There are a wide variety of orthodontic treatments available on the market and as such, it can get a little confusing. Systems range from lingual braces, Manchester Invisalign, and accelerated treatments such as C-Fast, through to conventional metallic style braces and removable braces such as the Inman Aligner. Manchester patients therefore can feel overwhelmed with the amount of choice available. In order to bring clarity to the type of orthodontic braces that are suitable for you, here’s what you need to know.
Fixed vs removable
Brace systems come in fixed or removable varieties. However just to confuse you more there isn’t really one specific type that is suitable for a specific type of treatment. Instead braces may be selected based on the needs, requirements, and/or budget of the patient.
Systems such as lingual braces Manchester for example are a longer-term bracket and wiring style brace that’s worn on the inside of the teeth, so they’re completely invisible to others when you smile, eat, or speak. Conversely braces such as Manchester Invisalign are fully removable and are designed to be taken out by the wearer during meal times and when brushing their teeth. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages although they both do the same job of straightening teeth using gentle applied force.
Brackets vs aligners
In days of old, there really was only one type of brace system and that was the metallic ‘train track’ style variety that gave onlookers more than a glint of metal every time the wearer smiled. Effective? Yes, but discreet? Absolutely not!
Nowadays discretion plays a big part in children’s and indeed adult orthodontics. As such, many bracket and wiring style brace systems are made using tooth coloured wiring and white brackets to give a more discreet appearance. Despite this, they can still be seen by others if they’re close enough. On the contrary aligner style brace systems such as Invisalign and the Inman Aligner Manchester are different. While it’s true that the Inman aligner has a very thin metal bar that runs across the front of the teeth, neither use a bracket and wire system to straighten them and are therefore arguably more discreet. However the Invisalign system takes it one step further and does away with springs and bows altogether in favour of a series of simple clear plastic devices known as trays, which are worn over the teeth rather like a gum shield. The result is an orthodontic treatment that can not only be removed, but because it’s made of thin clear plastic and there are zero brackets and wires, is incredibly discreet.
Short-term vs longer-term
Many adults these days choose to wear braces because they’re unhappy with the way that their smile looks. They maybe aren’t interested in treating the whole smile, but instead want to focus their attentions on the top and bottom 6 teeth which are visible when they smile. For this reason there are fast or accelerated orthodontic treatments. Systems such as C-Fast, Six Month Smiles, and Secret Smiles can correct crooked, twisted, or even slightly gapped teeth in as little as a few weeks. Because of this, they’re ideal for those who have an upcoming event such as a wedding, a job interview, or even a date, and would like to look and feel their best.
On the contrary longer term treatments such as lingual braces Manchester and Manchester Invisalign can take anywhere between 6 and 24 months to complete. However unlike accelerated treatments, as well as correcting the placement of the visible front and bottom teeth, they can also correct underlying problems such as tooth root alignment as well as bite placement, so you get a better overall treatment.
So there you have it! Hopefully this has brought a little clarity to the world of orthodontic treatments. If you’d like to find out more about the Inman Aligner, Manchester Invisalign or lingual braces, Manchester residents might want to speak to Shi Karim and the team at Church Road Dental and Cosmetics. To make an appointment you can either visit our website at www.clearbracesmanchester.co.uk or contact us directly on 0161 660 1218. Remember you shouldn’t have to put up with a less than perfect smile, so take action today.
