Everybody wants to have a beautiful smile and straight teeth but for those of us not naturally blessed there is the option to have our teeth straightened by orthodontic procedures. Twenty years ago this would have meant having an uncomfortable and ugly metal brace fitted for the best part of two years. But treatments have come along way thanks to advances in dental technology. There is now a whole host of alternative straightening methods on the market, ranging from the very fast to the very discreet. Even metal braces have come along way and do have the advantage of being very effective.
For patients looking for the most discreet straightening possible there is the Invisalign retainer form Align technologies. Introduced in 1999 it was the first plastic brace to be really effective. By using a series of computer designed and manufactured retainers, teeth are gradually moved into the desired position. Invisalign retainers are made form one millimetre thick clear plastic that is almost invisible unless up very close to the patient’s mouth. On average about twenty sets of retainers are needed to complete the treatment, each worn for two to three weeks, although it does vary on a patient to patient basis. The retainers also have the advantage of being completely removable, so no foods are off limits during treatment.
Although very discreet, Invisalign retainers can take a long time to be fully effective. For the patient less concerned with discretion than speed of treatment there is the Inman aligner or Six-Month Smile treatments. Six-Month Smile braces achieve results in, you’ve guessed it, six months, by only focussing on the teeth that can be seen when smiling. This increased focus makes these braces ideal for quick ‘finishing touch’ type straightening. Also fast working, the Inman aligner works by using a coiled spring to push the side teeth out and the front teeth forward while encouraging them to straighten. Achieving visible results after only six weeks, the Inman aligner is effective but also expensive.
In the world of metal braces, The Damon system has created a revolutionary slide mechanism that removes the need for painful and regular tightening. Incredibly strong, and far more discreet than old-fashioned metal braces, the Damon brace creates very straight teeth.
Straight teeth can give you the confidence to smile as well as limiting the chance of developing painful complications with bite. They can encourage good profiles and most importantly, give you a reason to smile. A Wirral dentist will be able to discuss with you which system would be most appropriate to straighten your teeth.
Dentistry and orthodontistry have made huge advances in the last twenty years. Previously, for patients wishing to straighten their teeth, the only option was to have uncomfortable and unseemly metal braces fitted for the best part of two years. For millions of teenagers this meant facing the embarrassment of braces during the most emotionally difficult developing years. For adults it meant facing the stigma that they were too old to wear them.