Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Solutions for a Wonky Tooth

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I have a tooth slightly rotated. My dentist wants me to get braces, but that is a minimum of two years treatment. I’m a senior. I don’t want to look ugly my last year of high school and first year of college. Tell me what my options are.

Caitlin D. – Boston

Caitlin,

You have a couple of great options aside from traditional orthodontics. The first is Invisalign. If you are a candidate, which not everyone is, it can straighten your smile in about half the time as braces. The best part is it truly is invisible. No one will know you’re wearing them.

If you’re not a candidate for Invisalign, or if you have other things you’d like to change about your smile, then I’d suggest porcelain veneers. It’s a strictly cosmetic procedure that can completely remake your smile. It can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. It’s the type of makeover celebrities get on their teeth.

Invisalign is the more affordable of the two options. I don’t know if budgeting is a factor in your decision. But, if it is you’ll want to consider the cost difference.

Also, if you’re getting porcelain veneers in order to re-make your smile, you won’t just get a veneer for the wonky tooth. You’ll get a minimum of six on your upper arch.

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Fitting in with Invisalign

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Americans are obsessed with their teeth. I’m from a country where it is not as much a priority. However, I am moving to the United States and realize that I need to do something about my teeth to fit in. They are healthy, but they are quite crooked. Any recommendations? I can’t wear braces, becasue my employment is quite public and I don’t think that would fit with the image my company wants to portray.

Abhay- India

Abhay,

I’m sure our country would welcome you regardless of the state of your mouth, but it is nice you’re trying to blend with the culture of your new home. If the only problem is they are crooked, you may be a good candidate for Invisalign. These straighten your teeth and are so “invisible” that no one will even know that you are wearing them. They have a very high satisfaction rate and generally work in half the time as more traditional braces.

I will mention one other thing. Americans tend to whiten their teeth pretty fanatically. I know a lot of Indian spices are pretty good at staining your teeth. You may ask your dentist if he’ll allow your aligners from Invisalign to double as whitening trays. That way you can knock out two birds with one stone.

Welcome to the United States.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Invisalign Aligners

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What is the purpose in waiting two weeks between aligners when it is obvious the teeth move into new position quicker than that?

Andrew F.- Minneapolis

Andrew,

Yes, your teeth will move into position within a few days of wearing your Invisalign aligners.  I know it is tempting to think you can finish treatment  even sooner if you put on the new aligners as soon as your teeth move. However, this is dangerous.

When your teeth move into mosition you need to allow time for your bone to develop around the root in its new position. If you don’t allow that time, then your teeth lose their support and will end up coming loose.

Typically, Invisalign treatment is completed in half the time of traditional braces. You won’t have to wait too long to be finished.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Invisalign or braces?

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If I’ve got crowding on the bottom of my teeth will invisalign work? How much is it? Are they better than regular braces? I’m 19 and still have some wisdom teeth coming in, but I’ve already got a crowding problem.

J. T. from Atlanta

J.T.,

Both Invisalign and traditional braces work equally well. Invisalign works faster, is not noticeable and is more comfortable, but not everyone is a candidate. If you’re only real issue is overcrowding, you may be a perfect candidate. Their cost is about the same, though it will cost you several thousand dollars. If you have dental insurance, it will help a little, but not a lot.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Options for crooked teeth

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I have some crooked teeth on the top. My bottom teeth are fine. What are my options?

Molly J.- Canada

Molly,

My suggestion would be for you to have Invisalign aligners put only on your top arch of teeth. These straighten your teeth faster than traditional braces and are completely invisible, even within a conversational distance. It could take from three to six months, depending on the severity of your case, but in the end you’ll have a beautiful smile.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

 

Crooked teeth from thumb sucking

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I sucked my thumb until I was 13 years old and my teeth are misaligned. My top teeth are curved upward but it’s not the typical overbite that you would expect. Do you know what I can do to have my teeth corrected? I’m ready to stop hiding my smile.

– Janie in Virginia

Janie,

Misalignment of your teeth is not too surprising having sucked your thumb for such a long period of time. An orthodontist will be able to help you straighten your teeth. Based on how you described the shape of your teeth, it sounds like they are not only out of position but they have an inaccurate inclination. Braces will correct both of your problems.

If you are the parent of a thumb sucker, the best advice is to not make too big of a deal out of the behavior. If you put too much pressure on your child and make too big of an issue of things, it may create a complex in your child and reinforce it. I really wouldn’t worry too much about it until your child is school age. There is no long-term, permanent damage that is done before the age of seven. This is because that is when a child typically loses their baby teeth. If you play it cool, when your child begins going to school they may experience peer pressure from their classmates and friends to stop the behavior.

The reason Janice’s teeth suffered from thumb sucking is due to the fact that she sucked her thumb until she was 13 years old. This means her permanent teeth had fully come in. If your child is over the age of seven and not showing signs of quitting, then you may need to step in. Be sure to use positive reinforcement versus causing shame or embarrassment. Again, you don’t want to create an emotional complex in your child or your plan could backfire. You will have the most success if the child wants to quit. Although, there are aids that you can find at the drug store to help break the habit. The products are bitter to the taste and can be painted on the thumb causing an unpleasant reminder of the habit. Again, be encouraging in your approach.

This post is sponsored by Tulsa dentist Region Dental.

Related links: Invisalign