Orthodontic appliances can straighten teeth for improved smiles, but in addition they can also help patients from Bristol when a tooth is missing. They are generally worn for approximately two years, although the time required depends on the severity of the problem. There are mainly three types of orthodontics braces available today. The best type of orthodontics braces for an individual depends on various factors and each brace has their pros and cons.
Metal Braces
These are the traditional or conventional braces. The biggest disadvantage and the main reason why people look for other kinds of braces are because they are very visible and obvious. However, the main benefit of these braces is that they are the most cost effective solution and those who wish to retain the cost to a minimum may have to go with this option.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are made of materials that look like natural teeth. Due to this colour-match material the brackets become hard to see and are less obvious. Because of this low visibility they are also known as clear braces. Even the colour of the wire that goes through the bracket would be much similar to the colour of the teeth. The major concern with ceramic braces is that the material used is not as strong as the metal braces and could get broken. Along with being weaker than the metal braces, they are also expensive, which can be hurtful to your wallet.
Lingual Braces
The other major type of brace is lingual braces. They are fitted to the back and the inside of the teeth rather than at the front. Due to their positioning they can be barely seen and so are also known as invisible braces. These are certainly costlier than both ceramic and metal braces, but given the benefit of invisibility, these braces are in high demand.
For many people the idea of wearing metal braces is a frightening prospect. Having a smile covered in metal wires and brackets can lead to feelings of embarrassment about smiling and awkwardness in social situations. In the past there was no other option to correct a crooked smile but now a brace that is virtually invisible is available from Bath dentists.
The Invisalign product has come to be known as the ‘see through’ or ‘invisible’ brace because they are so hard to see, even from close up. Invisaligns are made from a clear material which moves your teeth in the same way as metal braces. They are crafted using cutting edge computer software and the power of 3D images which allows them to fit perfectly to your unique mouth.
Invisalign braces must be worn for twenty two hours a day but they are completely removable so that you can eat in comfort. Cleaning the Invisalign outside of your mouth is a huge improvement on traditional metal braces which would often trap food and be very difficult to effectively clean. Unlike traditional braces which would have to be adjusted, at regular meetings with your dentist you will be provided with a new Invisalign brace once your teeth have been sufficiently adjusted by the last one. In this way they are far more comfortable than traditional braces with their elastic bands and wires.
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.
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
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.
