Over the years, the stigma attached to braces has gradually been worn away. There are a number of reasons why this has happened. Firstly, a general change in prevailing attitude has meant it is now more important than ever to have straight teeth. Secondly, improvements in technology have meant that braces are more affordable to all patients and are no longer prohibitively expensive. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the technological improvements have meant that braces are no longer the large unsightly metal brackets of the past. All sorts of new developments have seen the introduction of more comfortable and less visually intrusive braces.

The first significant change was the introduction of effective invisible, or clear plastic braces. In 1999 Align technologies introduced their Invisalign range which for the first time made invisible braces an effective alternative. Initially expensive, the cost of Invisalign treatment has come down in the last few years and is now an option available for all.

Although the most discreet, the Invisalign system is quite a lengthy one. Other braces on the market now offer incredibly rapid straightening. Both the Six-Month Smile and Inman braces offer visible straightening results in less than six-months, an astonishing reduction in treatment time of 75 per cent on more conventional braces. More suitable for smaller overcrowding issues, threes braces are perfect for more mature patients wanting to put the finishing touches to a beautiful smile.

Even the old metal brace has had an overhaul. Damon braces are similar in style to the old train-track braces but utilise clear plastic and ceramic brackets to offer a more discreet treatment. Also, by using their revolutionary sliding mechanism there is no need for painful regular tightening.

Whatever your straightening needs, there is a brace that is best suited for your teeth. Whether it be a complete straightening procedure or just moving that last tooth into position, a City of London dentist will be able to advise you on the most suitable brace for you.

For patients who require braces, it can be a long and uncomfortable experience, not to mention the unseemly appearance of metal braces in the mouth. For patients requiring only minor adjustments it can be too big a sacrifice to wear metal braces just to achieve a minor improvement, especially for adults, given the stigma attached to braces. More recently we have seen the advent of clear plastic retainers, which while very discreet take a very long time to be effective. Again, to achieve a minor improvement this was often too much to ask for many patients.

There is, however, an alternative to metal braces and plastic retainers. The Inman aligner is as effective as old-fashioned metal braces with the added bonus of being very discreet. For most people it is almost impossible to notice an Inman aligner unless up very close.

The aligner works by using a coiled spring, on the tongue side, which pushes the side teeth out and simultaneously pushing the front teeth in to the extra, vacated space. When the teeth are given this extra room, they naturally tend to straighten.

Although not completely invisible, the Inman aligner achieves such stunning results in such a short period of time that most patients are willing to overlook this small disadvantage. In most cases, treatments show results between six and sixteen weeks, which when compared to the 18 month treatments for plastic retainers, is simply astonishing.

Like all orthodontic appliances, the Inman aligner may cause some discomfort when initially applied, but this will soon disappear when the teeth become accustomed to the force. This usually happens within a week of the first use. Other than this the process is completely painless.

The Inman aligner is perfect for patients with small overcrowding or spacing issues. It can really add that extra something to a smile that otherwise might be missing. It is not really suitable for major straightening issues, which may require more substantial corrective treatment. Consult your City of London dentist about the Inman aligner and you could achieve that perfect smile you’ve never quite had before.

For those of us not blessed with naturally straight teeth, to achieve that winning smile that everyone strives for, it is necessary to undergo some kind of orthodontic straightening procedure. In most cases this will involve having a brace fitted. This is often a large sacrifice to make; having a mouth full of uncomfortable and unseemly wires for months is a large price to pay for straight teeth. Braces are often fitted to patients in their teenage years, which is an emotionally difficult time to stand out from the crowd. For older patients, the idea of wearing a brace has a certain stigma attached that they are often unwilling to confront.

There is now an alternative. Clear or invisible braces from Invisalign, introduced in 1999 by Align Technologies, can help to straighten teeth without the need for obtrusive metal braces. Invisalign is a series of clear plastic retainers that are specially designed for the patient’s teeth, worn for two or three weeks at a time before being changed, that make small adjustments in the teeth structure. It usually takes twenty or so sets of retainers to achieve the desired affect, only marginally longer than conventional metal braces and with minimum visual difference to real teeth. In fact, Invisalign braces are so discreet it is almost impossible to notice them unless up very close to the wearer.

Made form one millimeter thick plastic, the retainers also have the added advantage of being completely removable. This means that meal times are less fuss, and no foods are off limits unlike with metal braces.

