Orthodontist Manchester – Invisalign vs Lingual Braces

If you’ve been reading a lingual braces blog and feel that a discreet form of tooth straightening treatment is what you need, then you might also want to take a look at what Invisalign offers Manchester patients. While both lingual braces and Invisalign treatments are indeed discreet, there are some differences. Our orthodontist Manchester explains….

Lingual braces

If you’re looking for a discreet form of orthodontic treatment then lingual braces are about as discreet as conventional bracket and wiring style braces get. Why? Because unlike traditional metal braces, the brackets of lingual braces are attached to the rear of the teeth, so all the action happens at the back. For this reason when you smile or speak the person that you’re speaking to or smiling at, won’t see that tell-tale glint of metal. Lingual braces work by applying continual gentle force to pull the teeth back into position. Just like Invisalign aligners, lingual braces are what is known as full-term treatments and can fix a wide variety of orthodontic problems including over/underbites and cross bites, plus helping to maintain correct teeth spacing. Because lingual braces are fitted to the rear of the teeth it does require specialist training. As a result not every orthodontist in Manchester will offer it. However those that do, suggest that it’s every bit as successful as many other brace systems.

Invisalign Aligners

Just like lingual braces, what Invisalign offers Manchester patients is complete discretion. However that really is where the similarities end. Whereas lingual braces are fixed and utilise conventional brackets and wiring to move teeth, lingual braces are fully removable and use a series of clear acrylic aligners which help the teeth move in a natural way. Each acrylic aligner is worn over the teeth, just like an invisible gum shield, and is designed to move teeth to a certain position before the next aligner in the series takes over. Patients can expect anywhere between 24-36 aligners during treatment but in some cases there may be more. Treatments last on average 18 months but can take up to 3 years. While any good lingual braces blog will tell you that they take some getting used to, Invisalign aligners are usually worn with no problems from the start. Finally and just like lingual braces, Invisalign aligners can also treat a wide variety of dental problems.

So there you have it! Hopefully this Invisalign/lingual braces blog has given you all the information you need to make an informed dental decision about what Invisalign offers Manchester patients vs lingual braces. If you’re still in doubt and need further assistance, then come and talk to our orthodontist Manchester today. Book yourself an appointment on 0161 660 1218 and take the first steps towards restoring your perfect smile.

Orthodontics Manchester – How Do Braces Straighten Teeth?

If you’re in need of teeth straightening, Manchester dental practices specialising in orthodontics in Manchester can help. At our smiles dental Manchester office for example, we offer a wide range of treatments designed to help realign teeth. These include fast or accelerated orthodontic treatments such as C-Fast, Secret Smiles, and Six Month Smiles through to lengthier full-term treatments such as ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign aligners. While you don’t have to look far to find information about each individual treatment, it’s more difficult to find information on how braces actually work. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look.

The first thing to note is that despite the many different orthodontic appliances available they all perform the same function and that is to straighten teeth using applied gentle force. Although there are some subtle differences in the way that this is done, generally speaking appliances are either fixed to the teeth or placed over the teeth to force them to move/turn/grow in the right direction. So how is this achieved?

Fixed appliances

Fixed orthodontic treatments are what most people would recognise as traditional braces. These are fixed to the teeth for the duration of the treatment and consist of four elements.

Brackets
Bonding material
Arch wire
Ligature elastic/O Ring

Firstly our smiles dental Manchester team will help you choose the right brace system to suit your needs and/or requirements. Once you’re happy, then small brackets are attached to each tooth using a special type of bonding material. These can either be coloured or silver in the form of conventional braces, or ceramic tooth coloured for discretion. Alternatively, in the case of lingual braces, they can also be attached to the back of the teeth.

Next an arch wire is attached. This runs from bracket to bracket and is used to apply sustained gentle pressure on the teeth which in turn encourages them to move/twist back into the right direction.

Finally a small coloured piece of elastic known as a ligature or O ring holds the arch wire onto each bracket. The elastic ligature can be adjusted to help the arch wire to apply greater pressure in a certain position and is usually carried out by the dentist during a visit if necessary, although with some types of teeth straightening, Manchester appliances utilise O rings that can adjust of their own accord. These are known as self litigating braces. As pressure is adjusted and tweaked accordingly, the teeth respond and will eventually become straighter.

Removable orthodontics Manchester

As opposed to fixed brace treatments, removable orthodontics are designed to be easily removed by that patient during periods of eating, drinking, and cleaning the teeth. It’s suggested that it gives the wearer better dental hygiene because there is zero chance of food particles becoming trapped; but also, it gives the user greater control (within reason) over when they wear them. Treatments such as Invisalign aligners are one such appliance. So how do they work?

