Straight And Even Teeth With The Latest Orthodontic Techniques

Dental braces have advanced considerably and are now much more ‘user friendly’….

Many people in the UK are now not only interested in having healthy teeth but an attractive smile too. The rise in popularity of cosmetic dental procedures has started to revolutionise our smiles and are becoming more and more accessible to a wider group of  people. Some of these treatments are widely used, such as a teeth whitening procedure, but there is one aesthetic issue that sometimes gets neglected a little more than others and that is crooked and uneven teeth.

One of the probable reasons for this is that many people hold memories of dental braces from their youth. Back then, these were often made from a highly visible dark metal, making it impossible to hide the fact that you were wearing them. Some of you may even remember braces wearers at your school being the brunt of cruel teasing. Thankfully, times have changed and the modern orthodontic treatments that we use at Bradley and Partners Dental and Implant Clinic are not only discreet, but more comfortable too.

Modern orthodontics vs traditional braces

The teeth braces that are most familiar to our Canterbury patients are probably the old ‘wire and bracket’ type that were made using dark coloured materials. These are still used but unlike previously, there are now also other options available that allow you to have straighter teeth in a more comfortable and discreet manner.

Two of the most popular ones are Invisalign and Cfast, both of which are available at our local dental practice. It is important to use the correct orthodontics for your own particular problem and you will need to have a consultation with us to determine which is the most appropriate straightening technique for you.

Invisalign

Invisalign is one of a new generation of orthodontics that don’t use the ‘wire and brackets’ system at all, replacing it instead with a series of transparent trays that fit over the teeth. These are produced from impressions that we take of your own teeth so as to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. They are also made using a high quality medical grade plastic that is almost invisible when you wear them.

This system is particularly suitable where significant correction is needed, and also where teeth towards the rear of the mouth need straightening too. Although it may seem less important that these rear teeth need to be straight, having crooked teeth in this area of the mouth can lead to premature wear and an incorrect bite, amongst other things.

You will be given a series of aligner trays, produced according to your needs, with each worn for a short period of time before being replaced by the next. This method allows your teeth to be progressively straightened in a discreet and comfortable manner.

Cfast

Unlike Invisalign, the Cfast orthodontic system does still use wires and brackets to straighten your teeth. Despite this, it is still popular with patients who require less significant correction, especially of the visible front teeth that we sometimes refer to as the ‘social six’. Although having these teeth straightened is important for their health, Cfast is mostly used by our clients to correct minor aesthetic issues with the front teeth, such as overlapping, which often detracts from their smile. They are sometimes then, for this reason, referred to as ‘cosmetic orthodontics’.

Despite using wires and brackets, this shouldn’t deter potential users as both the wires and the brackets are much finer than is the case with regular braces. In addition to this, the brace components are produced in a tooth coloured material that will blend in well with your teeth, making the brace less visible to those around you.

Generally speaking, Cfast orthodontics can straighten your teeth in a shorter time than many other systems which can often take a year or more, especially where significant correction is needed. Depending on the situation, Cfast can often straighten your teeth in around four to six months, leaving you with a much improved smile, whilst also being discreet.

The next step

Given that one of the key reasons patients cite for having their teeth straightened is to improve their smile, it seems logical that, now having even teeth, you will want to show them off. What better way to do this than to have your teeth whitened by one of our Canterbury based cosmetic dentists? Our fast acting and affordable whitening treatment can really help to complete your new and beautiful smile.

If you would like to see how we can help you have straighter teeth, or for any questions or information about cosmetic or general dentistry, please call Bradley and Partners Dental and Implant Clinic on 01227 463529 and speak to one of our friendly receptionists.