Which dental treatment is best suited to you?

With constant innovations being made within the dental industry, there is a such wide choice of treatment options that sometimes we can be left feeling slightly unsure as to what the next step should be.

When it comes to teeth straightening there are two main options that can take some consideration, traditional braces or Invisalign. The main difference between the two is Invisalign are clear aligners that can be taken in and out, whereas fixed braces are visibly glued to your teeth. Although our fixed ceramic braces are made with translucent materials to help minimise their appearance, Invisalign aligners are less obvious. This itself could be enough for you to base your decision on as when having braces as an adult you may want them to be as discreet as possible.

Suitability

Your dentist will be able to tell you which brace would work best in giving you your desired outcome, but in general fixed braces will provide the most effective results to those who have more complex orthodontic issues. These issues can include significant overcrowding, underbites or overbites, and misaligned jaws.

Invisalign is still able to treat a wide variety of issues, but it does have a limit when it comes to more complex cases. This is not to say that Invisalign is not an effective treatment, because for the right candidate results can be just as good as those with fixed braces and in a fraction of the time. It’s also important to note that unlike traditional braces, pain is very minimal as the retainers work to gently move your teeth without irritating your gums, cheeks and lips.

Time and money

Fixed ceramic braces are of course permanently attached to your teeth, so they are constantly working towards getting you that perfect smile. However, this can take around 2 years with the average person undergoing treatment for 16 to 18 months. The cost of a fixed ceramic brace usually starts at £2,000.

With Invisalign you are advised to wear them for 22 to 24 hours a day, so although you have to take them out when eating, you need to try and spend as little time without them as possible. By not wearing your Invisalign for the recommended time periods you could reduce the effectiveness of your treatment, prolong your treatment time, and even reverse the progress you have already made. In worst case scenarios you may not even be able to fit your aligner back in as your teeth would have moved too much. The cost of Invisalign starts at around £3,500 and if something was to happen to your aligner, such as it being misplaced, an additional cost will be incurred.

Maintenance

One of the main differences between a fixed ceramic brace and Invisalign is the cleaning process. With your traditional brace you will find that they are slightly more difficult to keep clean as you need to pay close attention when brushing to ensure that you are getting to every area of the tooth. Your dentist will want to see you regularly to track your process and appointments with the hygienist will also be necessary to help you avoid any signs of sore gums, tooth discoloration or tooth decay. You will be required to use an interdental brush to clean in-between your teeth as you won’t be able to floss due to the wires getting in the way. Your dentist will also give you small pieces of wax that can be used to relieve any pain that is being caused by your braces rubbing on certain parts of your mouth.

During your Invisalign treatment it won’t be necessary to have as many appointments regarding oral hygiene because the cleaning process is a lot easier, although you will still need to visit the dentist a minimum of once every 4 weeks. Once you remove your aligner you can brush and floss your teeth as normal. Before placing them back in your retainer needs to be cleaned with cold water and gently brushed with a soft bristle toothbrush.

Both Invisalign and fixed braces clearly have benefits, so it’s important to choose what works best for you. To book a consultation, please email us at reception@themewspractice.com or telephone us on 01483 452555.

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