Will a Dental Flipper Make My Teeth Look Straight?

I have teeth that are not straight. I am way too old for a metal mouth to get braces. Someone told me about a dental flipper that could snap over my teeth and make them look straight. Do you know if this works? How long do they last?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

I am glad you wrote. I think your friend has some terms mixed up. A dental flipper is a temporary tooth replacement. There is something that will snap over your teeth, but that is called a snap-on smile. While it could make your teeth look straight, Snap-on Smile is made of acrylic, which means that it will not look natural. You should also expect to replace it every few years.

The good news is you still have a couple of options: Porcelain Veneers or Invisalign. With porcelain veneers you can get a complete smile makeover. They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. While they won’t straighten your teeth, it is possible for them to make your teeth look straight. These can be expensive and do require you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. But, when done well, can give you a stunning smile. It’s what celebrities use to get their perfect Hollywood smiles.

If you want to actually straighten your teeth without traditional braces, then Invisalign is a great solution. This uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth. They are invisible even at a conversational distance, which is why some people call them invisible braces. They can also double as teeth whitening trays, which means you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time, giving you the equivalent of a mini smile makeover for a fraction of the cost.

Unless you have a desire to change the shape of your teeth (not their position), then you can save a lot of money going the Invisalign route.

This blog is brought to you by a gentle dentist from Naples, Dr. Andrea Cameron.