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.

One of the first things we notice about people when we meet them is their smile. It is one of the most important ways of communicating that humans have and so it is important that you have a good one. A lack of confidence in smiling because of self-confidence issues caused by your teeth can have a real impact on your life so it is important that you are comfortable and happy with your teeth.

Patients who do not have naturally straight teeth can regain this self-confidence by using orthodontic straightening devices, more commonly known as braces. Braces have been used for decades to straighten teeth but have previously been uncomfortable and ugly metal brackets that can result in a further loss of confidence. Although the teeth would eventually be straight, the procedure involved wearing the unseemly braces for up to two years, which did little to restore patient’s confidence, especially those in their difficult teenage years.

However, with the recent advances in dental technology there are finally more pragmatic solutions to misaligned teeth. One of the most recent and effective braces to emerge is the Inman aligner. A discreet and incredibly fast-acting brace that can achieve visibly straighter teeth in as little as six-months, a reduction of 75 per cent on previous treatment times.

The aligner achieves these incredible results by utilizing the force of a coiled spring. The spring sits on the tongue side of the teeth and gradually moves the lateral teeth out creating room for the front teeth to move into. These are then aligned using a straightening bar that runs along the front of the teeth. This bar is the only visible part of the brace.

The aligner may cause some initial discomfort when fitted but this will usually fade after the first week, but this is common to all orthodontic appliances. Other than this the treatment is relatively free of discomfort. Another benefit of the Inman aligner over traditional fixed braces is that it can be removed for important social or professional occasions.

If you are suffering from overcrowded teeth or lacking the confidence that comes with a beautiful smile, ask a dentist about the Inman aligner and see whether it could bring the smile back to your face. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.