My mother has had protruding teeth her entire life. I know she’s been ashamed of her smile, but was never able to do anything about it. My parents worked hard but were quite poor due to not having much education. They sacrificed their own future to make sure I’d have one and gave me a great education. I’m in a place now where I can take care of myself and them. I don’t know if cosmetic dentistry can work or if she’ll need something else. Can you point me in the direction of some options to consider?

Patricia

Dear Patricia,

You brought tears to my eyes in your love and compassion for your parents and what you want to do for your mother. Often you will find when patients have a misaligned bite, they also have headaches. Fixing her teeth will not only help her feel more beautiful, but it can also improve her quality of life. I haven’t examined your mother or even seen a photograph of her teeth so I’m going to give you all the options I think may work. She’ll need an examination to see what will work best in her situation.

Traditional Braces

This is a tried solution, though most adults are not too thrilled with a mouth full of metal. It is what I would use if her case were too complicated for any of the other solutions.

Invisalign Braces

For older patients, I prefer Invisalign. This uses clear aligners to straighten teeth. They are invisible even at a conversational distance.

Because the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays, they will allow her to straighten and whiten her teeth at the same time, giving her a mini smile makeover.

Porcelain Veneers

A final option is porcelain veneers. This is the most expensive. It doesn’t actually straighten her teeth but can make them appear straight. It can also change the shape, size, and color of her teeth at the same time. However, it will only work if her teeth are not too protruded.

I’d take her to see an excellent cosmetic dentist and discuss each of these options. Personally, I favor the second option, but it really is up to you guys to decide what is best for her.

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