How to Straighten One Crooked Tooth Without Braces
Pursuing that pearly-white perfectly straight smile can cost thousands of dollars, months of time, and a great deal of discomfort.
It's no wonder that many people are looking for cheaper home remedies for straightening teeth naturally. However, in the long run, you may face even more pain, both in your mouth and wallet, trying an at-home orthodontic treatment.
Key Takeaways
- There's no natural method for straighter teeth
- Home remedies can be dangerous
- The only safe way is to work with an orthodontist
- There are lots of options, but some can be quite expensive
- Straighter teeth at home are possible with services like Byte
Can You Straighten Teeth Naturally
The simple answer is, no, there are no methods of repositioning your teeth 'naturally.' The only method to straighten crooked teeth is by using one of a few different appliances under the direction of an orthodontist [1].
Moreover, trying to apply that treatment at home without professional guidance is a very bad idea [2]. In fact, the American Dental Association and Association of Orthodontists assert that the practice can potentially worsen problems , rather than fixing them.
While straightening teeth may seem like a purely cosmetic change, in reality, it can worsen existing problems or create new ones.
Do-It-Yourself Dentistry
Rising costs and COVID concerns have prompted people to look for in-home healthcare options whenever possible. It's understandable, but it's also risky.
One example discussed on social media is to put small elastic bands around two teeth to close a gap [3]. However, the band can frequently slide up into the gum line, irritating it, causing infection, and eventually cause the teeth to fall out.
Used improperly, clear aligners can also cause some serious problems. Your jaw may end up misaligned or with teeth out of place, causing migraines, difficulty eating, or more serious issues.
How To Straighten Teeth
The safest path to straight teeth involves a treatment plan put together by an orthodontist, including one or more of the following:
- Retainers
- Braces
- Other appliances, such as a palatal expander
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Surgery
Retainers
A retainer may be used on its own to straighten your teeth. More often, they are used after another appliance like braces to keep your teeth in place.
Most people are familiar with removable retainers, made of plastic and wire. Fixed retainers are wires attached to the back side of the front teeth [4].
Braces
Braces are attached to the teeth and use wires to move the teeth into position. Elastic bands are sometimes also used to place additional pressure on the teeth to be moved [5]. They are the most common appliance for adjusting crooked or crowded teeth.
Traditional braces use different types of metal wire, however, less obvious ceramic or clear braces are growing in popularity. The ideal age to wear braces is between 10 and 14.
Other Appliances
While they are the most common treatment option, even traditional metal braces sometimes aren't enough, so other treatments might be used as well. These are generally used for crossbite correction, underbite, or other severe issues.
These devices can include:
- Herbst Appliance
- Frankel Function Regulator
- Bimler Appliance
- Palatal expander
- Other fixed or functional appliances [6][7]
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry includes things like bleaching, crowns, and veneers [8]. Veneers may be used to change the shape of a tooth or repair cracked teeth, as well as close gaps or reshape a tooth so it's straight.
Dental veneers can be either plastic or porcelain, with porcelain veneers being more expensive and complicated.
Surgery
Not all dental problems can be solved through tooth movement. Sometimes existing teeth need to be removed to provide more space, or to reposition the jaw as a whole. Surgery is usually reserved for extreme cases.
How long do you think the pre-surgical phase of orthognathic surgery is?
Click on your answer to reveal how long the pre-surgical phase is
Show hint
pre-surgical phase of orthognathic surgery
The pre-surgical phase of orthognathic surgery can take anywhere from 15 to 24 months
Clear Aligners: Best Teeth Straightening for Adults
While traditional braces have been available for decades, it's now possible to choose from other treatment options. Clear aligners are less expensive, they can still correct spacing issues, crooked teeth, and achieve most people's desired results.
Some options are managed entirely at home, while others require an orthodontist appointment. For the most part, these are used for less serious, cosmetic adjustments .
Byte
Services like Byte will send clear aligner trays directly to your home. Every aspect of fitting, adjusting, and receiving your aligners is handled online. Changes can be completed in as little as 2 months.
Byte's price tag is around $2000 to $2400, which may seem like a lot until you compare it to traditional metal braces. Check out our Byte aligners review for more on price and features.
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is similar in many ways to Byte. You make an impression at home and aligner trays are sent to you. AlignerCo costs about $1000 to $1200, which is much less than other options. You may need to wait 8 months or more to see results, however. Check out our AlignerCo review for more information
Invisalign
Invisalign produces clear aligners like Byte or AlignerCo, however, you'll only be able to get them through your orthodontist. This might make them safer, but they are also much more expensive, potentially costing twice or even three times as much as at-home options.
The steep price may put them outside of many people's budget range, luckily, there are many Invisalign alternatives that are more affordable.
FAQ
If you're looking for quick, straightforward answers to common questions, we've got you covered.
What Is the Best Way To Straighten Teeth for Adults?
The path to a straighter smile can depend on a few different factors. The best combination of economy and effectiveness, however, are probably clear aligners from brands like Byte. They are less expensive than braces and treatment can be started and finished all from your couch.
Can I Straighten My Teeth Myself?
No, the only safe methods are done with the help of orthodontists. It's not something to try without knowing what you're doing.
How Can I Push My Teeth In Without Braces at Home?
Amazing results are possible with brands like Byte, which gives you the option of using a clear aligner at home.
Can I Make Homemade Braces To Straighten Teeth?
Technically, this may be possible. However, straightening teeth is an involved process and even dentists require additional training for some methods. Without the right knowledge, you may end up creating misalignment in your bite, or other problems.
How Can I Naturally Align My Teeth at Home?
There isn't a natural process for teeth straightening. It will require an appliance of some sort.
Can You Straighten One Tooth Without Braces
Dentists have a number of options, but there's no good way to do it solo. Using elastic bands as a DIY method of teeth straightening can lead to infection of the gums or worse.
Is There a Way To Straighten Teeth Quickly?
The fastest method is an option like Byte, which uses specialized tools to speed the process up, such as the Hyperbyte system. Check out some quicker options in our nighttime clear aligners review.
Conclusion
There are simply some health issues that can't be addressed with natural methods. While straightening teeth may seem like a small change, the alignment of your teeth and jaw are very precise. A beautiful smile is great, but it's not worth sacrificing your health.
References:
- "Orthodontic Appliances – MeSH – NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009967.
- "Orthodontists Report Uptick in Number of Patients Attempting DIY Teeth Straightening." American Association of Orthodontists , 23 Feb. 2017, www.aaoinfo.org/1/press-room/orthodontists-report-uptick-in-number-of-patients-attempting-diy-teeth-straightening.
- Behrents, Rolf G. "Consumer Alert on the Use of Elastics as 'Gap Bands.'" American Journal of Orthodontics , 1 Sept. 2014, www.ajodo.org/article/S0889-5406(14)00626-X/fulltext..
- Kartal, Yasemin, and Burçak Kaya. "Fixed Orthodontic Retainers: A Review." Turkish Journal of Orthodontics , Turkish Orthodontic Society, June 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6605884/.
- "Orthodontics/Braces." Orthodontics/Braces – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center , www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P00870.
- "Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed – MeSH – NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2028132.
- "Orthodontic Appliances, Functional – MeSH – NCBI." National Center for Biotechnology Information , U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68017289.
- Morley, Jeff. "THE ROLE OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN RESTORING A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE." The Journal of the American Dental Association , Elsevier, 3 Jan. 2015, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002817714658177.
How to Straighten One Crooked Tooth Without Braces
Source: https://www.nwph.net/straightening-teeth-naturally