Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a special field of dentistry which focuses on the treatment and study of improper bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions can occur due to irregularity in the teeth or issues with the relationship between upper and lower jaws and if left untreated can lead to variety of oral health issues.

Types of Orthodontics

In the past, patients looking for straight teeth had to opt for a fixed wire brace which would be constantly worn for upwards of a year. Fortunately, due to recent innovations in dental technology there's now more options for tooth realignment than ever before.

Lingual braces

Lingual braces can be used in much the same way as traditional orthodontic equipment but the key cosmetic difference is the lack of the usual metal supports on the front of your teeth. In the past braces could only be fit in a certain position; right on the front of your teeth but due to improvments in dental technology this is no longer the case. The important difference with Lingual Braces is that they can be placed on the rear of your teeth, hiding the majority of the metal parts. This means that they can realign your teeth just as effectively as a traditional brace but without the aesthetic impact of a fixed wire brace. There's several advantages to using Lingual braces over their traditional counterparts. The main benefit is cosmetic, as Lingual braces aren't visible from the front which makes them an excellent option for patients who wish to avoid the highly-visible traditional braces. In addition to being completely invisible, your lingual braces will strengthen and realign your teeth in the same time frame as traditional braces.

Inman Aligner

The Inman aligner itself is looks quite like a a regular gumshield but the casing which covers the teeth is completely transparent, minimising the aesthetic impact and making it much more difficult to spot. The Inman Aligner uses a coiled spring which puts a firm but gentle pressure on your teeth in order to tip them in the right direction. Part of the Aligner also works behind your teeth, which creates a piston-like action. This works together with the bar running across the front of your teeth to gently squeeze your teeth into the desired position. Due to this unique system, the time it takes to correct any dental problems with the Inman aligner tends to be much shorter than the treatment period required in other kinds of invisible braces. The Inman Aligner is set up to automatically adjust itself, which reduces the need for follow up visits. It's also completely removeable, meaning you can opt not to wear the Aligner sometimes, however it's important to note that the more you wear your Inman Aligner, the quicker the results will become visible. And it's normally advised that you wear the aligner for at least 16 hours a day.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are an interesting innovation which have several differences from traditional orthodontic solutions. They use a different style of arch and brackets which make use of low friction mechanics. The Damon brace system makes use of a slide mechanism which helps avoid several potential problems which could affect traditional braces such as binding and friction. This has several benefits including a much quicker treatment period and less follow up visits to your dentist. The slide method puts a softer force onto your teeth, making the treatment a lot more comfortable but still maintaining the effective results which come with traditional braces. Damon braces are also 'self-ligating'. This means that, the elastics which provide tension (in order to gradually move the teeth) are replaced by the slide mechanism which can move teeth quicker and with less discomfort. Damon braces also have hygienic benefits in that they attract less plaque than the elastics used in traditional braces. The brace itself is made from a transparent ceramic material which has a number of advantages over traditional types of braces.

6-Months smile

6-Month Smiles are a type of brace with highly discreet aesthetics which makes use of very thin wires, coloured to match the same shade as your natural teeth. When using the 6-months smile brace the teeth are moved very gradually with low amounts of force, this means that results are effectively delivered and the patient experiences minimal discomfort throughout the treatment period. The 6-Months method uses state of the art dental technology to maneuver your teeth quickly and effectively. 6-Month smiles can be safely used to treat a number of orthodontic issues such as over or underbite, teeth which stick out, gaps or crowding.

Invisalign

Invisalign another brace which aims to minimise the aesthetic impact of wearing a brace by appearing discreetly as possible. It's very hard to tell if someone is wearing an Invisalign brace unless you're very close. Invisalign produces results similar to those of conventional braces, throughout the process teeth are gradually moved by a set of transparent plastic aligners. The brace itself is very slim meaning that it is very hard to spot and can be used in a variety of public or social situations. Invisalign patients also report that the brace is much more comfortable to wear than it's traditional counterparts. Another important difference between invisalign and conventional braces is that an invisalign brace is completely removable which puts a great deal of responsibility for the treatment on the patient themselves. The main drawback to this system is that treatment times and the cost involved may be drawn out as teeth may take longer to move into the correct position if the patient doesn't wear the Invisalign brace enough.