Teeth Alignment - Options, Perfection, Cost

What is Teeth Alignment?

Wanting straighter teeth? Most people aren’t born with perfectly straight teeth, but luckily there are many options to help get you the smile of your dreams. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, 4.5 million people in the United States wear braces or other dental appliances to straighten teeth. An orthodontist is a dental specialist trained to treat misaligned teeth and jaws. Aligning teeth is not only beneficial appearance-wise but also for speech, chewing, and the overall health of your teeth. Misalignment in your bite can result in dental plaque buildup, tooth decay, soft tissue damage, tooth wear, teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, speech issues, and breathing problems, among other serious conditions.

Teeth Misalignment Types

Overbite

An overbite represents the upper teeth overlapping the lower teeth. Having a mild overbite for proper speech and mastication is normal and necessary. However, an excessive overbite can cause stress on your teeth and gums.

Crossbite

In ideal situations, the upper teeth should rest slightly over the lower teeth. This is called a dental crossbite in cases where the lower teeth come out further than the upper teeth. This can occur due to abnormal jaw growth development or eruption of permanent teeth. This can cause issues with the bite and cause stress on the jaws. If the crossbite is related to an issue with the growth of the jaw, orthognathic surgery with orthodontics may be required to help resolve the crossbite.

Underbite

Similarly to a crossbite, an underbite is characterized by the lower front teeth extending past the upper teeth. This may be caused by habits such as posturing the lower jaw forward throughout childhood or from genetic inheritance. Underbites can make a speech and chewing foods more difficult if left untreated. In cases where the underbite is severe, orthognathic surgery in combination with orthodontics may be necessary for the ideal treatment of this condition.

Open bite

If the upper and lower teeth do not completely come together as you bite down, this is an open bite. Open bites can occur in the back or front of the mouth. This may result from poor childhood habits such as thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting. In severe open bite cases, orthognathic surgery may be needed to correct the open bite fully.

Overcrowding

Whether due to small jaws or large teeth or a combination, when there's not enough space in the mouth for teeth to come into their proper places, this is known as overcrowding. This can cause teeth to overlap each other, making cleaning the teeth harder. As a result of the tight spaces, this can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Spacing

​​Some individuals may have a lot of space in their jaws, which allows the teeth to have a lot of room to erupt during their development. Others may have spacing due to missing teeth or abnormally shaped teeth leading to excess space in the top or bottom jaw. This misalignment can cause food to easily become trapped between the teeth and increase the risk of developing bacterial plaque buildup, tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral problems.

Deep Bite

Deep bite refers to the condition in which the upper front teeth cover the lower front teeth.

Overjet

An overjet, sometimes called “buck teeth,” is characterized by the distance your front upper teeth come outward compared to the lower teeth. Protruded upper teeth can increase the risk of injury to the teeth, making speech and chewing foods more challenging. An excessive overjet may be due to a genetic component or poor oral habits like thumb-sucking.

Diastema

A diastema, otherwise referred to as a gap between the teeth, can be common, especially in the upper two front teeth. Diastemas make getting food stuck between the teeth much easier, which can lead to dental cavities.

Teeth Alignment Options

Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are one of the most common types of orthodontic appliances. They are typically made of stainless steel. The brackets hold wires of different sizes made of metal alloys and are held in place with colored or clear elastic bands.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces work similarly to metal braces but differ in appearance. These are tooth-colored brackets and offer a more discrete way to have braces. A metal alloy wire is inserted into the brackets, and elastic ties help to hold the wire in place.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are a different type of bracket system that does not require elastic bands to hold the wires in place. It is described as a self-ligating bracket. They are typically less noticeable than traditional metal braces but tend to be more expensive.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces, sometimes called invisible braces, are brackets placed on the back side of the teeth. They are a more discrete option for those who do not want the appearance of braces. These braces tend to be more expensive than traditional braces.

In-office Aligners

Clear aligners, such as brands like Invisalign and Reveal, are a set of custom removable trays that you wear similarly to a retainer to help straighten teeth. There are several trays with sequential micromovements to help achieve your dream smile. On average, the trays are switched out every two weeks.

At-home Aligners

At-home aligners are clear aligners but without a visit to a dental professional through companies like SmileDirectClub. Dental impression material is often mailed to your home. Consultations are often done electronically, also referred to as teledentistry.

Short-term Treatment

Short-term treatment, sometimes called “fast braces, " is a great option for individuals interested in quickly aligning their teeth. This treatment, however, does not correct complex bite issues.

Retainers

Following orthodontic treatment, retainers are given to hold teeth in their new positions. Retainers can be fixed to the back of teeth using dental cement or removable appliances.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure used to align teeth without orthodontics. It involves using dental filling material to help with dental issues such as stained, spaced, or misshaped teeth.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are great options to help improve the appearance of teeth. They are thin tooth-colored coverings cemented to the teeth' front surfaces. It is commonly used to help people with slightly misaligned teeth, spaced teeth, or discolored teeth.

Benefits of Teeth Straightening

Healthier Teeth

Straightening your teeth can help improve your oral health tremendously. Teeth that are too crowded or spaced can create food traps and allow bacterial plaque accumulation. This, in turn, can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. When the teeth are straighter, it is a lot easier to maintain the health of your teeth.

Healthier Gums

Straight teeth allow for healthier gums, as keeping your teeth and gums clean becomes a lot easier. This can help prevent gum disease linked to oral and systemic health issues. Gum disease, left untreated, is linked to bone and tooth loss and increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Easier Cleaning

Straight teeth are much easier to brush and floss. It allows your toothbrush and floss to efficiently get between your teeth and remove bacteria and food debris.

Improved Tooth Longevity

Straighter teeth tend to last longer than misaligned teeth, and you want to try to keep your teeth for a lifetime! Misaligned teeth are more subject to damage and wear and tear than straight teeth.

Less Abnormal Tooth Wears

The straighter your teeth are, the less wear you place on your teeth. Chewing and biting down can cause a lot of damage to teeth that are not in their correct positions. This can lead to the need for additional dental costs for restorative work.

Decrease the Risk of Tooth Injury

Teeth that are misaligned or that excessively stick out are more likely to be damaged by accident. It also increases your risk of damaging other oral tissues, like cheek biting when your teeth are not aligned, which can cause painful sores.

Improved Speech

The placement of our teeth can impact speech and pronunciation. Teeth crowded, spaced, or too far forward or backward can alter how you sound out different words.

Improved Overall Health

Straight teeth help protect against bacteria that cause many oral issues. Oral infections can stimulate inflammation in other body areas, placing individuals at a higher risk of developing diseases beyond the oral cavity. Gum disease has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and many more.

Decreased Headaches or Neck Pain

Correctly aligned teeth can help limit the amount of unwanted strain on your mouth and jaws. Misaligned teeth can result in chronic headaches or neck and face pain.

Improves Self-Esteem and Happiness

Your smile plays a huge role in self-esteem and happiness. When you are unhappy with your smile, it can cause you to smile less and socialize less frequently. Straightening your teeth can boost your confidence, help you make new friends, and even step up your career as you build stronger relationships with others.

Common Problems During Teeth Alignment

As mentioned above, there are many advantages to aligning your teeth. Sometimes, however, some problems may occur during teeth alignment. This can include teeth grinding, mouth breathing, snoring, poor digestion, and jaw pain.

Cost of Teeth Alignment

The cost of orthodontics can vary based on several factors. On average, traditional braces cost from $2,500 to $7,500. Clear aligners such as Invisalign typically range from $3,500-$8,500. Many dental insurances often offer orthodontic coverage up to a certain age.