Cosmetic dentistry refers to any kind of dentistry that is not required for health reasons but solely to improve the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. It is the fastest growing branch of dentistry as more and more emphasis is placed on the importance of having a great smile and healthy looking teeth. Until about thirty of forty years ago, the concept of cosmetic dentistry barely existed as dentistry was only for functional purposes, but pioneering techniques by dentists in the US, the natural home of cosmetic dentistry, expanded the possibilities of dental treatment.
Now, if you walk into any dentist surgery in the UK you will be able to receive a whole array of amazing and complex cosmetic dentistry treatments. There is not a set of teeth in the whole world that cannot be improved by a series of cosmetic dentistry procedures and the possibilities are almost endless.
Some of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures available at Bristol dentists are teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. At virtually opposite ends of the price scale, these two treatments are popular because of the amazing results that are achievable. Both can radically improve the condition and appearance of the teeth, making the smile healthier and the patient look younger. Other treatments include gum contouring to even the size and shape of the teeth and dental bonding, which can be used in a number of ways.
Another area of cosmetic dentistry that has expanded rapidly in recent years is the orthodontic straightener. These are different from braces in the sense that they are removable and much faster acting. They tend to concentrate more on the appearance of the front teeth that are visible when you smile. Some orthodontic straighteners such as the Inman aligner work in as little as six weeks, although the average treatment time is shorter.
Everyone is familiar with the rather unpleasant metallic smile associated with fixed metal braces used for orthodontic teeth straightening. Anybody of a certain age remembers the fear of having these metal train-track braces fitted and the teasing that almost inevitably accompanied them. Fortunately for today’s generation of teenagers and young adults, there are a range of more discreet straightening systems available on the market.
By far the most discreet however is the Invisalign system of clear plastic braces. Made from one millimetre thick see-through plastic, Invisalign braces are almost completely invisible to anyone not standing within a few feet of the patient’s teeth. The system works by using a series of clear retainer braces, worn for a period of roughly two weeks each, making small adjustments to the alignment of the patient’s teeth.
The aligners are also completely removable meaning the impact of the patient’s life is significantly reduced. For the first time there is a brace that fits around the patient’s lifestyle and not the other way round. The advantages of Invsalign over more conventional braces are clear for all to see, but there are differences when it comes to feeling as well. Because the braces involve no metal, there is no uncomfortable or irritating rubbing on the soft tissue of the mouth. When a new retainer is fitted there maybe some minor discomfort as the teeth adjust but this is common to all orthodontic treatments and very quickly wears off as the wearer becomes accustomed to the new brace.
Invisalign braces are available from Bath dentists who can give an estimation of cost and length of treatment, which may vary according to the degree of straightening required by the patient. With Invisalign presenting a genuine alternative to fixed metal braces there is no longer a need to fear orthodontic teeth straightening and no barrier to having the perfect smile.
One of the most exciting developments in orthodontic straightening in the last ten years has been the Six-Month Smile treatment. Offering straighter teeth in an incredible, and you’ve guessed it, six-months. This is a reduction of nearly 75 per cent on the average straightening time for more conventional straightening methods. The Six-Month Smile system also promises reduced levels of discomfort throughout the treatment, a major complaint from other brace wearers.
Six-Month Smile braces are able to achieve these incredible results by focusing more directly on teeth that can be seen when smiling. By using nickel-titanium wires, the brace repositions overcrowded and misaligned teeth. Because of the more focussed approach Six-Month Smile braces are ideally more suitable for patients with minor straightening issues. Some patients may require extractions and temporary metal braces prior to using the Six-Month Smile brace. Alternatively, for patients only requiring the ‘finishing touches’ to their teeth straightening the brace is ideally suited.
The wires used in the braces are tooth coloured and very thin. This makes the braces very discreet. In fact they are hardly noticeable unless standing very close to the patient’s mouth. This makes them ideal for more mature and professional people eager to avoid the stigma attached to fixed metal braces. Six-Month Smile braces are also completely removable, meaning they can be taken out when eating and for important professional or social engagements.