Invisable braces have existed before, but with the aid of computer aided design and manufacture, Invisalign braces can be produced to stunning levels of accuracy. The use of 3D projections can accurately predict the expected outcome of the system and can adapt to any changes if necessary. Central London dentists offer Invisalign as an alternative to normal metal braces, so you may be able to straighten your teeth without having to sacrifice your smile.

For patients who have always dreamed of straight teeth put couldn’t face the prospect of having to wear ugly and uncomfortable braces or retainers for as long as three years, there is finally another option. Patients will now be able to achieve the perfect smile they have always wanted in as little as six months, with the aptly named Six-Month Smile treatment.

Six-month Smile can be used to treat orthodontic concerns such as overcrowding, spacing and problems arising with bite. It is able to achieve incredible results in such a short time because, unlike more conventional braces, the treatment focuses on only correcting the position of teeth that show when you smile. Using specially designed nickel titanium wires, the teeth are repositioned so that those at the front are able to move into more natural looking positions. Because of this more focused approach, treatment time can be reduced by as much as 75 per cent compared to regular braces.

Other advantages that the Six-Month system has over regular metal braces are that the wires are small and tooth-coloured meaning that they are far more discreet than metal ‘train-track’ braces. The levels of discomfort felt by the patient are also reduced when compared to conventional metal braces, and even Invisalign clear braces.

It must be said, that although Six-Month braces are discreet, they cannot compete in this department with the virtually invisible Invisalign braces. However, treatment will be significantly shorter and the accompanying cost is greatly reduced. Two more reasons why more and more patients are opting for Six-Month Smiles.

Six-Month Smile braces, like all orthodontic treatments, may involve a small a mount of discomfort but this will be a great deal smaller than with other straightening systems. Once fitted, the patient will require ten to fifteen minute appointments every four weeks to adjust the wires.

A London dentist will be able to provide you with further information about the advantages of Six-Month Smile braces. If they are suitable for you, you could have the beautiful straight smile you’ve always wanted, in under six-months.

Everyone dreams of having straight teeth. For some people this happens naturally, for others smiled upon less favourably by Mother Nature, it requires a bit of artificial assistance. When most children start to enter their teenage years it is fairly evident to the dentist if their teeth are developing crooked and will require straightening. It is beneficial to act as soon as possible, as the older the patient gets, the more difficult it becomes to manipulate the teeth into the desired position.

The only real option to artificially develop straight teeth is to use orthodontic straightening devices, more commonly known as braces. That is where the lack of choice ends however, as in the last fifteen years the variety of braces available to patients has exploded. Gone are the days when the only option was unseemly and uncomfortable ‘train-tracks’ that were the cause of so much playground baiting and bullying. Today’s braces offer ultra-fast and incredibly discreet treatment that yield just as pleasing results.

You may opt to have the Invisalign treatment which involves having a serious of invisible retainers fitted over the course of the treatment, each one making a small adjustment to the teeth. These retainers are all but invisible unless standing extremely close to the patient. Other modern alternatives include the Six-Month Smile treatment, which by focusing on only the visible teeth can achieve incredible results in just six-months. Equally as fast is the Inman aligner, a removable brace that uses coiled springs to create room in the tooth line.

Even the more traditional metal braces have come a long way in terms of aesthetic appearance and comfort, and they have the added bonus of being the most sturdy and thorough of the choices. Whatever the nature of your teeth, there is a brace that can work for you, whether it is a complete realignment or just that minor adjustment that’s always bothered you. A City of London dentist can offer you the most up-to-date advice on which braces would best suit you. Don’t be frightened by your preconceptions of braces. They really have changed and can help you achieve the smile you always wanted.

There is no question that children with crooked teeth should have teeth straightening done as quickly as possible. Aside from concerns about appearance, crooked teeth are impossible to keep clean. Eventually, this can lead to all kinds of dental and health problems later on in life. Today, dentists in the City of London offer a number of methods that can be used to straighten teeth.

As may be expected, you can obtain traditional braces and retainers. While this may be the cheapest method, there are also some other types of appliances that are more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. You may even be surprised to find that the price difference is not as severe as it used to be.

Today, there are a number of variants to traditional braces that can be used for teeth straightening. Among other things, you might be interested in invisible braces, as well as ones that are placed on the back of the teeth. While these braces cannot be seen, they will still need to be adjusted by your dentist as your teeth move into their correct alignment.

