A mismatch in the bones of your jaws can lead to extra spaces between your teeth that, in turn, can lead to other oral health issues. Here are some of the procedures that you can consider if, for any reason, braces aren't a suitable option for your smile.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium-based artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored to your jaw in order to hold a replacement tooth in place. The advantage of using an implant to replace a missing tooth is that they aren't supported by your surrounding teeth. This means that restorations anchored to an implant are a more stable solution to missing teeth.
After inserting the titanium root into your bone, the tissue and bone will fuse and heal around the implant.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and gums. They will normally come in two varieties: full and partial dentures.
Complete dentures are placed in your mouth immediately after all of your teeth have been extracted. A partial denture is attached to your natural teeth with a clasp or other retaining device. Partial dentures can usually be taken out of your mouth.
Dental Veneers
If your teeth are naturally gapped or widely spaced, dental veneers may be a good option to help reduce the gaps in your smile. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-coloured materials that are used to cover the front surfaces of teeth in order to change their appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of your teeth and change the colour, size, shape and length of a given tooth.
Dental Crowns
A crown can be used to restore the shape, appearance, and function of a tooth that has been damaged.
A crown is typically used to strengthen your tooth structure after a root canal. Crowns can also be used to support large fillings, hold a bridge in place, or cover discoloured or deformed teeth. They are also used to cap dental implants.
Dental Bonding
SImilarly to veneers, dental bonding can be used to decrease the gaps between your teeth. Bonding is a procedure wherein your dentist addresses damage to one or more of your teeth using tooth-coloured composite resin. This is usually a fair bit more of a cost-effective solution since other cosmetic dental procedures like crowns and veneers are often more expensive.
Invisalign
Invisalign employs a series of aligners that are almost imperceptible to others. They are low profile when worn and easily removed, so you don't have to be afraid to smile while undergoing treatment. Invisalign is a 3D computer imaging technology that should be effective in straightening your smile.
Patients will be given a series of clear aligners (often as few as 12 or as many as 48). Each aligner must be worn for about 2 weeks at a time. During your treatment, your teeth will gradually start moving into their corrected positions. You will need to wear your sligners full time except when you are eating, brushing or flossing your teeth!