o you wish that your smile could have been better? Don’t despair. Technology advancements have made certain parameters controllable for man; one of which is teeth straightening. Many people feel about a slight regret regarding their smiles. They avoid getting clicked, talk less and even drop plans of going out with friends frequently. They get conscious and this brings down their confidence and morale.

Conventional Methods = Uncomfortable Feelings

Some bad memories are probably associated with traditional methods of orthodontic treatments and teeth straightening in our mind. Remember how the food got stuck in the metallic braces (which were equally embarrassing to flash) or that inevitable lisp from wearing a retainer?

Fixed Braces

Braces are small metallic brackets that are put over the uneven teeth surface and bound with wire to hold them together. In spite of looking ugly and causing inconvenience while eating, talking and smiling, braces are still the most popular method used for crowded and crooked teeth.

Removable Braces

These dental braces come in plastic or bio-friendly acrylic and are used for teeth with less crowding. They have springs and wire clasps that are used to keep the braces attached to the teeth. These braces are used when the teeth problem is not so severe.

Headgear

These are complex devices, made up of thick metallic wires and run from outside the mouth onto the inside. In this method, teeth are supported by cups or straps that run under the chin or behind the neck. Headgears are usually worn for around 12 hours daily, for a few day or weeks, as the requirement of the treatment. In today’s time, these devices are hardly used due to advancement in orthodontal treatment.

Retainers

They are similar to removable braces and are widely used after treatment using fixed braces. They are worn for a few months and prevent teeth from moving back to the original abnormal position.

Medical science has progressed a lot. A few new and improved methods for orthodontic treatment have been introduced. Let us see some newer ways to straighten teeth.

Fixed Clear Braces

These braces are gaining popularity due to their transparency. They work similarly to metallic braces but are made from a strong ceramic material with high transparency. These braces tend to adopt the color of the teeth, concealing themselves. Due to these features, they do not ruin the facial features like the traditional metal braces and are widely preferred.

Invisalign

The best feature of these devices is that they are made of clear plastic material and are barely visible. Due to technological advancements, an option of custom-made aligners is available and preferred by many. These braces are meant to be worn from anywhere between 9 to 15 months and are designed to cause negligible irritation or disruption in your usual life.

Make no mistake that a great smile is a great confidence-builder. You feel good and perform well. People take notice of you, listen to you and appreciate the positivity in your overall attitude. Timely visit your dentist and, if required, go for one of the above-mentioned oral treatments. It will prove to be a very fruitful investment.

Tooth bleaching is a popular method for whitening discolored teeth, and it can be done at home or by a dentist. It’s quite common for teeth to appear unevenly colored after the procedure. However, you need to take some steps if there is an extensive difference in color, or your teeth become more heavily stained over time.

Here are a few of reasons for uneven tooth color, and what you can do to tackle the problem:

• Often, the edges of a tooth respond to bleaching quicker than internal areas, since the bleach penetrates the enamel faster. The center of a tooth has a thicker layer of enamel than the edges, so internal tooth bleaching can take longer to show results.
• Some teeth may appear whiter than the rest, since each tooth responds differently to bleaching. The structure and composition of teeth affects the outcome of tooth bleaching, for instance, teeth with less calcium will get bleached a lot more quickly.
• If you are prone to extreme sensitivity in your teeth, get them professionally bleached by a dentist. This is especially important for internal tooth bleaching, since you need to keep the bleaching solution against your teeth for longer.
• Ask your dentist about teeth whitening solutions if you have had any restorative dentistry. Dental veneers, fillings, crowns and caps will not respond to bleaching, so they can appear discolored against your natural teeth when you bleach them.
• In most cases, the color will become more even over time. This typically takes anywhere from 3-10 days. Once your teeth have reached the whiteness level you want, stop bleaching them for a few days.

Extra Precautions to Prevent Uneven Tooth Color

• After tooth bleaching, you may need to take some extra precautions to prevent them from getting stained. Bleaching makes the surface of your teeth more porous, so they can get discolored easily if you consume coffee, red wine, cigarettes, etc.
• If you do eat or drink anything that can stain your teeth, try to avoid letting it come into contact with the tooth surface as much as possible. For instance, you can use a straw to drink coffee, and swish clean water around your mouth right after.
• If you’re bleaching your teeth at home, ask your dentist for a custom-fitted tray that allows the solution to properly coat every tooth. Avoid whitening strips, since they cannot cover the whole tooth and will cause splotchy results.
• Visit a dentist and follow their instructions before, during and after tooth bleaching. Continue with the procedure if your teeth are unevenly colored, to allow less responsive teeth and internal areas to reach the same whiteness as the rest.
• Bleaching is not a permanent solution for whiter teeth, since diet and lifestyle factors can cause your teeth to become discolored after a while. Make sure to bleach your pearly whites twice a year to help them retain their whiteness for longer!