Many of us would probably admit a yearning for a Hollywood smile – if we haven’t already got one that is! Something to dazzle others and to make us feel good about our appearance. Perhaps some of us are unhappy that our teeth might be crooked or maybe they have been discoloured or chipped.

In this day and age there are numerous ways of improving our appearance through getting our teeth straightened. From traditional braces to veneers, the possibilities are endless. Our intention is to give you a brief synopsis of the different treatments available to get your teeth straightened.

Fixed Braces

a) Fixed Orthodontic Braces

OK, these are the traditional braces you may have had in mind when thinking about methods of teeth straightening. The procedure is fairly simple – metal wires are attached to the front of the teeth and tightened over time to get them into a straighter position. Modern advances mean you can get coloured braces and even tooth-coloured ceramic brackets.

b) Lingual Braces

Think of the traditional fixed orthodontic braces – but in reverse. These are fitted to the back of the teeth, making them a more aesthetically-pleasing option for the patient.

c) Damon Braces

Designed to avoid the pain of friction, Damon Braces don’t have any elastic ties. So, they are more comfortable for the user and a quicker solution than conventional braces.

d) The Six-Month Smile

This is a relatively new treatment blending tooth-coloured brackets and wires which focus on shifting the teeth which are seen when a patient smiles. The object is to provide a speedy solution.

Aligners

a) Invisalign

The clue is in the name! Moving away from the image of metal wiring, these are similar to plastic gum shields which are not very noticeable due to the fact they are see-through. The aligners are changed every two weeks.

b) Inman Aligner

Now, think of a cross of braces and Invisalign and you’re just about there. The Inman Aligner has some metal components and, as the name would suggest, is a removable aligner which helps shift the teeth into position over time.

Veneers

You may be interested to learn about porcelain veneers, which while not technically straightening the teeth do give the appearance of providing a perfect smile. These are placed over the front of the patient’s teeth and are a solution for crooked and chipped teeth. Quick, easy and less painful than braces – although part of your teeth may need to be removed to ensure the veneers can be fixed on.

Teeth Straightening – Final Pointers

Hopefully the above information has helped inform you on the choices out there. Some methods of teeth straightening are unfortunately not suitable for everybody so it’s all about deciding what is right for the individual. Speak to your dentist to help you further. Different factors will need to be decided – what’s practical, what’s comfortable and in many cases, what’s cost-effective.

We’d all like to have the perfect smile and today there are so many ways of improving the way we look through the advances of cosmetic dentistry.

Braces, teeth whitening and veneers are just some of the procedure available for patients looking to improve their appearance.

One option open to people considering cosmetic dentistry is gum contouring, which is a form of reshaping the gums. This ideally suits patients who might have what is known as a ‘gummy smile’. To be more specific, this is where the gums cover too much of the teeth.

Read on to find out more about the procedure and how it works – and whether it would suit you.

Gum contouring

Traditionally the process of gum contouring has been carried out with a scalpel, although more and more dentists are nowadays opting to use more modern special laser devices to achieve the desired effect required by the patient.

Here’s how it works: anaesthetic is applied to the area of the inside of the mouth which is being targeted and then a scalpel or laser are used to trim away parts of the gum which lie over the teeth. Crowns and veneers may be used once the procedure is complete during what is usually a pretty simple and painless process.

A significant difference between using a scalpel and a laser are that the latter is able to seal blood vessels during the procedure, which reduced the amount of blood released during the procedure.

Is it that simple?

There are cases when the cutting and reshaping of the gum does not fully achieve the desired effect and occasionally the dentist may opt to remove some of the bone where the teeth are rooted.

However, please be aware that this is down to the decision of the dentist, as they seek to appropriately carry out the cosmetic procedure for the benefit of the patient.

What else should I be aware of?

Due to the use of anaesthetic, the patient should find the experience relatively pain free while it is being carried out. There is a fairly quick healing process too, although it may take longer if a scalpel is used.

However, be aware that the removal of too much gum can make it difficult for the area which has been addressed to heal properly, potentially leading to swelling which may require further treatment to be dealt with.