The braces require a ten to fifteen minute appointment each month to tighten the wires. This is a more gradual tightening regime than other braces and is therefore a lot more comfortable. It also means that your Bristol dentist will be able to keep a close eye on the progress of your teeth throughout the straightening process.
If your teeth require the finishing touch straightening power of the Six-Month Smile treatment, make an appointment to see a Bristol dentist and you could achieve the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
For people of a certain generation the idea of wearing braces can be quite terrifying. Ugly, chunky and messy metal ‘train track’ braces were the scourge of a generation but things have come a long way in the last fifteen years. Orthodontic treatment now comes in many shapes and sizes but thankfully all of them are more attractive then the old fixed metal braces. None more so than Invisalign clear plastic braces.
Introduced in 1999 by Align technologies, the Invisalign system utilises a series of twenty or so clear plastic retainers, each worn for a period of two to three weeks. Each retainer is designed with a subtle change in order to move teeth into the required position. Made from one millimetre thick clear plastic, the retainers are almost invisible to anyone not standing up close to the patient’s teeth. They are also completely removable meaning that they can be taken out for eating and for important business or social occasions. In fact in most cases, no one will ever really know you are wearing a brace at all.
Although treatment times do vary from patient to patient depending on the level of overcrowding, most treatments last approximately 18 months. This is slightly more than some of the ultra-fast braces on the market but in terms of discretion and effective straightening, Invisalign braces are hard to beat. It is also worth saying, however, that for cases of severe overcrowding it may be necessary to have some teeth extracted and a temporary metal brace before starting the Invisalign treatment.
Whether you are a school student in your difficult teenage years or a professional eager to avoid the stigma attached to metal braces but still desiring straight teeth, Invisalign braces might be the solution you have been looking for. Weston-super-Mare dentists can offer you more extensive information about the benefits of Invisalign braces, so make an appointment today and start your journey to beautiful straight teeth.
Orthodontic teeth straightening has come along way since the days of ugly and unseemly metal ‘train track’ braces. Today it is possible to straighten teeth in a fraction of the time, a minimum of discomfort, and this is perhaps the key bit, with a far greater element of discretion.
One of the new breed of braces is called the Inman aligner and it promises visibly straighter teeth in only six-months. This is an incredible 75 per cent faster than the old fixed metal braces. For patients who want to have beautiful straight teeth but don’t fancy the prospect of nearly two years with a mouth full of metal and wires this could be just the answer. This is especially true when you consider that most brace wearers are in their difficult teenage years. Standing out for the crowd can have long-term effects on self-confidence and self-esteem.
The Inman aligner works by using the power of a coiled spring to force the lateral teeth outwards. This creates room for the overcrowded front teeth to move into the space, where a front bar-brace straightens them to the desired position. This metal bar at the front is the only visible part of an otherwise very discreet straightening system.
Patients may feel some discomfort when the brace is initially fitted but this rarely lasts longer than a week and is common to almost all orthodontic straightening devices. After this period the treatment is relatively painless throughout. The Inman aligner is also completely removable meaning that it can be taken out for meal times and also important business or social occasions.
If you have always wanted to have straight teeth but were never that keen on traditional braces, make an appointment to see a Chepstow dentist and ask them about the Inman aligner and the other magnificent advances in brace technology over the last twenty years.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
One of the most exciting developments in orthodontic straightening in the last ten years has been the Six-Month Smile treatment. Offering straighter teeth in an incredible, and you’ve guessed it, six-months. This is a reduction of nearly 75 per cent on the average straightening time for more conventional straightening methods. The Six-Month Smile system also promises reduced levels of discomfort throughout the treatment, a major complaint from other brace wearers.
