The words ‘metal braces’ conjures up horrible visions of a mouth full of metal tubing with rotting food stuck to it. It’s true that fixed metal braces can look ugly in the mouth and can be a nightmare to clean. But braces and aligners have changed dramatically over the past 10 years and the best example to back this statement is the Invisalign treatment, and there are many reasons you should choose this teeth straightening method over metal braces. Firstly, wearing braces is a chore and look ugly and embarrassing in the mouth- with Invisalign there’s none of this. It’s a completely transparent gum shield that’s barely visible in the mouth at all. Secondly, traditional braces are hard to clean and house damaging bacteria that can lead to other problems in the mouth; Invisalign can be removed for eating and for brushing and flossing and most important of all, kissing! But the third advantage of Invisalign is treatment times. It works on the teeth very quickly in a third of the time that metal braces take to work. Ok, Invisalign is a lot more expensive, starting at around £1800. But if you are a teenager, all the afore mentioned advantages are very important and can mean the difference between growing up in those all important, formulative and influential years, with or without the fear of hurtful, schoolyard ridicule.

One of the major drawbacks with wearing braces is the visual impact it can have on the teeth and the smile. The metal wires and brackets are quite unattractive despite their functional ability to produce great looking teeth. Wearing these ugly braces, especially in the difficult and image conscious teenage years can be very difficult and lead to a loss of self-esteem and in some cases even bullying. But there is now solution to this dilemma that straightens teeth without a significant aesthetic loss to the teeth.

Invisalign braces are clear plastic braces that are almost impossible to see when in the mouth. Made from plastic about one millimetre thick, they contain no wires or any other metal parts. They are specially designed for the individual’s teeth and capable of producing results in three quarters of the time of traditional fixed metal braces.

The system works by replacing the retainer every two to three weeks with a new one designed with slight adjustments. This gradually moves the teeth into the desired position through the course of the treatment. About twenty-five retainers are needed on average to achieve the best results.

The other major advantage of Invisalign braces is that they are completely removable. This means they can be taken out for teeth cleaning and for sports and other social activities. As long as they are worn for roughly twenty hours each day they will still produce the desired effect. The cleaning aspect of Invisalign is particularly important as conventional braces often leave marks when removed because the brackets have covered certain areas when the rest of the tooth has been exposed. With Invisalign you can clean all parts of the teeth right the way through treatment. Ask a London dentist for more information.

Braces can help to radically improve the appearance of a smile. Not only do they align and straighten teeth but they can also improve bite and profile altering the appearance of more than just the teeth. However, braces can cause other problems in the mouth, especially if they are of the fixed bracket variety. Certain parts of braces such as wires and elastic ties can attract bacteria and brackets and palates can trap food particles which can be breeding grounds for bacteria.

If teeth are not cleaned sufficiently when wearing braces they can leave patched areas when the brackets are removed at the end of treatment. Therefore it is very important to keep teeth clean when you are wearing braces. This involves sticking to a cleaning regime very diligently and one that may be more vigorous than for people without braces. If teeth are not kept clean during orthodontic treatment it can cause dental decay and gum disease that may be very difficult to treat because of the braces. This can increase the damaging power of these conditions.

Central London dentists recommend that patients undergoing orthodontic treatment try to clean their teeth and braces four times a day, after each meal and before bedtime. This helps to remove food trapped in the brace and any bacteria that may have accumulated. It is also recommended that brace wearers floss at least twice a day. Carrying floss and a travel toothbrush with you can help you to remember to clean your teeth even if you are not at home. Your diet can also help to keep your teeth clean. By avoiding sugary foods during orthodontic treatment and eating more fresh fruit and vegetables you can help to keep your teeth healthy. Also, you will need to keep up your six monthly dental appointments.

Orthodontic treatment is most effective when patients are in their teenage years. This is the time when, usually, all of the baby teeth will have been replaced with permanent teeth yet the teeth and jaw are still developing. The teenage years also happen to be the most important years of emotional development. For many teenagers, wearing a metal brace can make them stand out from the crowd at precisely the wrong time. For those patients who wear a brace later in life, the stigma of braces being for younger people can be very embarrassing. However, there is an alternative for patients who still want to have straight teeth but don’t want to wear unseemly metal braces.

Introduced by Align technologies in 1999, Invisalign braces are clear plastic retainers that fit over the patients teeth and move them into the desired position. Almost completely invisible unless standing very close to the patient, Invisalign braces also have the advantage of being completely removable, so can be taken out for important business or social occasions.

Clear plastic braces had existed before but had been far less effective than Invisalign retainers and many patients still opted for the fixed metal braces. Made form one millimetre thick clear plastic, Invisalign retainers utilise the latest in three-dimensional computer technology to achieve incredible degrees of accuracy. A series of about twenty retainers will be used throughout the treatment, each with a small adjustment and worn for about two to three weeks. The average treatment time is 18 months but because of the complete level of discretion and comfort, many patients do not find the length of treatment to be an issue.

As the cost of Invisalign retainers becomes more and more affordable with the advances in technology they are increasingly becoming the brace of choice for patients and dentist alike. If you have always wanted straight teeth but could never face the prospect of a mouth full of metal, or if you simply don’t want to have your braces noticed, ask a Central London dentist about Invisalign braces.

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.