I am 56 and I face constant problem in my teeth . My lower portion has zigzag teeth in front . They look bad when I open my mouth . Can it be straight ones ? Secondly my all teeth are yellowish in colour, its natural colour . Whole denture looks yellow , can it become white or pale white at least ?
Ans: Hello Dinesh
Yes, your irregular or misaligned lower teeth can absolutely be straightened, and your yellow teeth can be significantly lightened to a natural pale white at age 56.
Dental technology offers highly predictable solutions for both crowding and discoloration at any age, provided your teeth and gums are healthy.
Crowding in the lower front teeth is incredibly common.
You have three options to get it corrected.
* Clear Aligners: These are removable, transparent plastic trays custom-made to gradually shift your teeth. They are highly discreet and allow you to brush and floss normally, making them a popular choice for adults.
* Traditional Braces: Modern braces are much more streamlined than in the past. Ceramic (tooth-coloured) brackets or lingual braces (placed on the back of the teeth) offer very discreet straightening. Both aligners and traditional braces take a few months to show the desired result at the very least.
* Veneers or Crowns: If the crowding is mild and you want an immediate cosmetic fix, a dentist can subtly reshape the front surfaces of the teeth and place thin porcelain shells (veneers) over them to create the illusion of a straight smile.
As we get older, the outer white enamel of our teeth naturally thins out from decades of chewing and brushing. This exposes the underlying layer of the tooth called dentin, which is naturally yellow. Because this yellowing comes from the inside of the tooth, surface-level whitening toothpastes will not change it. However, you can achieve a lighter, pale white shade using:
* Professional In-Office Whitening: A dentist applies a high-concentration bleaching gel and activates it with a specialized light. This is the fastest, safest way to penetrate the enamel and lift the deep intrinsic yellow colour of the dentin.
* Custom Home Whitening Kits: Your dentist creates custom-fitted trays for your teeth and provides a professional-grade whitening gel to wear at home for a few hours a day over a couple of weeks.
* Porcelain Veneers: If bleaching does not achieve the exact shade of pale white you desire, porcelain veneers can permanently cover the yellow dentin with a beautiful, stain-resistant, natural-looking shade of your choice.
Before embarking on any cosmetic or orthodontic treatment, it is vital to address the "constant problems" you mentioned facing with your teeth. Your dentist must first ensure your gums are firm and your jawbone is strong enough to safely move your teeth. He/she may then refer you to the requisite specialist for further treatment.