[imagesource: Premier Dental]

Finally, you don’t have to hide behind a mask, but you hate your smile, and now you feel everyone is staring straight at your teeth. You can see it’s getting worse as each year passes.

Maybe it’s time to do something about it but there’s so much information on the internet and you don’t know what to believe anymore.

Crooked teeth are not only a cosmetic problem; they can cause a number of oral health and general health issues. However, straightening teeth with veneers makes these even worse. 

Let’s unpack a few myths and truths about skew teeth in adults.

MYTH 1  – “I’ll get a smile makeover and straighten them with veneers”

If your teeth are in the wrong position and simply need some moving, using veneers will severely damage the most skew teeth. In addition, the parts that stick out will need to be drilled away, damaging your teeth forever. 

Teeth that are further back or rotated will become very thick, unnatural,  and difficult to clean. This can lead to gum disease and bad breath.

You can consider veneers if your pearly whites are in a good position, and you only need to improve the appearance because of extensive old fillings, chips, wear, acid erosion or small teeth.

The latest, most economical, enamel-sparing version of veneers is called injection moulded composite bonding. It’s a painless and non-invasive treatment. 

MYTH 2 – “My wisdom teeth are making my lower teeth crooked”

In our twenties and thirties, the way our teeth bite together starts changing. Many people think that their wisdom teeth push the lower teeth and make them crooked, but this is not true.

People who have had their wisdom teeth out also suffer from crooked teeth. The real reason is that our teeth wear down as we age, and the amount of space for them diminishes.

In this case, veneers are a terrible solution, and orthodontics is advisable.

MYTH 3 – “I wore braces when I was young, and my teeth will always stay straight. My dentist said the wire stuck at the back of my lower teeth is no longer unnecessary”

Now you would think if you had worn braces for several years to straighten your teeth, this would never happen to you, but the complete opposite is true.

Research has shown that it is essential to wear retainers to keep your teeth straight. Invisalign retainers that you only wear at night are called Vivera Retainers. They are clear and comfortable, and you remove them in the morning.

They’re easy to clean, and you can floss your teeth without that annoying wire, but still protect your investment in orthodontic treatment. 

MYTH 4 – “There is no way to fix my crooked teeth without ugly and unsightly braces”

We asked Sea Point dentist Dr Clifford Yudelman, founder and visionary at OptiSmile, to assist us with this myth.

OptiSmile has more than 20 years of clear aligner teeth straightening experience:

“If you have crooked teeth, braces with metal wires and brackets or discreet clear aligners are your only option if you want to keep your teeth for the rest of your life. Invisalign has helped almost 13 million people just like you.”

The Invisalign system can help with all orthodontic problems from minor to severe. These aligners are ideal for individuals who wish to straighten their teeth and correct their bites.

The following are some examples of orthodontic issues that the Invisalign method resolves.

• Gaps between teeth (diastema) 
• Crooked teeth
• Overcrowding
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Overbites
• Overjets 

Dr Yudelman went on to say that one of the primary benefits of braces is that they can improve oral health. For example, when your teeth are correctly aligned, it’s easier to brush and floss them, which helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease:

“Straight teeth can boost your self-confidence. For example, if you’re unhappy with your smile, you may feel too self-conscious to show your teeth when you laugh, smile, or talk.

However, once your teeth have been straightened, you’ll be able to smile with confidence.”

Straight teeth are also less likely to become chipped or broken over time.

Smile and wave, Cape Town!

Head here to find out more about Invisalign dentists in Cape Town, or call OptiSmile on 087 702 6886.