On the other hand, there are also invisible retainers that make the whole process of straightening teeth painless and effortless. You may even be able to have a retainer that can be removed while you are eating. At the same time, most people will not even know that you are wearing a retainer to correct dental misalignments.

For the most part, teeth straightening procedures still rely on appliances that use gradual and steady pressure to move teeth into their optimal alignment. Fortunately, the braces and retainers used today are not always silver colored, or difficult to clean. Without a question, the use of plastics and resins has created a revolution in the way braces are made and worn. Today, if you have crooked teeth, there is no reason to suffer with them, or the long term consequences.

There are currently many different ways available to straighten teeth. Depending on your needs, and the extent of misalignment of your teeth, some methods work better than others. Your City of London dentist will evaluate your teeth and perform a complete oral examination, dental X-rays, and study models, in order to determine how to go about straightening your teeth. Depending on which teeth are to be straightened and whether there is crowding or spaces, your dentist will either use orthodontic brackets and wires or perhaps offer you the Invisalign® system. If only your front teeth need to be straightened your City of London dentist may recommend the Inman® aligner. These braces and appliances take different amounts of time to achieve their goals. Your dentist will tell you all of the advantages and disadvantages of different teeth straightening procedures, along with their cost and approximate length of time to complete their goals. Following treatment, a retainer may need to be worn to stabilize your teeth in their new position. This will also allow the surrounding oral bone to remodel itself and tighten around your teeth.

The London Dental Clinic offers the Invisalign® system to straighten your teeth. This is achieved using a sequential series of clear plastic teeth aligners fabricated using a special computer, Invisalign® is successful, as well as being almost unnoticeable. The Invisalign® system offers comfortable tooth movement more quickly than full traditional orthodontics. It usually takes a year to complete versus 2-3 years for normal braces. Invisalign® should not be used on very crowded teeth and partially formed teeth, and shouldn’t be considered a substitution for ordinary braces if and when they are required. Consult your London dentist for a consultation and to see if Invisalign® is right for your dental needs.

Visit your London Dental Clinic for a consultation about using orthodontics to straighten your teeth and improve your bite. In the past, adolescents and teenagers seemed to be the only patients with orthodontic braces. This trend has reached many adults in recent years. However, it is still good to have braces at a younger age, if at all possible. It is recommended that you should get an orthodontic consult for your children by age 7 years old if at all possible. Independent of age, orthodontic treatment will help to perfect your bite and your teeth’s ability to function properly and to align your teeth and offer a more cosmetic result. Straighter teeth can also help you to perform better oral hygiene.
You London dentist may feel you are a good candidate for braces, and may send you to an orthodontist. The orthodontist will perform a complete exam and work up specifically for your needs, and will then review the proposed treatment with you. Depending upon the extent of your treatment, your treatment may take between 1-3 years to complete. Since children and teens are still developing bone structure, their treatment may go more quickly than in an adult patient. However, this is dependent upon yours or your child’s specific situation.

In the past, it seemed like only adolescents and teenagers wore orthodontic braces. However, more recently braces are also being worn by adults. Approximately 30% of orthodontic patients in the U.S. are adults, and others countries are catching up to this percentage. Even though this trend is here in London, it is still a good idea to start orthodontic treatment at an early age for the best results. Your London dentist recommends that children have an orthodontic evaluation at 7 years old. Malocclusion and crooked teeth are both a restorative and cosmetic issue. Independent of your age, orthodontic treatment can help to protect your bite, increase your teeth’s ability to perform their functions, and align your teeth, allowing for a more aesthetic appearance. Additionally, straighter teeth can make good oral hygiene easier to perform and maintain.
If your dentist feels that you are a candidate for orthodontics, they will most likely refer you to an orthodontist (i.e., a specialist in the field). Initially, the orthodontist will use various methods to develop your treatment plan. These methods include: facial and intraoral photographs; a facial, oral and functional exam; panoramic and cephalometric radiographs; and alginate impressions for your plaster dental models to analyse your teeth and bite. Then the orthodontist comes up with a specific treatment plan for just you, and presents this to you during the second visit. The orthodontist will also tell you how long the whole process will take. This is usually dependent upon the complexity of the situation, how well the treatment plan is followed, and the age of the patient. Younger patients usually have shorter treatments than adults, due to the supporting bone structure around the teeth. But, this again is dependent upon a number of other factors.