The Clear Benefits Of Discreet Braces
Effective, discreet and very beneficial for Epsom patients who want straighter teeth
Crooked teeth are the bane of many people’s lives. No matter how well they look after their teeth, and even if they have undergone teeth whitening treatments, there is one thing that is sure to spoil an otherwise great smile and that is when teeth are crooked or uneven. Whilst teeth can be whitened in a short space of time, straightening teeth is not so simple.
Because care has to be taken not to damage the teeth or the bone surrounding them when repositioning them, this has to be done quite slowly, although the time taken will depend on each case. This is sometimes a deterrent for those who would like to have straighter teeth, but it is a reality that needs to be taken into account when making a decision to have your teeth straightened.
Aesthetic orthodontic options
We know that many people tend to think of the old style dental braces when they are thinking about straightening their teeth. These are no longer the only option available though and at the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre we have a selection of what are often described as ‘invisible braces’ that allow patients to wear the orthodontic for the required time but in a much more discrete manner. Of course, the orthodontics aren’t entirely invisible, but these new modern orthodontics no longer using the metallic wires and brackets of old and instead use either transparent medical grade plastic or teeth coloured wires and brackets.
There are essentially two types of ‘invisible braces’ that are used in different situations. One for ‘cosmetic’ corrections such as a minor overlapping of teeth that are visible and one for more significant correction of crooked teeth including those that are not necessarily so noticeable. Let us take a look at both of these types now.
Six Month Smile
This orthodontic system is mainly used where the patient needs to have some minor corrections made to the visible ‘social six’ teeth at the front of the mouth. Although there are other benefits that straightening these teeth brings about, the main reason for having this treatment is usually to have a great looking, even smile. Although its name might imply that this treatment always takes six months, this is not the case and is simply an average time that it takes. In some situations, where only a minor correction is needed, the time taken can be much shorter.
The Six Month Smile orthodontic system does use the traditional ‘wire and bracket’ approach to teeth straightening but does away with the visible metal and instead uses more discreet materials that can be matched to the colour of your teeth. Although these may still be noticeable if people look closely, they are much less visible to the casual observer.
Clear Aligner
This system is more widely used where more significant straightening is needed. As this can often mean a year or more of wearing orthodontics, it becomes more important for those undergoing this treatment to make it as convenient and comfortable as possible.
Clear aligners abandon the wires and brackets of traditional dental braces and instead use a series of ‘trays’ that fit over your teeth. These are produced following scans that we take of your teeth, and you will then be provided with a series of these trays, each of which needs to be worn for a short while before being replaced with the next one. Each tray works to position your teeth gradually and progressively towards their final position.
As the material used is clear, these trays are barely visible other than on a closer inspection, but the benefits don’t end there. The trays are actually made to be removed by the patient, unlike other braces. This is hugely beneficial as it means that you can take them out when you eat food. This also means that you won’t have to worry about whether the food you are eating will get stuck in your braces. It also minimises the risk of tooth decay which can be an issue when food gets trapped in the wiring of traditional braces. You should also remove the trays for cleaning your teeth as well as to keep the trays clean (we will provide guidance on this). Finally, although these should be worn for most of the time, you could also remove them on occasions where you want to feel more comfortable. A good example of this might be attending a job interview. It is important that you keep this to a minimum though as removing them regularly will likely extend the time taken to achieve straighter teeth.
If you have ever thought that a crooked or uneven tooth was spoiling your smile but you didn’t want to wear braces, now might be the time to think again. If you live in Epsom, or anywhere in Surrey, our friendly cosmetic dental team can help you. Why not call us today to arrange an initial consultation with us? You can contact us by calling the Clocktower Dental, Implant & Facial Centre on 01372 720136.