Orthodontist Questions Braces, Oral

Is there a better way to get the perfect smile other than getting braces?

I am 23 years old. I had been on braces at the age of 14, followed by retainers. I even had to extract 4 of my teeth because the doctor said that my jaw was small but my jawline still looks disproportionate. I still crave to get the perfect smile but I cant go through the pain again. Is there an alternative?

14 Answers

Wearing removable aligners may be a more comfortable and more esthetic option. You should schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to discuss this alternative to braces.
You should see an orthodontist. There are alternatives such as Invisalign, Clear Correct and others that may fit for you. DO NOT use the Over the counter ones you see on TV. There is no professional follow up. They may be cheaper, but I have seen patients who come into my office that are a disaster. See a professional Board Certified Orthodontist.
You may want to consider Invisalign. It is a nice alternative to braces. It should be pain free.
Hello, correction of tooth and jaw problems often involves using braces or clear aligners to reposition the teeth. Even if you use clear aligners instead of braces you will feel some discomfort as the teeth move. The biological process of tooth movement is similar whether you select braces or clear aligners. As for the jawline, if this is a cosmetic concern of yours then there are orthognathic surgical procedures the can correct jaw-size imbalances. I highly suggest you meet with an orthodontist to discuss your concerns in person. Most orthodontists will offer a complimentary consult to help answer your questions and discuss all of your treatment options. I wish you the best of luck and hope this helps.
Braces has come a LONG WAY, especially in my office. We can move teeth very quickly, but with very light force. I treated myself 2 years ago using my system and regularly ate steak the night of an adjustment.
Is your concern mainly your jawline? Orthodontics can be of help with many patients however with out seeing you it is difficult for me to properly advise you. Some patients actually require a surgical treatment to correct a disproportionate jaw. A consult with an orthodontist should be able to address your concerns and assist you in finding a solution that is reasonable and essentially pain free.
Unfortunately, sometimes extractions are the best option. Just understand that we need to address the goal of treatment. If you go to a plastic surgery, you will likely undergo surgery.
At times, you will need to undergo some things in addition to braces.
You could be a great candidate for clear aligner therapy.
Invisalign may work for you or a combination of part braces and part invisalign. You need to be looked at.
Of course your case (as for every case) would have to be evaluated to determine dental malalignment, skeletal discrepancies, anterior relation, molar relation, etc...in order to determine YOUR treatment plan and treatment modality. Braces aren't necessarily the only option. Invisalign can handle many different types of cases.
If your jaws are still "disproportionate"...jaw discrepencies can be addressed with a jaw surgical proceedure. This is done very commonly for those who dislike their facial structures.
The take home message is that EVERY case must be evaluated on an idividual basis to determine the ideal treatment plan/options for each case.
No. Many claim to, but braces still are the best way. Invisalign aligners can get great results, BUT NOT IN ALL CASES!!
An orthodontist can probably revise your bite using Invisalign clear aligners.
You can find a quaified orthodontist by going to the Invisalign website and using the find a doctor app. It ranks the clinical experience and training of an Orthodontist near your zip code.
It’s hard to tell what’s going on without seeing you. I’d make an appointment with an orthodontist to go over options. Invisalign may be an option.

Thanks,

Tony Skanchy, DMD, MDS
Yes there are multiple options to get your smile the way you want to. Technological advances have made orthodontics lot more easier than before. I would recommend having consultation with orthodontist in your area to explore different options that suits your case and get you best result possible. These days you can find clear aligner , lingual braces and other removable appliances as alternative to conventional braces that can help to correct your bite and tooth alignment. Your orthodontist can evaluate your case and help you select right treatment method.