Many adults want straight teeth but shy away from the idea of wearing braces. Today you have options for correcting crooked teeth. You can go all the way, and truly straighten your teeth without wearing unsightly braces, using Invisalign , or you can choose “instant orthodontics” which does not require the time and commitment of straightening, but makes your teeth appear straight.

If your teeth have always been crooked, straightening can be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. If you wore braces when you were a teenager, you may be frustrated with all that work undone by wisdom teeth pushing your teeth back out of alignment. Either way, you can have the look that you want and deserve. Correcting the look of a crooked smile can boost your self-confidence and even improve your career opportunities.

More important than just affecting your looks, crooked teeth can lead to serious dental problems including tooth decay and difficulty chewing. Crooked teeth can mean gaps, crevices, and hard to reach places where decay can flourish, leading to tooth loss. Difficult or painful biting and chewing can cause you to adjust how you chew and bite down eventually leading to a painful and damaging condition called temporomandibular joint disease (TMD) . Straightening your teeth can restore your comfort and preserve your dental health.

Invisalign

Invisalign uses a series of clear trays, called aligners, to gradually nudge your teeth into the proper position. Each aligner is used for two weeks. The entire process can take six months to two years. The process is gradual and each aligner is custom created for your teeth using impressions and computer imaging, so the adjustments are very precise.

You will wear the aligners during the day and while you sleep, and they can be removed for eating and when you need to brush your teeth. They are clear and almost invisible. Most people won’t even know you’re wearing them.

Instant orthodontics

If you don’t want to wait, or can’t make the commitment to straightening your teeth over time, you can choose porcelain veneers instead. Porcelain veneers are a thin shell of porcelain custom created and bonded to the surface of your teeth. They look and feel just like your natural teeth, and can correct the appearance of several flaws at once.

Besides being quick and easy, porcelain veneers will correct the appearance of discoloration, chips, and misshapen teeth.

Even in adulthood you can achieve a beautiful, straight smile. The method and time commitment are up to you.