When you take a look in the mirror, are you happy with the appearance of your smile? Do you love most of your smile except that single crooked tooth? Do you find the gap between your front teeth to no longer be endearing as it was during your childhood? If you are bothered by one or a few teeth that are spaced or misaligned, you may not actually need braces to solve the problem. Instead, Dr. Eric Wiitala of Scottsdale, AZ may make other recommendations.

How to fix crooked or gapped teeth

If you have one or just a few crooked teeth in your smile, you may find that you don’t need lengthy periods of orthodontic work to address the problem. Instead, patients can learn more about alternative ways to fix these teeth that are available at practices that offer cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Eric Wiitala can assist with any of the following alternative methods:

• Invisalign orthodontics – while Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment, it is miles away from traditional braces. Instead, with the use of clear aligner trays, patients can gradually move their teeth to improve their smile’s appearance and their bite alignment.
• Dental crowns – if a tooth is not only crooked but has breakage, it may also benefit from the placement of a dental crown. This is typically done for teeth that are not in the front of the smile, as these may benefit more from veneers or composite resin bonding.
• Porcelain veneers – veneers are thin facings that can be bonded over a tooth to disguise an imperfection including gaps, misalignment, or staining. These can last a decade or longer with proper care .
• Dental bonding – a same-day solution is that of dental bonding, which is the use of a composite resin to reshape a tooth and disguise issues like crooked or spaced teeth. This material does not last as long and is not stain-resistant as porcelain veneers are, but are more affordable and require less time to place.

Consider your options for straightening the smile with Dr. Eric Wiitala

If you are unsure as to the best avenue to take in improving the alignment of your smile, now is a great time to book a consultation visit with our team to learn about the solutions available. The office is located at 9755 North 90th Street and can be reached for an appointment by calling (480) 657-6981.