How to Fix Crooked Teeth

Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern. They can have a large impact on your dental and oral health. This is because they can make it harder to properly clean your teeth. This could potentially contribute to tooth decay. Misaligned teeth can also affect your bite, which can cause increased wear to your enamel or strain on your jaw. Straightening your teeth can improve your self-esteem and dental health.

Here is how we can help you fix crooked teeth:

Initial Visit to Our Dentist Office

During your first visit to our office, we will take digital X-rays and will examine your teeth to identify any misalignment. We will also check for other oral health problems that may need to be addressed. Dr. Smith will discuss her recommendations with you during this visit and we will create a plan for how to move forward with your dental treatment. This will depend on how crooked your teeth are and if there are any additional concerns.

It is our goal to make sure that you are completely informed when it comes to your dental care. We will explain each step so you understand the process before we begin straightening your teeth. We can even use digital technology to show you what your new smile will look like after your treatment is complete.

Invisalign Clear Aligners

For adults with crooked teeth, Invisalign is a great treatment option. This allows you to straighten your teeth discreetly with clear aligner trays that you can remove to eat, brush, and floss. Dr. Smith is a preferred Invisalign provider, so we can help you determine if this is the best orthodontic treatment for you.

How Invisalign Straightens Crooked Teeth

Clear aligners are designed to fit tightly to your teeth. Every two weeks, you will switch the aligner so that it continues to tighten and move each individual tooth into alignment. The length of this process varies and the average treatment time for an adult is 12 months.

During this time, you will come into the office every few weeks to make sure the treatment is progressing as planned. This takes less time and happens less frequently than visits for braces since you do not need to visit the office every time you change aligners.

Other Options to Straighten Your Teeth

If Invisalign isn’t a good match for your needs, there are other options we might recommend. For a misalignment that is purely cosmetic and very minor, veneers can give you a new and improved smile. If you have severely crowded teeth, we may recommend tooth extraction to create more space. We would pair these extractions with other orthodontic treatment to align your remaining teeth.

Get a Beautiful, Healthy Smile

A beautiful smile can make a huge difference for your confidence and how you interact with others. In addition, your oral health impacts your overall health. Making positive changes, such as correcting crooked teeth, is an excellent step to take to improve your wellbeing. At Smith Dentalworks, we offer compassionate and comfortable dental care. This includes preventive as well as restorative and cosmetic treatments.

If you are ready to transform your crooked teeth into a new, healthy smile, call us today.

All About Our Dental Laser

At Smith Dentalworks, we are committed to providing our patients with comfortable dental care using the most innovative treatment options available. One example of the technology we use in our office is the Solea®️ Laser. This unique tool can replace the outdated drill in many procedures and makes dentistry pain-free. When we use our dental laser, there is often no need for anesthetic. This allows us to complete your dental procedure in the most efficient and comfortable way possible. 

More information about laser dentistry at Smith Dentalworks:

How Our Dental Laser Works

The Solea Laser is a type of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. It produces a beam of powerful infrared light by running electricity through a tube filled with a gas mixture that contains CO2, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium. This excites the nitrogen molecules, which then transfer energy to the CO2 molecules. As the gases release energy, the system produces a beam of invisible light that is reflected by a series of mirrors that increase its intensity. Galvos, which are computer-controlled motors, move the mirrors to optimize the energy of this light beam based on the type of tissue that the laser is cutting. This can include enamel, gum, or other soft and hard tissues.

This laser system emits a beam with a wavelength of 9.3 microns. This makes it different from previous dental lasers which produced a 10.6 micron beam that was only effective on soft tissues. By contrast, the wavelength of the Solea Laser is near the peak absorption of hydroxyapatite. This is a mineral composed of calcium, phosphorus, and oxygen and is the major component of tooth enamel. When the enamel absorbs the energy from this laser beam, it vaporizes and creates a clean, precise cut. As a result, we can use the Solea Laser for both hard and soft tissue.

Pain-Free Dental Care

Our dental laser makes anesthesia unnecessary for 95% of procedures and 98% of patients feel no pain at all. Most patients say they feel a slightly cold sensation which is similar to eating a snow cone. The laser also cauterizes soft tissue as it cuts, significantly reducing and often eliminating bleeding. There are no uncomfortable vibrations or loud noises like there would be with a drill. This innovative tool makes pain-free dentistry a reality. 

Another benefit of anesthesia-free dentistry is that we can complete your procedure more quickly. This means that you can get back to your daily routine in the shortest amount of time possible. Because we don’t need to use a dental anesthetic, you also won’t leave the office with a numb mouth and you can go back to eating and drinking normally after your procedure.

How We Use Our Dental Laser

At Smith Dentalworks, we use the Solea Laser for a variety of soft-tissue and hard-tissue dental procedures.

These include:

  • Filling cavities
  • Frenectomies and tongue-tie surgeries
  • Periodontal disease treatment
  • Gum contouring
  • Oral surgery

Comfortable, Convenient Laser Dentistry

The Solea Laser makes dentistry painless and quick. It is effective and safe for children as well as adults, so your whole family can enjoy the benefits of this unique technology.

To learn more about our dental laser or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.