In addition, expect to pay a relatively high amount for a gum contouring procedure. With a laser apparatus, it is likely to cost about £120 – although you could pay a lower price if a scalpel is used.

Are you interested in giving your teeth a makeover? Whether it be improving the structure of our teeth or whitening them to boost our appearance, there are a range of options open for people considering cosmetic dentistry.

Now you might be interested to know more about Lumineers, which is one way open to people to help boost the appearance of their teeth by covering stains and helping fill gaps.

Interested? Then why not find out more?

Lumineers- Think of contact lenses

Lumineers are a special type of ultra-thin veneers made by American firm Cerinate. Crucially they are as thin as contact lenses and this is the key selling point of Lumineers- they are made from special porcelain that is strong but at the same time much thinner than traditional veneers.

The main function of Lumineers is to provide a solution for stains and chips, as well as slightly misaligned teeth.

One of the best things about Lumineers is that the procedure of improving the patient’s smile does not require the natural tooth structure to be changed in order for the changes to work effectively. This also means a relatively painless procedure compared with many other forms of cosmetic dentistry currently on the market.

Lumineers are also a versatile solution and can be fitted over crown and bridge work without much fuss, making them a no-hassle solution in most cases for patients who choose this option.

Patients may only need two appointments to have the Lumineer fitted into place and they are clinically proven to last for more than 20 years.

What else should I be aware of?

There are some limits on the availability of Lumineer veneers. Please be aware that not every cosmetic certified dentist will offer this treatment, as registration with the manufacturing company is required.

In addition, Lumineers are only able to be made from unique Cerinate porcelain – which can only attained from the Cerinate Smile Design Studio in America.

Let’s re-cap

So, here are the main advantages of Lumineer veneers:

A relatively painless procedure, with little long-term change to the structure of teeth.

A speedy procedure, with as little as two appointments with a dentist required to fit them.

Versatility – they can be fitted around crown and bridge work.

Have you ever dreamed of having pearly white teeth to dazzle and impress? The passage of time and possible bad eating habits can leave teeth stained and discoloured and more and more people are now choosing an increasingly simpler option to improve the appearance of their teeth. It’s known as teeth whitening and the process is a lot easier and more widely available than you might realise.

How can I get my teeth whitened?

There are two main ways in which you can your teeth whitened which are offered by dental practices. One procedure is known as laser teeth whitening, which would take place at the dental practice. The second option open to patients is to use professional home whitening kits. Both processes use a bleaching gel to achieve the desired effects.

Tell me about laser teeth whitening

For instance results you might want to choose this option, upon the advice of your dentist, where a light-triggered bleaching gel is used to whiten the teeth.

Here’s how the process works:

1.  First the dentist will perform a scale and polish, removing tartar and surface stains.

2.  The patient will then have the shade of their teeth recorded – with the dentist normally capturing a digital image.

3.  The intensive procedure can then get underway. The bleaching composite will have a high quantity of peroxide so protection is put around the gums, while the patient will wear goggles to protect their eyes. This is followed by the whitening gel being applied to the teeth and then shone with a light or laser to trigger it. After about fifteen minutes the gel is taken away and then the procedure is repeated.

4. The whitening gel is then washed off and the results can be compared with the initial shade of the patient’s teeth.

5. In many cases the patients may be asked to complement the process by using home whitening kits after the procedure in the dental practice.

What are professional home whitening kits?

To create a home whitening kit the dentist will obtain a mould of the patient’s teeth with dental putty. From here the technician on hand will then use this to create a replica of the patient’s teeth from plaster to make custom teeth whitening. The trays, which may be need to be worn overnight, are then combined with professional whitening gel until the patient is satisfied with the end effect, with the timescale varying.

Is there anything else I should be aware of?

Not everybody is able to have teeth whitening and it’s up to your dentist to decide the appropriateness during a consultation. Patients undertaking the procedure will also need to be aware that teeth are likely to be extremely sensitive for a short period of time following the procedure. Finally, you may wish to find out more about the cost of teeth whitening. This is likely to depend on the clinic where the whitening is being performed, along with the type of treatment used and the skill of the dentist performing the procedure.

