Untwisting teeth - the objective

The objective of any corrective therapy is to give a perfect illusion of tooth straightness in relation to a lip position when you speak and smile. The teeth may not in fact be in perfect alignment, but if they give the impression of being so, then the desired goal will have been accomplished.

Such an illusion can sometimes be achieved by menas of cosmetic contouring, a simple reshaping of the teeth by sandpaper (disking) some of the tooth structure. If cosmetic contouring is not possible, then crowning sometimes becomes a viable option, particularily if the teeth are not in perfect condition.

Crowning has limitations for crowded or crooked teeth because the orientation of the tooth to be crowned must be compatibly aligned with the surrounding teeth. If it is not, the crown will still be unable to compensate for this difference in position.

If orthodontics are used, the teeth will eventually become compatibly aligned and sometimes it is the only solution for extremely malpositioned teeth.

Untwisting teeth - There's more than one way

Living with anything less than beautiful, straight white teeth can frequently be a source of great unhappiness, and crowded or crooked teeth that overlap, protrude or recess in a haphazard fashion can often be perceived as a personal disfigurement. However, it is possible to straighten such teeth.

Contrary to popular opinion, orthodontic straightening is not the only solution to crowded teeth. There may be less expensive and less time-consuming methods if the problem is not too severe. And the available alternatives should be weighed before making a commitment of time and money to orthodontics.