I’ve been embarrassed about my smile since I was in 7th grade when someone talked about my crooked teeth. As I’ve aged, they have also gotten more yellow. Are there things I can do which can improve my smile that don’t include braces? I don’t feel comfortable wearing braces in a professional environment.
Stacey
Dear Stacey,
Professional Teeth Whitening Trays
I am glad you wrote. I’m also sorry you’ve spent a lifetime feeling pain from the hurtful comments in your youth. I remember a similar experience when I was in 6th grade and someone called me buck tooth. Words are more painful than people sometimes admit. I have some great news for you! You have couple of options which can give you a beautiful smile, all without braces.
One option is to get porcelain veneers. This is a treatment that can give you a complete smile makeover. It’s the go-to for celebrities to get that Hollywood smile. These small wafers of porcelain can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth, giving you the smile of your dreams. While they won’t straighten your teeth, they can make your teeth look straight. You will need to be aware that it will require an expert cosmetic dentist, one who has extensive post-doctoral training. Dental school is not enough. You’ll also need to know that this is the most expensive of the options. But, when well done the results are stunning.
A second option is to have Invisalign done. Unlike braces, these use clear aligners to straighten your teeth. No one will even know you are using orthodontics, even at a conversational distance. Plus, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. Your dentist can simply provide you with the professional strength teeth whitening gel that you can use in the aligners at a time that is most convenient for you. This allows you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. Unlike veneers, it does not take extensive post-doctoral training to do these. You just need a dentist who offers Invisalign and you’ll be fine.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur, AL Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.