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The world of orthodontics has evolved greatly over the past few decades, and for the better. Something that was once only considered to be for young people has attracted adult patients, seeking to improve the look and the health of their smile. Today, the types of braces available to patients offer a better degree of day-to-day flexibility, cosmetic appeal and comfort than ever before. It’s these advancements that have paved the way for the increase in people choosing to straighten their teeth and improve their bite. It’s never too late to improve your smile, be it in the interests of your health, confidence or both.
Braces used to be predominantly associated with children. However, with orthodontic systems becoming more aesthetically pleasing and celebrities publically getting behind the idea of having braces, orthodontic treatment has become much more commonplace amongst adults. What’s more, a healthy-looking smile is associated with success and happiness; research has shown that we’re more attracted to those with healthy-looking smiles, which appears to have motivated many to address problems like an uneven bite, spacing, and misaligned as well as crowded teeth.
It’s a myth that braces aren’t for all ages- in reality, anyone with reasonably strong and healthy teeth and gums can endeavor to improve their smile. This said, the earlier structural problems with your smile can be treated, the better your oral hygiene and dental health can be maintained in the future. Routine dental check-ups play an important role in spotting any structural changes and movements your teeth go through, allowing us to recommend a course of action that can minimise the need for more complicated interventions later down the line.
It may sound like a cliché when we say that transforming your smile by addressing orthodontic issues can change your life – but it really can. We see a huge difference in patients’ wellbeing post-treatment. Many find their desire to smile again and feedback to us that their relationships with others, both personal and professional, have improved thanks to the self-esteem boost treatment has provided. Here are some further reasons to consider braces:
Have a healthier smile: the most obvious benefit associated with getting braces is the effect it has on your appearance. However, something many patients don’t consider as often, is how it can render your teeth healthier. Poorly aligned teeth can make everyday activities like brushing, flossing and eating a challenge, increasing the risk of plaque build up which can lead to gum disease and decay.
Protect your teeth from wear: if you suffer from a misaligned bite, this has the potential to cause uneven force distribution, leading to tooth wear. In some cases it can impact upon the joints, leading to headaches and jaw pain. Investing in treatment with braces early can reduce the chances of this happening.
Protect your teeth from injury: overbites and underbites (when the top and bottom teeth protrude respectively), can leave you at higher risk of injury to these teeth, particularly in contact sports.
Have a wider choice of cosmetic dental treatment: structural problems with your teeth have the potential to limit cosmetic dental treatment in the future. For example, veneers can be extremely complex in patients with an uneven bite.
At Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic we have a variety of braces available to suit a range of issues. During a consultation appointment, we can take you through the braces we offer, the benefits and objectives of each and how much flexibility they allow for day-to-day. See below to learn a little about the braces we offer and what they can achieve:
Inman aligner
A removable brace, the Inman Aligner aims to straighten the front teeth in your upper or lower arch, in as little as 6 to 16 weeks. This treatment is popular with older patients looking to correct minor cosmetic issues with their teeth and find their confidence to smile again. One of the Inman Aligner’s most notable features is patients can remove it to eat and brush as normal.
Damon system
Treatment with Damon braces can last between 9 – 24 months, depending on the type of issue being treated. One particular benefit of the Damon system is it applies very light forces throughout treatment and helps to enhance your facial features, giving the effect of a profile ‘lift’. This often results in a younger-looking appearance. Damon braces are also known for the high level of comfort they provide during treatment.
Six Month Smiles
As the name insinuates, Six Month Smiles aims to deliver results for patients in 6 months. Whilst treatment can’t fix problems with your bite, it’s possible to make cosmetic changes to your front upper and lower teeth, known as the ‘social six’ – the teeth most visible when you smile. Six Month Smiles is a fixed treatment but incorporates discreet design elements like ceramic brackets and tooth-coloured wires as part of its design.
Invisalign
Invisalign has become globally popular, having treated over 9 million patients since 2000. The treatment comprises of a transparent set of removable aligners, designed to keep your teeth looking great. Invisalign can correct a variety of orthodontic issues, ranging from mild to moderate levels of complexity and is particularly appealing to patients who want to eat and brush normally throughout their treatment. We find adult patients are particularly drawn to Invisalign, thanks to the discreet appearance of the aligners.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces differ from the other treatments on our list, fitting over the back of your teeth, next to your tongue. Not only does this make them virtually invisible to others, it also means your front tooth surfaces are protected from potential damage. Lingual braces can be fast-acting, giving you motivation right from the start, and they’re able to treat a whole host of orthodontic complications, including more severe problems.
Whatever your age, if you’re unhappy with your smile, please don’t hesitate to contact Stourbridge Dental & Implant Clinic. We’re currently offering FREE remote consultations for patients here at our practice in the West Midlands. Let us help you on your path to a healthy and beautiful smile.
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