Just to complicate matters, Invisalign aligner treatment doesn’t rely on just one appliance for the duration of the treatment. Instead it involves a whole series of appliances/aligners (sometimes as many as 48 over a 2-3 year period). Each aligner is made from clear acrylic and is designed to be worn over the teeth like an invisible gum shield for a short period of time (approximately 2 weeks). As the first aligner is worn, it’s been made to fit snugly over the teeth forcing them to move a fraction of a position (usually around 1/10mm). After two weeks, the teeth should have moved sufficiently so the first aligner is discarded and the next one in the series is worn which moves the teeth a little more. The whole process is repeated again and again every two weeks until eventually, the teeth have reached the desired position.

As you can see, both types or orthodontic appliance have the ability to move teeth using sustained and gentle force, but it can be achieved in different ways. If you’d like to find out more about how orthodontics Manchester can help you achieve a straighter healthier smile then talk to our smile dentist Manchester about teeth straightening Manchester today. Why not book yourself a consultation by calling us on 0161 660 1218 and take the first steps towards having a smile that you can be proud of.

Adult Braces In Manchester – Are They Worth It?

While many people know children who are currently wearing braces to help correct a bite or straighten teeth, not many people know of other adults who are in the same position. That’s because adult braces in Manchester have been developed extensively in recent years, yet are still relatively unknown. With this in mind, if you’re not entirely happy with your teeth, are adult braces Manchester the way forward? Our Smile dentist Manchester explains……

Provided the right type of orthodontic appliance is used, adult brace systems can treat a wide variety of problems. These include, malocclusions, overcrowding, crooked or flared teeth, and cross bites to name a few. That said, not every appliance is able to treat every treatment and appliances can either be classed as fast (in the case of accelerated orthodontics or slow (in the case of full-term treatments). Because of this you’ll need an experienced orthodontist who will decide on a particular type of appliance that will cure your dental problem and fit in with your requirements.

For instance, if you have an annoying gap in your teeth that’s visible when you smile but your remaining teeth and gums are healthy, you might want to try using accelerated braces in Manchester. These are quick-fire treatments that can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Treatments such as C-Fast, Secret Smiles, and Six Month Smiles are considered some of the most popular, although there are many others.

Alternatively if you have relapsed teeth because you didn’t wear a retainer as a child after having conventional orthodontic braces, your dentist might suggest Inman Aligner braces. Manchester patients will be pleased to know that like other fast treatments, they can take a little as a few weeks to correct any problem.

What about if you have larger underlying problems such as a bad bite or crooked back teeth? Your dentist may suggest full term treatments including conventional metal or ceramic braces. For that added discretion patients have an option of lingual braces which are attached to the back of the teeth rather than the front, or Invisalign removable aligners.

Despite the various types, any smile dentist in Manchester will tell you that all orthodontic treatment straightens teeth using the same principle. This is to apply sustained gentle force using either retainers or wiring to move the teeth back into position

For those who really care about how they look, particularly in regard to their smile, adult braces Manchester are definitely worth it. They can ether be used as a quick-fix, aesthetic solution in the form of fast orthodontic treatment, or a long-term holistic solution. Either way, braces in Manchester have the ability to improve lives and boost confidence and that in many respects makes them life changing.

If you’d like to find out more about how our smile dentist Manchester can help you to create that perfect smile using the power of orthodontics, contact us on 0161 660 1218 and book yourself a no-obligation consultation today.

Clear Braces UK – How They Straighten Teeth

You only have to look at pictures of teeth braces before and after to know that they work. However despite the fact that orthodontic treatments are known to improve teeth, many adults are put off from wearing them. It seems that the thought of seeing drastic improvements in a smile from braces before and after isn’t enough for some to seek the treatment they need. Why? Because people still visualise having to put up with a mouthful of metal for months, even years on end. However with clear braces, UK this perception couldn’t be further from the truth. So what are clear braces and how do they straighten teeth?

As the name suggests clear braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that are designed to be discreet. Made from a clear plastic acrylic, they’re a million miles away from the bracket and wiring style treatments that we all know. In fact when a patient wears them, in most cases, others won’t know about it unless the person tells them. It’s true! Clear braces UK do away with traditional bracket and wiring systems to move teeth in favour of clear removable plastic aligners. In fact, because there are no signs of tell tale wires or brackets,wearers can speak and smile with confidence.

