It’s never been a better time to consider teeth straightening, and here in Bristol we offer a diversity of brace types, including Invisalign and Six Month Smiles.
With brace designs having become more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing over the past couple of decades, it’s no surprise that more people are booking an appointment with the orthodontist. Both Invisalign and Six Month Smiles have been engineered to suit the modern adult, boasting both a discreet design and predictable treatment outcomes.
If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, read on to find out whether Six Month Smiles or Invisalign would suit your needs.
Invisalign
What is it?
A removable and transparent aligner system that applies gentle force to all of your teeth at the same time, moving them into a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing position.
Key features
– Transparent custom-made plastic aligners
– Must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours each day.
– Must be changed over every 2 weeks by the patient.
Best for?
Invisalign requires patients to be responsible for changing their aligners over and for wearing them for the necessary 22 hours each day. If you think you might need a treatment that doesn’t demand as much patient discipline, a fixed brace might be more suitable, as you won’t have to worry about either of these issues.
Advantages?
– Incredibly predictable results, thanks to digital imaging and SmartTrack material, designed to provide continuous and gentle force, yielding maximum control.
– Gives patients the flexibility to eat and brush normally, as the aligners can be taken out without treatment being compromised.
– Discreet design.
Average treatment time?
The average treatment time with Invisalign is between 12-18 months. Once we’ve gathered all the necessary diagnostic information, we’ll be able to tell you how many months you can expect your case to take.
Six Month Smiles
What is it?
A fixed and discreet brace that achieves results in a matter of months (six, as the name suggests!)
Key features
– Fixed design
– Quickly and gently moves teeth.
Best for?
Patients looking to make cosmetic alternations to their ‘social six’ teeth, AKA those most on display when you smile. Six Month Smiles can combat crookedness, spacing and misalignment with the top and bottom front teeth.
Advantages?
– If you’ve got a special occasion not far around the corner, Six Month Smiles is a hugely transformative treatment to get your teeth looking great in very little time.
– The presence of ceramic brackets and tooth-coloured archwires make this a discreet fixed brace.
– Uses the reliable mechanisms that have been employed by traditional metal braces for many years.
Average treatment time?
Treatment with Six Month smiles is generally between 4 and 9 months.
Dr Scott Deacon, our specialist in orthodontics at The Bristol Dental Practice
Our specialist in orthodontics, Scott Deacon has a special interest in Invisalign and lingual braces. He currently lectures in these specialist areas to many different kinds of professionals, including surgeons, dentists, fellow specialist orthodontists, nurses, hygienists and undergraduates.
Read more about Scott’s diverse experience and expertise here.
The takeaway
So, the question is less to do with which brace system is ‘’better’’ and more to do with what is most suitable for your orthodontic case. If you’re purely looking to make speedy cosmetic adjustments to your top and bottom front teeth, Six Month Smiles, available here in Bristol, may be suitable for you.
What are the benefits of straightening your teeth?
Healthy teeth: straighter teeth make accessing all your tooth surfaces much easier, resulting in more efficient brushing and flossing, and a healthier smile.
Improve your self-esteem: a crooked smile can be a serious source of low self-esteem. You’d be amazed at how much of a positive impact orthodontic treatment can have on how you feel about not just your smile, but your whole self-image.
Advantages for your general health: we’re seeing an increasing number of studies definitively linking poor oral gum health to poor cardiovascular health and to Type 2 diabetes.
Reduce unpleasant symptoms: once treated, crooked teeth will cease to cause you problems such as neck and jaw pain, which can come about as a result of excessive stress on the gums and jawbone.
Release happy chemicals: if you’ve not been happy with the state of your teeth, you might have been holding back from smiling, particularly in public. Finding the desire to smile again can help those all-important endorphins (happy chemicals) get released, helping you to get the natural buzz that comes with this. Studies have shown that when the body regularly releases chemicals like endorphins, it’s less prone to stress, benefitting your whole immune system in the long term.
Orthodontic treatment knows no age!: in the past, orthodontic treatment was often solely linked to younger patients. Yes, it’s true that teeth are easier to move when the jaw is still developing, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t benefit, especially with the brace technology that exists today. As long as you have healthy teeth (this means teeth that are decay and gum disease-free), you should be eligible for treatment with braces.
Six Month Smiles in Bristol
Read more about Six Month Smiles (also commonly called ceramic braces) here. We look forward to seeing you at a Six Month Smiles consultation here at The Bristol Dental Practice.
Invisalign in Bristol
Read more about Invisalign here. We look forward to seeing you at an Invisalign consultation, here in Bristol.
Contact us for teeth straightening here in Bristol
Contact our friendly reception team to book in for an initial chat with our treatment coordinator, who can talk you through the range of braces we offer at the practice. This is also a great opportunity to pose any questions you might have and there is no obligation to proceed with treatment.
Why not also familiarise yourself with our dental practice here in Bristol by taking our 3D tour?