Pursuing that pearly-white, perfectly straight smile can cost thousands of dollars, months of time, and a great deal of discomfort.
It’s no wonder that many people are looking for cheaper home remedies for straightening teeth naturally. However, in the long run, you may face even more pain, both in your mouth and wallet, trying an at-home orthodontic treatment.
Key Takeaway
- There’s no natural method for straighter teeth.
- Home remedies can be dangerous.
- The only safe way is to work with an orthodontist.
- There are lots of options, but some can be quite expensive.
Can You Straighten Teeth Naturally
The simple answer is, no, there are no methods of repositioning your teeth ‘naturally.’ The only method to straighten crooked teeth is by using one of a few different appliances under the direction of an orthodontist [1].
Moreover, trying to apply that treatment at home without professional guidance is a very bad idea [2]. In fact, the American Dental Association and Association of Orthodontists assert that the practice can potentially worsen problems, rather than fixing them.
While straightening teeth may seem like a purely cosmetic change, in reality, it can worsen existing problems or create new ones.
Do-It-Yourself Dentistry
Rising costs have prompted people to look for in-home healthcare options whenever possible. It’s understandable, but it’s also risky.
One example discussed on social media is to put small elastic bands around two teeth to close a gap [3]. However, the band can frequently slide up into the gum line, irritating it, causing infection, and eventually cause the teeth to fall out.
Used improperly, clear aligners can also cause some serious problems. Your jaw may end up misaligned or with teeth out of place, causing migraines, difficulty eating, or more serious issues.[4]
How To Straighten Teeth
The safest path to straight teeth involves a treatment plan put together by an orthodontist, including one or more of the following:
- Clear Aligners
- Braces
- Other appliances, such as a palatal expander
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Surgery
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are custom-made, transparent plastic trays worn in sequence to gradually straighten teeth and correct bite issues without brackets or wires.
To be effective, you must wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink, and clean your teeth. Because they are virtually invisible and removable, they offer a highly popular, hygienic cosmetic alternative to traditional braces.[4].
Braces
Braces are attached to the teeth and use wires to move the teeth into position. Elastic bands are sometimes also used to place additional pressure on the teeth to be moved [5]. They are the most common appliance for adjusting crooked or crowded teeth.
Traditional braces use different types of metal wire, however, less obvious ceramic or clear braces are growing in popularity. The ideal age to wear braces is between 10 and 14.
Treatment time with braces depends on the level of crookedness. With a DI score of >15 it can take up to 30 months
Other Appliances
While they are the most common treatment option, even traditional metal braces sometimes aren’t enough, so other treatments might be used as well. These are generally used for crossbite correction, underbite, or other severe issues.
These devices can include:
- Herbst Appliance
- Frankel Function Regulator
- Bimler Appliance
- Palatal expander
- Other fixed or functional appliances [6][7]
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry includes things like bleaching, crowns, and veneers [8]. Veneers may be used to change the shape of a tooth or repair cracked teeth, as well as close gaps or reshape a tooth so it’s straight.
Dental veneers can be either composite or porcelain, with porcelain veneers being more expensive and complicated.
Surgery
Not all dental problems can be solved through tooth movement. Sometimes existing teeth need to be removed to provide more space, or to reposition the jaw as a whole. Surgery is usually reserved for extreme cases.
Orthognathic surgery is divided into two phases, pre-and post-surgery, which can take anywhere from six to 24 months
Clear Aligners: Best Teeth Straightening for Adults
While traditional braces have been available for decades, it’s now possible to choose from other treatment options. Clear aligners are less expensive, they can still correct spacing issues, crooked teeth, and achieve most people’s desired results.
Some options are managed entirely at home, while others require an orthodontist appointment. For the most part, these are used for less serious, cosmetic adjustments.
Byte
Services like Byte will send clear aligner trays directly to your home. Every aspect of fitting, adjusting, and receiving your aligners is handled online. Changes can be completed in as little as 2 months.
Byte’s price tag is around $2000 to $3000, which may seem like a lot until you compare it to traditional metal braces.
AlignerCo
AlignerCo is similar in many ways to Byte. You make an impression at home and aligner trays are sent to you. AlignerCo costs about $1000 to $1500, which is much less than other options. You may need to wait 8 months or more to see results.
Invisalign
Unlike direct-to-consumer brands like Byte or AlignerCo, you can only get Invisalign treatment through a licensed dentist or orthodontist. While this professional, in-office supervision makes the treatment significantly safer and more predictable, it also comes with a higher price tag.
An Invisalign treatment typically costs between $3,000 and $9,000 potentially double or triple the price of at-home options. While this cost can put Invisalign out of reach for some budgets, fortunately, there are more affordable, professional orthodontic alternatives available today.To help you make the best decision for your smile, check out our detailed guide on How Invisalign Works and What to Expect to see if it’s the right investment for you.
FAQ
The safest and most effective way to straighten adult teeth is through professionally monitored treatments like in-office clear aligners or traditional braces. While remote, at-home aligner brands offer convenience, they lack the essential in-person dentist supervision required to prevent permanent damage to your teeth and jaw.
No, the only safe methods are done with the help of orthodontists. It’s not something to try without knowing what you’re doing.
There isn’t a natural process for teeth straightening. It will require an appliance of some sort.
Dentists have a number of options, but there’s no good way to do it solo. Using elastic bands as a DIY method of teeth straightening can lead to infection of the gums or worse.
The fastest, safest way to straighten teeth is through professionally supervised clear aligners or cosmetic braces. Attempting to rush tooth movement using at-home kits without dentist supervision can cause permanent damage to your tooth roots and bone.
Conclusion
Some dental issues simply cannot be resolved with natural methods. Your tooth and jaw alignment are highly precise, and sacrificing your long-term oral health for a quick fix is never worth the risk.
While at-home aligners offer convenience and affordability, they lack the clinical oversight necessary for safe, precise results. Because unsupervised orthodontic treatment risks permanent damage, both the ADA and AAO do not approve of mail-order aligners. For a safe, predictable, and healthy smile, always prioritize professional, in-person dental care.
References:
- “Orthodontic Appliances – MeSH – NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009967.
- “Orthodontists Report Uptick in Number of Patients Attempting DIY Teeth Straightening.” American Association of Orthodontists, 23 Feb. 2017, www.aaoinfo.org/1/press-room/orthodontists-report-uptick-in-number-of-patients-attempting-diy-teeth-straightening.
- Behrents, Rolf G. “Consumer Alert on the Use of Elastics as ‘Gap Bands.’” American Journal of Orthodontics, 1 Sept. 2014, www.ajodo.org/article/S0889-5406(14)00626-X/fulltext..
- Shrivastava A, Mohanty P, Dash BP, Jena S, Sahoo N. Proficiency of Clear Aligner Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2023 Sep 11;15(9):e45072. doi: 10.7759/cureus.45072. PMID: 37842499; PMCID: PMC10568240.
- “Orthodontics/Braces.” Orthodontics/Braces – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center, www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P00870.
- “Orthodontic Appliances, Fixed – MeSH – NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2028132.
- “Orthodontic Appliances, Functional – MeSH – NCBI.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68017289.
- Morley, Jeff. “THE ROLE OF COSMETIC DENTISTRY IN RESTORING A YOUTHFUL APPEARANCE.” The Journal of the American Dental Association, Elsevier, 3 Jan. 2015, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002817714658177.
