Orthodontics – Bracing you for Straight Teeth

New Street Dental Care's Dr James Mackenzie with a special interest in Orthodontics, what he has to offer

Each year over 200,000 teenagers have braces placed and there is an ever-growing demand for adult cosmetic orthodontics (British Orthodontic Society, 2018).

Not only can they improve your smile, but when your teeth and jaws work in harmony with each other, your teeth meet together properly, you can eat more comfortably and clean them easier and better.

Why would you want braces though?

Braces can move teeth in several ways, in particular they can:

Move crowded teeth so that they are in alignment with each other
Close large gaps between your teeth
Correct the way your teeth meet together so your top and bottom jaw come together on closing properly (sometimes the top teeth cover the lower teeth too much when closing or the bottom teeth sit outside the top teeth when closed and sometimes the top and bottom front teeth don’t meet at all)
Move a prominent tooth or teeth so that they are less likely to get damaged
Improve the way your smile looks
Help impacted, un-erupted or displaced teeth to get into the right position

Diagram showing how teeth look before they are moved using different types of braces

There are three main types of braces; metal, ceramic and clean plastic aligners. You will need to seek advice and discuss what type would be best for you. It mostly depends on how the teeth need to be moved as to which one you can have.

Traditional Fixed Braces

What traditional fixed braces look like

Metal braces, or ‘train tracks’ remain the most common type of fixed brace and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, they straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding coloured elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colourful smile.

Clear (Ceramic) Braces

What ceramic fixed braces look like

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, they are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts.

Testimonial

Testimonial from M. Smith who was very happy with her treatment of braces

‘A HUGE thank you for giving me my smile back. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled so much since I had my braces work. So pleased!’ M Smith (New Forest)

Clear aligners (Invisalign)

Clear Aligners show how they are almost invisible

A series of clear plastic aligners are custom made for your teeth and move them little by little. Before they are made, advanced 3D imaging is used to show you the movement of your teeth from their original position to the final desired one. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. Each is worn for around 2 weeks before being replaced by the next one in the series.

Six Month Smile, Invisilign, Quick Straight Teeth and Damon braces all available at New Street Dental Care in Andover

We are inviting you to come to us at New Street Dental Care for consultations. If you are interested in having braces we have a fabulous new team member, Dr James Mackenzie who has a special interest in orthodontics. To book an appointment of for more information feel free to contact New Street Dental Care on 01264301301 or email us at info@newstreetdentalcare.co.uk for some friendly advice.