Six-Month Smile braces are able to achieve these incredible results by focusing more directly on teeth that can be seen when smiling. By using nickel-titanium wires, the brace repositions overcrowded and misaligned teeth. Because of the more focussed approach Six-Month Smile braces are ideally more suitable for patients with minor straightening issues. Some patients may require extractions and temporary metal braces prior to using the Six-Month Smile brace. Alternatively, for patients only requiring the ‘finishing touches’ to their teeth straightening the brace is ideally suited.
The wires used in the braces are tooth coloured and very thin. This makes the braces very discreet. In fact they are hardly noticeable unless standing very close to the patient’s mouth. This makes them ideal for more mature and professional people eager to avoid the stigma attached to fixed metal braces. Six-Month Smile braces are also completely removable, meaning they can be taken out when eating and for important professional or social engagements.
The braces require a ten to fifteen minute appointment each month to tighten the wires. This is a more gradual tightening regime than other braces and is therefore a lot more comfortable. It also means that your Bristol dentist will be able to keep a close eye on the progress of your teeth throughout the straightening process.
If your teeth require the finishing touch straightening power of the Six-Month Smile treatment, make an appointment to see a Bristol dentist and you could achieve the perfect smile you’ve always wanted.
For people of a certain generation the idea of wearing braces can be quite terrifying. Ugly, chunky and messy metal ‘train track’ braces were the scourge of a generation but things have come a long way in the last fifteen years. Orthodontic treatment now comes in many shapes and sizes but thankfully all of them are more attractive then the old fixed metal braces. None more so than Invisalign clear plastic braces.
Introduced in 1999 by Align technologies, the Invisalign system utilises a series of twenty or so clear plastic retainers, each worn for a period of two to three weeks. Each retainer is designed with a subtle change in order to move teeth into the required position. Made from one millimetre thick clear plastic, the retainers are almost invisible to anyone not standing up close to the patient’s teeth. They are also completely removable meaning that they can be taken out for eating and for important business or social occasions. In fact in most cases, no one will ever really know you are wearing a brace at all.
Although treatment times do vary from patient to patient depending on the level of overcrowding, most treatments last approximately 18 months. This is slightly more than some of the ultra-fast braces on the market but in terms of discretion and effective straightening, Invisalign braces are hard to beat. It is also worth saying, however, that for cases of severe overcrowding it may be necessary to have some teeth extracted and a temporary metal brace before starting the Invisalign treatment.
Whether you are a school student in your difficult teenage years or a professional eager to avoid the stigma attached to metal braces but still desiring straight teeth, Invisalign braces might be the solution you have been looking for. Weston-super-Mare dentists can offer you more extensive information about the benefits of Invisalign braces, so make an appointment today and start your journey to beautiful straight teeth.
Orthodontic teeth straightening has come along way since the days of ugly and unseemly metal ‘train track’ braces. Today it is possible to straighten teeth in a fraction of the time, a minimum of discomfort, and this is perhaps the key bit, with a far greater element of discretion.
One of the new breed of braces is called the Inman aligner and it promises visibly straighter teeth in only six-months. This is an incredible 75 per cent faster than the old fixed metal braces. For patients who want to have beautiful straight teeth but don’t fancy the prospect of nearly two years with a mouth full of metal and wires this could be just the answer. This is especially true when you consider that most brace wearers are in their difficult teenage years. Standing out for the crowd can have long-term effects on self-confidence and self-esteem.
The Inman aligner works by using the power of a coiled spring to force the lateral teeth outwards. This creates room for the overcrowded front teeth to move into the space, where a front bar-brace straightens them to the desired position. This metal bar at the front is the only visible part of an otherwise very discreet straightening system.
Patients may feel some discomfort when the brace is initially fitted but this rarely lasts longer than a week and is common to almost all orthodontic straightening devices. After this period the treatment is relatively painless throughout. The Inman aligner is also completely removable meaning that it can be taken out for meal times and also important business or social occasions.
If you have always wanted to have straight teeth but were never that keen on traditional braces, make an appointment to see a Chepstow dentist and ask them about the Inman aligner and the other magnificent advances in brace technology over the last twenty years.