While most people are aware of how conventional braces straighten teeth, they probably aren’t so sure how clear braces straighten teeth. Let’s take a closer look…

The first difference is that instead of utilising one appliance for the duration of the treatment, clear aligners utilise a whole series of appliances (sometimes as many as 48 over a 2-3 year period) to achieve that perfect braces before and after look.

The second difference is that rather than utilise tensioning wires to move teeth back into position the movement is carried out by natural force. Each aligner is designed to be worn over the teeth like a gum shield. As it does so the aligner gently forces the teeth to fill the position inside the aligner space. Once this position is filled (usually every two weeks) that aligner has done it’s job and is discarded in favour of the next aligner in the series. When the next one is worn it forces the teeth to take up the next position. Movement is usually very slight (often only 1/10mm per aligner) but over a period of time, the teeth return to their naturally straighter position, giving the patient that all important teeth braces before and after look.

If you’d like to find out more about clear braces UK and how they can help to discreetly restore a confident looking smile, then contact Church Road Dental on 0161 660 1218 today.

6 Month Smiles Manchester – What Exactly Does It Entail?

So you’ve read the odd lingual braces blog, or sought advice on Invisalign aligners and now feel that you need an orthodontic treatment that’s reasonably priced and delivers quicker results – something like 6 month smiles. Manchester practices will know that as a fast or accelerated orthodontics Manchester treatment it’s particularly popular; so what exactly is it and how does it work?

As the name suggests Six Month Smiles is a type of orthodontic brace that’s designed to straighten teeth within 6 months or less. It works on the same bracket and wire principle that many other brace systems have, but instead of taking 12-18 months to achieve results, short term orthodontics such as these take considerably less time. They’re discreet, comfortable to wear, and competitively priced.

As with all accelerated or fast brace treatments however, there is a trade-off. If you wear full-term orthodontic devices such as conventional braces, lingual braces, and clear aligners such as Invisalign, then over a period of time, they’ll straighten ALL teeth no matter where they’re positioned in the mouth. On the contrary with 6 month smiles, Manchester patients will need to understand that braces such as these can only straighten the front upper and lower teeth which are visible when you smile. What’s more, orthodontics Manchester treatment involving short term systems can’t correct underlying problems such as tooth root alignment either. As a result they won’t suit everyone.

**So who are 6 month smiles in Manchester good for?**

They’re ideal for those adults whose teeth are in relatively good condition and whose bite function is normal. Six Month Smiles are perfect for those looking for a quick aesthetic solution to their crooked teeth and who aren’t concerned about correcting any underlying issues. This is either because they don’t have any, or they need a quick-fix solution. Candidates may be people who have an event looming and they need/want to look their best. This could be a family gathering such as a wedding or engagement, a job interview, an upcoming vacation, or even a date. In this respect accelerated braces treatments are perfect because they offer the fast solution that the patient craves.

So who are they not for?

Patients with underlying bite problems won’t benefit from 6 month smiles Manchester treatment. Nor will those looking for complete restorations, including tooth root alignment, or those with posterior molar problems. These patients are better suited to full term orthodontics such as those you may have heard about when reading a lingual braces blog.

The bottom line is that there is an orthodontics Manchester treatment available for every condition. It’s your dentist’s job to match the right treatment to the person and their requirements/needs. Whether that’s 6 Month Smiles, Manchester, Invisalign, or lingual braces, we can help. Call us on 0161 660 1218 to book a consultation today.

Teeth Straightening Manchester – What Are The Methods Used?

If you’re seeking teeth straightening in Manchester it pays to speak to an orthodontic Manchester practice. At our smiles dental Manchester clinic we know how to match the right treatment with your needs and/or requirements. With this in mind,what are the types of treatment used?

Fast orthodontics

Otherwise known as accelerated or short-term orthodontics, fast orthodontic treatments are designed to focus their attention on the upper and lower front teeth which are visible when you smile. Treatment times range from a few weeks through to six months and are perfect for those looking for an aesthetic, quick fix solution. Brands such as Six Month Smiles, C-Fast, Secret Smiles and the removable Inman Aligner are perfect examples of quick orthodontic Manchester treatments.

Removable Aligners

While the majority of brace systems are permanently attached to the teeth for the duration of the treatment, there are a few which are specifically designed to be removed by the patient on a daily basis. Orthodontic appliances such as the Inman Aligner and Invisalign allow the patient to remove them for specific tasks such as eating, drinking, and brushing the teeth. This is done to maintain better oral hygiene, but it also means that the patient has the freedom to choose when and where they wear them. Removable aligners can ether be short term treatments (in the case of the Inman Aligner) or full term treatments (in the case of Invisalign).

