Having a set of perfect teeth can do wonders for a person’s self-confidence. The good news is that almost anyone can get that Hollywood smile nowadays. In fact, according to the American Association of Orthodontists, about 1.4 million adults have sought treatment from orthodontists in the U.S. and Canada. Additionally, the cosmetic dentistry industry is now a reported $4 billion industry with an annual growth of at least 2.5%.
Not everyone, however, wants braces as an option to straighten their teeth. Braces can help correct crooked and crowded teeth, underbites, and overbites. They can even prevent underlying jaw issues. But traditional braces are made of stainless steel metal brackets and wires that are attached to the teeth with bonding materials. They provide an obvious metal-on-teeth look that a lot of people are not too excited about. Fortunately, there are alternatives to straighten teeth without braces:
Invisalign
This is one of the most popular and innovative ways to realign teeth for adults and teens alike. It is the clear alternative to metal braces, and it is now a household word after generating $1.5 billion in sales in 2017 alone.
A lot of people who are considering this dental aligner option may be curious to know the process of how it is made. The concept was first introduced in the 1940s and was later revisited in the 1970s. By then, the process required a series of dental impressions to be made before being able to determine the optimal position of a patient’s teeth. Nowadays, the process requires only one set of X-rays and photographs, which are all to be taken during an initial visit to the orthodontist.
The scans and photographs are then sent to Align Technology. There, technicians will work with the orthodontist to come up with an image of the newly realigned teeth using orthodontic 3-D printing. Align Technology will then create the aligners using a detailed manufacturing process. The entire treatment can take up to just a year with minimal orthodontic appointments as long as the patient continues to wear the aligners for the prescribed amount of time every day.
Porcelain Veneers
These are sometimes called dental veneers or dental porcelain laminates. They are another great way to improve a smile. They are thin, custom-made pieces of ceramic shells that cover the front surface of the teeth.
What are the advantages of dental veneers?
Stains roll or wipe off porcelain just as they do with glass, so veneers are able to provide a natural tooth appearance. They are especially useful for teeth that are severely discolored. Porcelain veneers are also durable and can last up to 10 to 20 years as long as they are well taken cared for. Lastly, users get instant results. The typical process takes only two appointments. This means that there is no need to wait for months or go through multiple dental visits to get those perfect set of white teeth.
A perfect smile is something everyone wants and can get without any metals involved. Depending on a patient’s preference and budget, Invisalign and veneers are the perfect alternatives.