In this day and age people expect a quick and efficient service – whether it be queuing in a shop, ordering an item or having dental treatment.

Well, speed is certainly king when it comes to the Six Month Smiles treatment, which has been hailed as a significant advance in the world of orthodontics.

It can be used as a solution for overlapping teeth, spacing, overcrowding and other dental problems the patient may seek to fix.

After finding success in America, it is now being developed in the UK. So why not find out more?

The Six Month Smiles Treatment

The Six Month Smiles Treatment seeks to do what is says on the tin. In other words, provide the patient with straightened teeth with an average treatment time of six months. Patients who use it are able to access a fast service which should cut down on the time spent wearing braces.

So what’s the secret? Well, dentists or orthodontists who use this new treatment have special wires which are believed to speed up the process of teeth straightening.

The treatment focuses on adjusting the teeth that are showing when you smile, using unique nickel titanium wires to realise this.

What are the benefits?

Time is the key here, with treatment time reduced by up to 75 per cent.

The treatment seeks to provide a fast solution for patients, which could be a particularly advantage for someone looking to straighten their teeth in time for a wedding. It might also appeal to adults wanting a quick fix solution rather than undergoing treatment that might last years.

The Six Month Smiles Treatment is cheaper than Invisalign, the clear aligner method, and also promises to be discreet by using small and tooth-coloured wires.

The results can improve the patients’ confidence and boost oral health too.

Are there any downsides?

As with any cosmetic dental treatment there’s the chance there may be some slight discomfort at first, including a possible minor effect on speech. However, the teething problems are likely to disappear after a period of time getting used to the braces.

How much does it cost?

Pricing will depend on the dental surgery you visit but is likely to cost a similar amount to traditional braces. Dentists are normally able to offer payment plans to suit the individual’s budget.

What next?

There are a range of options for getting teeth straightened, with the Six Month Smiles Treatment offering a number of advantages over its alternatives. The best thing to do would be to speak with your local dentist or orthodontist for advice before deciding what to do next.

In this day and age improving your smile does not have to be an ordeal. In fact, you may be interested to know about The Inman Aligner, which allows patients to have a faster, more discreet service. Want to learn more? Then read on…

The Inman Aligner

In case it wasn’t clear, an Inman Aligner is an orthodontic appliance that is used to straighten teeth, helping the user achieve a better smile!

A brace that can be removed and which is able to move teeth in due course, it relies on pressure brought about by a coiled spring on the reverse side of the teeth side and a bar that is located on the face side of the teeth to ease the teeth into position through the course of a push and pull motion.

The Inman Aligner serves as an ideal option if Invisalign is not to your taste – which similarly uses a removable appliance but is an entirely different procedure. Inman Aligners are limited to the degree of movement they can create and normally are better suited to abnormalities of the higher and bottom front teeth. For cases where overcrowding is present they are not all that ideal.

So, what are the advantages?

Speed is king here. Expect shorter treatment times than you would with invisible braces. The braces are removable too, so the patient can eat and clean their teeth during the treatment – making the experience a little more hassle-free.

In terms of costs, you should expect to pay less than you would for invisible braces and in addition, only one aligner is needed for the entire treatment – which is again another big plus for the user.

Are there any downsides?

It is worthwhile to consider that the Inman Aligners are not as discreet as the Invisalign system. The level of movement they can achieve is also restricted so it’s important to speak to your dentists, who will be able to decide whether this is the right sort of treatment for you. Not all orthodontists provide The Inman Aligner system so this may be another factor to consider.

What will I need to pay?

As mentioned previously, the cost of Inman Aligner treatment is a lot less than with invisible braces. Although cost will come down on a number of points – these include the complexity of treatment required, the dentist where the procedure is done and of course, how long it’s likely to take. However, anticipate paying in the region on £1,250 to £2,500 for the treatment.