Full term brace systems

When it comes to teeth straightening, Manchester patients may be looking for a longer term treatment to fully restore both the function and aesthetics of their bite. With this in mind, it’s possible to choose from a wide range of what are known as ‘full-term’ treatments. These include traditional metal ‘bracket and wiring’ style braces, discreet ceramic-style braces, lingual braces which are worn at the back of the teeth, and (as mentioned above) removable Invisalign aligners. Treatments last on average 18 months but can be completed in as little as 12 months or as long as 36 months, depending upon the degree of the problem.

If it sounds a little confusing, then don’t worry. At our Smiles Dental Manchester practice patients are in safe and experienced hands. We’ll help you find the right orthodontic appliance to suit both your needs and requirements. Whether you simply want to straighten your teeth after failing to wear a previous retainer or are looking for a quick fix solution to correct a crooked tooth, you can count on us. To enquire about teeth straightening Manchester or to book a consultation with our orthodontic Manchester team, then contact Church Road Dental and Cosmetics on 0161 660 1218 today and take the first steps towards great looking teeth.

Inman Aligner Braces And Lingual Braces – Why They Differ

While conventional orthodontic procedures are essentially metal appliances that are worn over the teeth, lingual braces and fast orthodontic treatment such as Inman Aligner braces are different; but why? Let’s take a closer look.

Pushing, pulling, or both?

Traditional modern braces may appear more discreet than metal ‘train-track style’ braces of old with ceramic brackets and tooth coloured wiring but despite this, it’s likely that someone will still be able to tell that you’re wearing an orthodontic appliance. This is because there’s no getting away from

that distinctive (although tooth-coloured) wiring that spans the length of your teeth. However when you opt for lingual braces, all the action cleverly takes place behind the smile. (Lingual means tongue in Latin). In this case, small brackets are skilfully secured to the rear of the teeth and the wiring is the threaded through the brackets, so everything is controlled from the rear. What this means for the wearer is that nobody has to know they’re wearing them because there is no ‘tell tale’ sign when smiling or speaking. They work in the same way as conventional braces in that they move teeth by applying gentle force. However, rather than applying force which gradually pushes the teeth back into position, lingual braces can effectively pull the teeth from behind.

Conversely Inman aligner braces utilise a different technique. Instead of either pushing or pulling teeth back into position, the Inman aligner uses two spring loaded titanium bows which work together using force and motion to simultaneously push and pull the front teeth back into position. The result is a greater possible array of movement in a quicker time. In fact, if a person was looking for a speedy way to straighten their front upper and/or lower teeth, then fast orthodontic treatment doesn’t really get any quicker, with treatment taking on average 8-12 weeks to complete.

Quick, quick, slow

Despite their differing advantages over conventional braces both lingual braces and the Inman Aligner have their disadvantages. Like many traditional style brace systems, the lingual system is what’s known as a full-term appliance. What this means is that it can correct a wide range of orthodontic problems, including bite issues and realignment of the tooth root, over a long period of time (usually somewhere between 1 and 2 years). However because the appliance is attached to the back of the teeth, it often takes a lot more ‘getting used to’ when it comes to speaking – particularly the correct annunciation of certain words and vowels.

Alternatively, while the the Inman aligner is arguably easier to get to grips with, because of the way it’s created, it’s designed specifically to fix certain teeth only. Namely the upper and lower front six teeth. Therefore for those with crowded or problem teeth situated at the rear of the mouth, the Inman aligner isn’t really an option.

That said, both the Inman Aligner braces or lingual braces work to great effect in their specific areas of expertise. So if you’re not happy with your smile and are considering full-term or fast orthodontic treatment, then come and talk to our professional team who can advise. Why not book a consultation by calling 0161 660 1218. Here you can get all your questions and concerns answered and gain all the necessary knowledge you need to make a fully informed dental decision.

Inman Aligner UK vs Invisalign Braces – The changing Face Of Braces

It wasn’t so many years ago that teeth straightening treatments meant one thing…. having to wear those clunky looking ‘train-track’ style metal braces that glinted in the light every time you smiled. Nowadays, however, technology has moved on and orthodontic treatments such as the Inman Aligner UK and Invisalign braces UK are as far removed from traditional ‘bracket and wiring’ style braces as you can get. In this post our orthodontist Manchester explores the changing face of ‘aligner style’ braces.

