oral health. 

However, many people do not want to wait for many months to have their teeth straightened with aligners or braces. In such cases, there is a cosmetic alternative available with composite bonding and veneers. In the cosmetic treatment option, your dentist will mask the tooth misalignment aesthetically by using tooth-coloured cosmetic bonded fillings or porcelain veneers. Although this is a quick-fix solution, it does not fix the underlying problem of tooth misalignment. 

What’s The Best Solution For Teeth Gap And Receding Gums?

In gum recession, the gums start to move downward from their position due to underlying gum disease. This not only makes the teeth appear longer, but gaps also start to form between the teeth. This compromised aesthetic condition can be fixed with braces or clear aligners. Alternatively, your dentist may use veneers or composite bonding to cosmetically fix the issue. 

Are Braces The Only Solution For Crooked Teeth?

Many people find metal braces inconvenient and unaesthetic. If you have also been avoiding orthodontic treatment because you don’t want to wear those conspicuous braces, then there are other options available to straighten your teeth. For example, you can straighten your teeth using Invisalign clear aligners, which are an inconspicuous, convenient, and more comfortable alternative to braces. 

Can A Cosmetic Dentist Fix A Crooked Tooth?

A cosmetic dentist can use various treatment options to fix a crooked tooth. For example, cosmetic bonding is one of the most commonly used options for fixing damaged teeth. Similarly, porcelain veneers can be applied to crooked teeth to restore their aesthetics. Finally, a large aesthetic defect on a tooth can also be fixed with porcelain crowns. Your dentist will recommend a cosmetic treatment option based on the extent of the aesthetic issue. 

Can Veneers Fix Receding Gums?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to grow gums back once they start receding. So, the only treatment option in this case is to apply a veneer on the exposed tooth surface. Besides, your dentist can also perform gum grafting to restore the optimal height and position of the gums. 

Which Is The Right Age To Get Teeth Braces For Uneven Teeth?

The best age for getting braces in children is 10 – 14. At this stage, all the permanent teeth have come in, and the bones are actively growing and flexible. So, when the braces apply forces on your teeth, the jawbone and facial muscles will adapt accordingly and allow for easier tooth movement and alignment. So, it is advisable to start orthodontic treatment at an early age. 

Can I Get Dental Bonding Instead Of Braces?

Dental bonding can be used as an alternative to braces to aesthetically fix mild to moderate tooth alignment issues. However, it should be kept in mind that bonding will only fix the cosmetic issue and the underlying problem will not be addressed. 

What’s The Most Efficient Way To Straighten One Crooked Tooth?

The most efficient and durable way to straighten crooked teeth is through orthodontic treatment. This is because orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners not only restores facial aesthetics but also restores optimal tooth alignment. So, if you’re considering having your teeth straightened, you should consider orthodontic treatment as the most effective solution. 

If you’re looking for dental practice for braces or clear aligners in the West Midlands, Solihull Dental Centre and Implant Clinic should be your first choice. We take pride in being the best dental practice in town with an experienced and qualified dental team. So, book an appointment today to learn more about your orthodontic treatment options. 

Veneers For Crooked Teeth

Veneers For Crooked Teeth-Everything You Need To Know

Some people are born with perfectly straight, sparkling white teeth; On the other hand, others may have some facial defects that ruin their smile and facial aesthetics. If you have crooked teeth that make you shy away from smiling or speaking publicly, cosmetic dentistry can help you! This article explains one of the most effective and time-tested options for fixing crooked, misaligned, or chipped teeth – dental veneers. So, continue reading to find out how you can enjoy a rockstar smile with dental veneers. 

What’s A Veneer?

According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, veneers are wafer-thin shells of composite resins or porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Dental veneers are used for a wide variety of cosmetic and restorative dental issues without the need for excessive removal of the natural tooth structure. 

Can I Get No Prep Veneers If I Have Crooked Teeth?

