When the time comes to straighten your teeth, there are a few different options for you to choose from. Each one brings their own advantages and can help to improve the look of your smile through various straightening methods. Having misaligned teeth can lower your self-esteem and make you reluctant to show off your true smile. This is why it can be such a great feeling to get one of these treatments and improve the look of your teeth.
Ceramic braces
This type of invisible braces Clapham is similar to traditional fixed braces, but the brackets that are used are made out of ceramic or plastic. This helps to give a smoother look for when you get your braces. The white colour of the ceramic will help them to blend in well with your teeth, and give a more natural appearance. There is still the use of a wire to hold the brackets together but the appearance is softened by the white brackets.
How do they work?
Once you have had your consultation meeting with your dentist, you will have a second appointment where your braces will be attached. Wires are used to hold brackets that are individually attached to your teeth, and the wires are adjusted every few weeks by your dentist, which is called a tightening. The tightening appointments are important as this is what will move your teeth over time.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are also similar to traditional fixed braces, but instead of being attached to the front of the teeth, they are attached to the back. This is really useful if you are looking for invisible braces, as no one can see them at all. They work in the same way that traditional braces do, using wires and brackets, and you will still go to tightening appointments with your dentist. You can usually choose whether to use metal or ceramic brackets, but it may not matter that much to you seeing as they are on the back of your teeth and no one would ever know you had them. This treatment is only growing in popularity due to the invisible appearance of them, as you may not want to draw unwanted attention to your teeth whilst straightening them.
Invisalign
Another option, and one of the most popular invisible braces treatments out there at the moment is Invisalign. This treatment uses plastic clear aligners that fit snug to your teeth and straighten them. They are also removable, meaning that it is very easy to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. This also means that you can eat whatever you want to, as you can simply remove them before you eat, give your teeth a quick brush and pop them back in.
How does it work?
You will be given multiple aligners by your dentist, each one being a different stage towards your straighter smile. You will usually change to the next aligner every 1-2 weeks, and you only have to visit your dentist every 4-6 weeks for a check-up and to be given new aligners. It is recommended that you wear your aligners for around 22 hours a day to get the maximum effect. The total treatment time for Invisalign usually varies from 12-18 months depending on your needs. Sometimes, if you have a very mild case, such as one misaligned tooth, you can straighten it in as little as 3 months with Invisalign.