If you’ve ever visited a smile dentist Manchester for orthodontic treatment in the past you’ll know that there are a multitude of orthodontic treatments that can help to straighten teeth, improve bite, and restore your smile. From discreet fixed brace systems such as lingual braces and 6 Month Smiles Manchester, through to removable aligner style brace systems such as Invisalign and the Inman aligner, Manchester patients can rest assured that there’s a treatment to suit both needs, requirements, and/or budget.
With this in mind, let’s take two of the most popular treatments (6 Month Smiles and the Inman aligner) and make a comparison to see which is better.
Firstly it’s worth pointing out that both the Inman aligner and 6 Month Smiles are what are known as fast or accelerated orthodontic treatments. That means that unlike other brace systems dental aesthetics can be restored in as little as 2- 6 months. But how do they directly compare?
Fixed vs removable
Unlike the Inman Aligner, the 6 Month Smiles treatment is a fixed brace system. This means that once in place it’s worn for the duration. This can make brushing and flossing more difficult as tiny food particles can become lodged in between the brackets and wiring making them difficult to shift. Conversely the Inman aligner is designed to be easily removed especially when eating, drinking, and brushing the teeth, therefore making it easier to maintain good oral health.
Discretion
Many adults don’t like the thought of having to wear orthodontic braces especially if they’re visible when they talk, eat, or smile. So how do the Inman Aligner and the 6 Month Smiles Manchester treatments stack up? The 6 Month Smiles braces are fashioned from tooth coloured brackets and wiring, which are relatively difficult to spot unless you’re close up to someone who’s wearing them. The Inman Aligner on the other hand consists of a thin bow or wire that sits right across the front of your teeth. While it’s not like wearing conventional metallic braces, it’s arguably not as discreet as the 6 Month Smiles system.
What about treatments?
Because of the way that an Inman aligner Manchester is constructed, it’s perfect for tackling mild over-crowding in the front upper and lower jaw as well as for correcting teeth alignment and teeth protrusion. Conversely the 6 Month Smiles system does all of the above, but because it has a wider range of movement, it can also successfully close tooth gaps or excess spacing.
Braces vs aligner speed
When it comes to treatment speed your smile dentist in Manchester will tell you that this depends heavily on the severity of each case. 6 Month Smiles treatment (as the name suggests) takes on average six months to complete. However final results can be seen in as little as four months or as many as nine months. The Inman Aligner on the other hand uses a push/pull system to gently move the teeth into position taking lesser time (usually between six weeks to four months till treatment completion). So when it comes to treatment speed the Inman Aligner has the edge.
So which is better?
As you can see, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of both and choice depends on a number of factors including:
- The type of dental problems you have
- The speed in which you want treatment completed.
- The visibility factor and
- Whether you want your braces to be fixed or removable.
This being the case, it’s advisable to speak to your smile dentist Manchester who can help you find the right orthodontic treatment for you.
If you have overcrowded, crooked, uneven, or protruding teeth and would like to find out more about how 6 Month Smiles Manchester or an Inman Aligner Manchester can help you restore your smile, come and speak to Church Road Dental and Cosmetics. To book an appointment either visit our website at www.clearbracesmanchester.co.uk or contact us directly on 0161 660 1218 today. On behalf of Shi Karim and the team, we look forward to welcoming you.
