The use of braces is often for drastic changes and corrections to a person’s smile. If you only need minor adjustments to your mouth, you may not need a full set of braces.

Learn about some alternative tooth and smile corrections where braces are not necessary. A dentist will help implement the changes to straighten your smile, align your jaw, and improve the overall health of your mouth.

1. Bonded Lingual Retainers

For many patients, the bottom front teeth of a mouth can crowd and impact each other. As you go to your dental checkup, a dentist may notice slight shifts in the teeth. Before the crowding becomes too complicated, a dentist can install a bonded lingual retainer to the bottom of the mouth. The installation is a permanent retainer that bonds to the back of the teeth.

The small metal wire will keep the teeth in place and prevent your jaw from shifting. Patients quickly get used to the wire and its small size. Extra care is necessary to clean and floss around the area to help prevent food buildup. At each dental cleaning, a dentist will examine the wire and thoroughly clean out the area.

While you do not need to limit the foods you have like with braces, you may rely on your back teeth more than your front teeth for chewing. One of the main benefits of a bonded lingual retainer is the wire is not visible to others from a straight-on point of view.

2. Palatal Expanders

If your mouth has not grown correctly, you could have an extremely narrow jaw and crowded teeth. One way to help with this is through palatal expanders. The expanders are commonly useful for children with jaws not large enough to support incoming adult teeth.

The expanders go in the upper jaw and typically anchor against the back molars. The metal piece forces the jaw to expand outward. As the jaw slowly expands over time, a dentist will adjust the size of the expander to force the jaw out further.

The mouth will widen and teeth will have plenty of space to fit comfortably inside the mouth without overcrowding or braces.

3. Contouring Teeth

Sometimes, your teeth will have minor issues, which give a crooked appearance or a smile that looks uneven. A dentist can help treat the small imperfections with a process known as contouring. Also referred to as tooth reshaping, the process will trim away bits of enamel and give your mouth a whole new look.

For example, if you have one tooth that slightly overlaps another, a dentist may trim off the overlapped section and shape the tooth to look straight. Along with the trimming, a bonding process adds to the tooth to achieve a straight shape and ensure the tooth remains strong within the mouth.

The contouring process is typically a one-time treatment and a far quicker solution than opting for braces.

4. Restorative Crowns

If mouth changes have caused you to grind down teeth or chip teeth due to crowding, a dentist can repair areas with restorative crowns. The crowns will completely cover the tooth without the need to pull any teeth.

Unlike crowns from decades ago, modern-day crowns can match the colors and tones of your current teeth. The crown will blend naturally with your other teeth and create a straight and smooth smile without the need for extended braces or orthodontic equipment.

For more information on our teeth repair services, contact us at Accent Dental. We will complete a full evaluation of your mouth and offer you different solutions for mouth corrections.