Nobody ever wants to wear a brace but everybody wants to have straight teeth but sometimes it is an inevitable sacrifice. One to two years with a mouthful of uncomfortable and unseemly metal braces to have straight teeth at the end. This was always the deal available to patients in the past. This can be particularly unpleasant for patients in their emotionally turbulent teenage years when standing out from the crowd is the last thing they want. It can also be unfortunate for older patients, when the stigma of metal braces being for younger people can be embarrassing especially in a professional environment. Thankfully there is now a solution to this dilemma.

In 1999 a company called Align Technologies introduced their Invisalign range of invisible plastic braces. This was a system that offered genuinely discreet teeth straightening that was also effective. Clear plastic retainer braces had existed before but had often been ineffectual bordering on useless and most patients were still opting for the old fashioned metal braces.

Invisalign braces are manufactured from one millimetre thick clear plastic and moulded to fit over the patient’s teeth with small adjustments. These small adjustments are designed to gradually move misaligned teeth into position over time. By using twenty to thirty retainers, each worn for a period of two weeks (although treatment times do vary on a patient to patient basis), overcrowding and misaligned teeth can gradually be straightened with out the need for fixed metal brackets. Invisalign braces are also almost completely invisible unless standing very close to the patient. They also have the advantage of being completely removable so can be taken out for eating or important business or social occasions.

Invisalign braces are the first invisible brace that offers genuine straightening power as well as a real level of discretion. It is now possible to have straight teeth without having to sacrifice up to two years of your life to the uncomfortable and embarrassing metal brace. Dentists will be able to offer further advice and information about Invisalign clear plastic braces and assess whether they could be suitable for your teeth. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Everybody wants to have beautiful straight teeth but the reality is that only a lucky few are naturally blessed with well-proportioned and perfectly aligned teeth. Once you are over the tidal wave of jealousy what can you do to straighten your own teeth artificially? Well, everybody knows about braces. Metal brackets and wires that look and feel uncomfortable and make you stand out from a mile off, playground bullying and messy eating. That is what many of us think when we think of braces, the dreaded ‘train tracks’. What you might not know is that thanks to technological advances in the last twenty years, there has been a revolution in teeth straightening that has seen an explosion of ultra-discreet and ultra-effective new devices that vastly improve on the old-fashioned fixed metal braces.

Starting with the most discreet we have Invisalign. Released in 1999 by Align technologies, Invisalign braces are one millimetre thick plastic retainers that fit over the teeth gradually moving them into position. A series of twenty retainers are worn for roughly three weeks each over the course of the treatment, which usually lasts about 18 months. The retainers are very discreet and also completely removable for eating and important social or professional occasions.

Incredibly fast teeth straightening is provided by the Inman Aligner and Six-Month Smile braces. The Inman works by pushing out teeth at the side of the dental arc using the power of a coiled spring. This creates room for the overcrowded front teeth to move into and straighten. Six-Month Smile braces focus only on teeth visible when smiling and this more direct approach produces incredibly fast results. Both of these treatments show visibly straighter teeth in as little as six months, an incredible 75 per cent faster than conventional braces. They are also both completely removable.

Modern fixed braces come in the form of Damon braces. Slightly reminiscent of the old metal braces but slicker, smaller and much more comfortable, Damon braces are some of the most powerful on the market. With a revolutionary new sliding mechanism there is no need for painful brace tightening.

Braintree dentists will be happy to run through the vast array of options now available for teeth straightening. Don’t be put off by bad memories of braces. You can now get the straight teeth you always wanted in half the time and with half the discomfort.

Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at advance dental clinic.

After seeing lots of great results on our patients with Invisalign brace treatments I’ve decided to take the plunge and try the treatment for myself. After 2 weeks I’m onto my second aligner and all’s going well after a few days of getting used to wearing the aligners!

More updates in the next few weeks to follow.

Today a very busy investment banker who works long hours in the City signed up for a course of Invisalign orthodontics. At our practice in Chelmsford, Viola provides various types of Orthodontics for our patients. Invisalign is a great way to improve your smile. The clear aligners are very easy to wear, we normally give our patients enough invisible aligners to last for 6 weeks so there’s no need to visit the practice so frequently.