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There are many factors that can affect the appearance of the teeth. One of the most prominent, however, is their alignment. Crooked, uneven or misaligned teeth can really spoil the appearance of the smile, even if the teeth are in otherwise great condition. This is why so many patients, especially amongst the young, opt to try and straighten the teeth using orthodontic braces.
Braces are undeniably effective but they also come with a number of drawbacks. Perhaps most obviously is the effect they have on the aesthetic appearance. Fixed metal braces are not the most pleasant things to look at, especially when the person is eating. Food gets caught in the braces and it can even make eating a messy experience. They can also make teeth very difficult to clean resulting in uneven colouration when they are removed.
Braces also need to be worn for a very long time to be effective, in some cases up to three years. This can be a very big sacrifice just to have straighter teeth. Thankfully, modern dentistry has come up with a several solutions to the problems posed by braces. New orthodontic straighteners such as the Inman aligner and Invisalign can achieve the same results as braces without the need for fixed metal brackets and wires. They are also much faster acting than traditional braces.
It is also possible to create the appearance of straighter teeth simply by using composite bonding to even out teeth that are crooked or uneven. The same can be achieved with porcelain veneers. To find out more about all the options for straighter teeth ask your Central London dentist at your next appointment.