How can I get straight teeth in time for graduation?

December 14, 2009 – 6:44 pm

I am starting my final year of graduate school, and will finish around this time next year. It feels like I’ve been working towards graduation day all my life, and I want everything to be perfect. In some class pictures we took recently (we’re a small, tight-knit group), I noticed how tight and uncomfortable my smile looked next to everyone elses’. It’s because of my awful teeth! They are crowded and crooked, and have embarrassed me all my life.

I want a new smile to go with the new phase in my life. I did some searches on the Internet about braces, but it looks like that will take way too long (up to 3 years!). Is there a faster way? I want to be able to smile my widest on graduation day.

Thanks for your help,

Siobhan from Boston

Dear Siobhan,

Congratulations on your upcoming celebration. You’ve worked hard, and deserve to feel as confident on the outside as you do on the inside.

I would caution you, however, about relying too heavily on the Internet to make decisions about your dental care. You really need to seek the opinion of a skilled cosmetic dentist who can look carefully at your situation and make a recommendation.

Generally speaking, if you want to have straight teeth fast, the quickest route is porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers do not actually straighten the roots of your teeth, but they make the portions of your teeth that can be seen (the crowns) look as if they are perfectly aligned. This could also take care of any issues you have with discoloration or misshaped teeth. If you chose this route, be very, very certain that you chose the right cosmetic dentist. Check their education and credentials! Review their website to see the before and after pictures in their smile gallery.

Another route that is faster than conventional braces is Invisalign invisible braces. Most people who chose Invisalign are generally done with treatment in 6-9 months, and it almost never takes more than a year. Even if your treatment is not completely done at the time of your graduation festivities, you can always remove the aligner for pictures and the ceremony itself.

The best option for you is to go to an expert cosmetic dentist who does Invisalign braces. That way, you can get their informed, honest opinion on which option would work best for your unique situation.

Good luck!