Embrace Your New Smile: 4 Effective Orthodontia Alternatives

by Lizzie Weakley, Contributing Writer

Are you living with crooked teeth, but afraid of painful treatments and unsightly metal braces? If so, it's time to take a fresh look at orthodontia. Today there are many effective alternatives to traditional braces that fast-track treatment and keep your smile looking great during the process. 

Invisalign 

The most well-known alternative to traditional braces is Invisalign. This system of clear aligners was revolutionary when it first entered the market twenty years ago. Invisalign allows the patient to correct spacing, crowding, and other orthodontic issues with invisible, removable aligner trays. 

Invisalign allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly and makes cleaning easier because the trays can be taken out for eating and brushing. The downsides of Invisalign include higher cost and difficulty in treating severe orthodontic issues. 

Lingual Braces 

Another aesthetic solution for crooked teeth is lingual braces, which move the traditional brackets to the backs of your teeth. Lingual braces are a great alternative for self-conscious teenagers and working professionals who want to avoid facing the world with metal mouth. 

Although lingual braces have the advantage of being out of sight, they are not necessarily out of mind. It can take longer to adjust to brackets and wires on the backs of your teeth, and cleaning requires extra care. 

Damon System 

Damon braces are the next generation of orthodontic braces. They feature a new and improved type of self-ligating bracket that holds the wire directly instead of with elastic bands. This technology moves teeth with much less force than traditional braces. 

The main advantages of the Damon system are faster treatment times and the ability to treat more difficult cases. They are also more comfortable and less conspicuous due to their smaller brackets. Damon brackets are available in a clear version for even greater aesthetic appeal. 

Wild Smiles 

Although most adults prefer minimalistic orthodontia, children have different concerns. That's where Wild Smiles comes in. Wild Smiles offers brackets in a variety of shapes that turn boring braces into a fun fashion accessory. 

Patients can even design their own smile either in office or on the Wild Smiles website. The best part is that Wild Smiles are inexpensive and work just as well as regular brackets, so you don't have to compromise between fashion and function. 

If any of these effective orthodontia alternatives appeal to you, it's time to stop putting off treatment. Make an appointment with a dental clinic to discuss your options and start embracing your new smile.


Author Bio

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University, where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.