Fixed vs removable braces

Traditional bracket and wiring style brace systems are fixed permanently into the mouth for the duration of the treatment. The brackets are glued into position onto the teeth and then the tensioning wire is painstakingly threaded through. In most cases the only time this style of orthodontic treatment is removed is when the braces have done their job and the teeth are back into the correct position. Ultimately this means that the patient needs to wear them 24/7, often for a considerable amount of time.

Aligner style braces however are different. Why? Because they’re designed to be easily removable. What’s more they’re designed to be removed by the patient on a daily basis. Because of this, removable brace treatments such as the Inman aligner and Invisalign treatments give the patient full control over their treatment. Both these styles of braces are designed to be removed when eating and drinking. This avoids the hassle of getting food particles lodged in between the brackets and as such, it makes oral hygiene easier. Ultimately although they are supposed to be worn for a minimum of 18 hours in the case of the Inman aligner UK and 20 hours for the Invisalign aligner, patients can choose when and where they’d like to wear them.

No more wiring

All braces work by applying gentle and sustained force to the teeth in order to push or pull them back into position. Traditionally this is done using tensioning wires that are positioned across the teeth. Ultimately this means that they’re likely to be more visible. While this mightn’t be a problem for some adults, others may feel put off from wearing them. On the contrary with aligner style braces the way that they move teeth is different. The Inman aligner for example utilises two spring loaded bows to gently manoeuvre teeth back into position while Invisalign braces UK uses a series of custom made aligners known as trays. Each aligner is designed to fit snugly over the teeth like a clear plastic gum shield and will move the teeth just 1/10mm. After two weeks that aligner is discarded and changed for the next one in the series. This will be a slightly different size and wouldn’t be able to fit unless the teeth had previously moved sufficiently. Trays are changed every two weeks for the duration of the treatment until eventually, the patient has perfectly straight teeth.

As you can see, the Inman Aligner UK and Invisalign Braces UK could be seen as the way forward for modern-day orthodontic treatment. As such those people who may never have considered adult braces before, might now think differently. They’re discreet, and in the case of the Inman aligner, can straighten teeth fast. To find out more about adult braces come and talk to our orthodontist Manchester for advice. Call us on 0161 660 1218 to book a no-obligation consultation today and take the first steps towards restoring your smile.

Clear Braces UK – What Exactly Are They And Why Wear Them?

While it’s true that Inman Aligner cost is considerably cheaper than clear braces UK, the fact is that clear brace treatments such as Invisalign offer a holistic long-term approach to teeth straightening. Just like lingual braces, before and after pictures often show amazing transformations; but what exactly are clear braces and why wear them? Let’s take a closer look.

As the name suggests clear orthodontic braces are exactly that. Unlike other forms of orthodontic appliance such as lingual braces, which are worn behind the teeth and are designed to be discreet, clear braces such as Invisalign are virtually invisible. This means that for many adults they can wear braces without revealing a mouth full of metal every time they smile. This is often the stumbling block that prevents many patients from wearing orthodontic appliances.

Invisalign braces are made using a clear top quality medical grade polyurethane resin and are worn over the teeth just like a gum shield. They don’t utilise brackets and tensioning wire in order to straighten teeth, instead they rely on the individual design of each aligner. Because there are no tell- tale brackets and wiring, it makes them far easier to be discreet. The result is that people won’t even know that you’re wearing them.

They’re removable

Although discretion is a big part of why patients opt for Invisalign clear braces UK, there are other reasons too. Perhaps the biggest reason is that they are designed to be removable. Even in the case of discreet forms of orthodontic treatment such as lingual braces, before and after treatment will entail a fixed form of braces which are worn for the entire duration of the treatment. On the contrary, the Invisalign system involves a whole series of aligners (sometimes as many as 48) which are designed to be changed by the patient every two weeks.

The idea is that each aligner moves the teeth a small fraction and then it’s discarded and changed for the subsequent one in the series. Ultimately because they are removable, the patient is in full control, and therefore it’s argued that clear braces such as Invisalign can fit better into a patient’s lifestyle. While the Inman Aligner cost is cheaper and also fully removable, it’s certainly not as discreet and it can’t treat back teeth, or align tooth roots like the Invisalign Aligner can. In this regard you could say that Invisalign is the orthodontic treatment for the modern age.

If you’d like to talk to us about fixed or removable forms of discreet orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign Clear braces UK, or lingual braces, before and after treatments will be explained during a no-obligation consultation. Why not book yours today and take the first steps towards restoring that perfect smile. To find out more contact us on 0161 660 1218 today.