Dentist Braces

I need my teeth straightening, what types of braces are available to me?

That depends on what level of treatment is required, if your teeth are severely crooked, your options will be limited to some extent, but there will be some type of brace that can help with your problem.

Broadly speaking, braces fall into two categories; fixed and removable. Typically, fixed appliances are for more drastic cases, whereas removable ones are for teeth that don’t need to be moved too much, and for retaining the new position afterwards. Removable braces can also be used to align jaws and correct bites, but they tend to be quite bulky when used for this purpose. Fixed braces are good for spacing the teeth more evenly and for moving stray ones into a better position.

How do they work?

Braces can move teeth tiny amounts every day, by applying continuous pressure to them at the appropriate angle. In this respect, fixed braces can sometimes work faster because they are in place all the time, whereas removable appliances might be neglected or deliberately left out, slowing down the treatment – of course, this depends on the devices in question, when used correctly, temporary braces can be much more effective than fixed ones. The treatment period with braces is also affected by the type of orthodontic system selected, some can take up to three years to complete the required changes and others have been known to work in as little as two months. Furthermore, not all dental surgeries offer the most up-to-date technology, at the Pearl Dental Clinic, numerous treatments are available to fix crooked teeth, including all modern procedures and top-of-the-line manufacturing techniques.

I’m an adult, does that matter?

Quite a high percentage of people who were given braces during their adolescence will see some degree of reversion in their teeth as they grow older, perhaps because they didn’t continue to wear a retainer or they just weren’t given the correct treatment in the first place. Others who may have had no trouble with their teeth growing up may find that they need help as their wisdom teeth have come in, or their bite has just changed with age. Whatever the reason, dentists have no problem treating adult with braces, and they certainly won’t be surprised to encounter older patients at their surgeries. Also, thanks to more discreet brace systems, more and more adults are coming forwards and asking for treatment, where in the past they may have been nervous about being laughed at or feeling juvenile when wearing them. The only issue that may affect you if you are an adult is that you may have to wear the appliances for a longer period of time, because it takes longer to move fully grown teeth than it does adolescent ones.

As far as the cost goes, you’re likely to have to pay much more for your treatment as an adult in the UK; the NHS covers orthodontics for under 18’s, but the only way you will get the National Health to pay for your braces is if there are sound medical grounds for free treatment and you are in desperate need. However, you can still fix your smile even if you’re short on cash, there are lots of clinics that provide finance plans to help you spread the cost.

What kind of braces could I get?

It’s best to carefully consider your budget when beginning orthodontic treatment, go for the best you can afford, and perhaps pay in instalments – you’ll be glad you did in later years. There are some really top-notch systems on the market these days, designed to deal with all kinds of dental problems.

Traditional metal braces – Wires and brackets make up the ‘train tracks’ every one thinks of when they imagine braces. They are still widely used and work well with extreme miss-alignment, but there are several more advanced appliances that can provide similar results in a fraction of the time.

Ceramic braces – These are similar to metal braces in appearance, but are slightly more discreet and good for patients who are allergic to metals.

Aligners – Commonly referred to as ‘invisible braces’, these unobtrusive appliances are great for helping people who don’t have very crooked teeth, because their movement is precise but limited. They are formed from transparent resin and are fitted over the teeth like a shield. They are completely removable and resistant to stains. Invisalign is a popular brand of aligner.

Lingual braces – These work in the same way as traditional ‘train tracks’ except they are fixed to the back of the teeth, so no one knows they are being worn. They are particularly useful with patients who don’t want to be seen with braces, but who have dental problems that aligners can’t fix.

Inman aligners – Kind of a hybrid between a retainer and a set of ‘invisible braces’, the Inman aligner is fast becoming a contender on the UK market, gaining popularity thanks to its amazingly fast and accurate results. This type of treatment is limited to the front teeth on both the upper and lower jaw, but can make dramatic changes to crowded or badly spaced teeth in a matter of months.

Are braces difficult to live with?

Most patients who are fitted with fixed braces will tell you that there is some pain and tenderness during the first forty-eight hours, but after that, they should settle down – this is due to the initial push and pull on the teeth. If you’re really suffering, try some over the counter pain killers to relieve the discomfort. Removable braces will also cause some aching, but they are usually for cases that require less movement and don’t apply large amounts of pressure to the teeth in the same way as fixed appliances.

As far as cleaning is concerned, removable devices are far easier to live with than brackets that are bonded to the teeth because they can be taken out whilst brushing and eating. It’s difficult to clean around wires without specialist flossing implements, and food can easily become stuck in hard to reach places. If you’re going to have fixed braces for a long period of time, it might be a good idea to schedule regular cleaning sessions with an oral hygienist, this will prevent bacteria and food debris building up in places that you can’t get to.