No-prep veneers, also called lumineers, are extremely thin shells like veneers – only much thinner – that can be applied directly to the teeth without the need for tooth removal (in most cases). As a result, lumineers are an ideal option for fixing minor cosmetic defects. However, in excessively crooked teeth, your dentist will first restore them with a suitable filling material and then apply lumineers over them. This is because the lumineers are so thin that they do not play a protective or supportive role – they only enhance the aesthetics. Therefore, a pre-requisite for lumineer placement is that the teeth should not have extensive structural damage. 

Should I Get Dental Veneers Or Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a procedure in which your dentist will restore grossly damaged or stained teeth by applying a tooth coloured filling material over them. Dental bonding is performed at the dental chairside and is typically suitable for restoring mild aesthetic or structural defects. On the other hand, dental veneers are prepared in the laboratory. Hence, they are much stronger and aesthetically pleasing than composite fillings. Besides, veneers are also relatively long-lasting and do not get stained easily. Therefore, if you are looking for the best aesthetic outcome, you should go for veneers. 

Who Qualifies As A Good Candidate For Dental Veneers?

Any individual having crooked or chipped teeth is a potential candidate for porcelain veneers. Dental veneers are ideal restorative options in the following cases:

  • Cracked or chipped teeth 
  • Permanent teeth stains 
  • Mild teeth gaps 
  • Mild teeth overlapping 
  • Smile makeovers 
  • Tooth recontouring 

Are Veneers Harmful To Teeth?

One may think that since veneers require removal of the healthy tooth structure for their attachment, they will be harmful to one’s oral health. But, that is not the case; only a very thin layer of the enamel is removed, which will not harm your teeth. However, if you don’t maintain optimal oral hygiene around your veneered teeth, it can lead to secondary tooth decay and other complications. 

Can You Get Veneers Without Straight Teeth?

Although the ideal option for straightening misaligned teeth is orthodontic treatment with either braces or Invisalign aligners, there are cases in which dentists can cosmetically straighten mildly misaligned teeth with veneers. However, braces and Invisalign aligners are still the choice treatment option for fixing more complex alignment problems. 

Are Veneers Good For Teeth?

Veneers are used for restoring the aesthetics, structure, and function of grossly damaged teeth. Therefore, teeth straightened or restored with veneers become structurally more robust and possess excellent aesthetics – blending in perfectly with the existing healthy teeth. So, yes, veneers are suitable for restoring damaged teeth. 

Can A Teeth Gap Be Hidden By Veneers?

Another use of dental veneers is cosmetically restoring teeth gaps. Your dentist will fix this problem by attaching slightly wider veneers that fill the teeth gap. So, the veneers basically cosmetically “mask” the cosmetic issue. If optimal treatment is sought, the gap should be closed with orthodontic treatment options like teeth braces or clear aligners. 

Can You Get Veneers For Overlapping Teeth?

As discussed earlier, the best treatment option for misaligned, gapped, or overlapping teeth is orthodontic treatment. However, some people cannot afford the treatment, while others do not like to wait for months to achieve the desired aesthetic results. In these cases, dentists suggest an alternative cosmetic option with veneers. In some instances, dentists can fix minor teeth overlapping with porcelain or composite veneers. 

How Long Do Veneers Last?

The clinical service life of dental veneers depends on various factors, including the type and quality of the used material, skills and expertise of the dentist and the laboratory staff, and, more importantly, oral hygiene maintenance. According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, well looked after dental veneers can last between 10 and 15 years. Generally, porcelain veneers are stronger, durable, and more stain-resistant than composite-based veneers. 

At Solihull Dental Centre and Implant Clinic, we believe that everyone deserves to enjoy a charming and beautiful smile. That is why we offer premium cosmetic dentistry services to the residents of Solihull and surrounding areas. Whether you need implants for missing teeth, Invisalign aligners for your kid, or professional teeth whitening to get rid of your coffee or tea stains, we offer all dental services under one roof.

If you would like to consult with our dental team, you can book a consultation appointment here. Our friendly, experienced and qualified team looks forwards to serving you and helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful, and lasting smile.