Not everyone has perfectly aligned teeth and this is why more and more children and adults are seeking treatments for teeth straightening. Manchester patients for example are becoming far more aware of the importance of straighter teeth and a visit to our smile dentist Manchester will give you all the information you need to know in order to make an informed dental decision. However just to give you a head start, if you’re having problems with your teeth, your dentist may recommend any one of 4 available orthodontics Manchester treatments. These are as follows…
Conventional braces
Normally made of stainless steel, conventional braces are the cheapest kind of orthodontic treatment. These are also the only type of braces available on the NHS. A series of brackets hold self-tensioning wires in place which run across the front side of the teeth. As they contract, gentle pressure is applied to the teeth which in turn moves them into position.
The downside is that they are highly visible, so they’re not ideal for those looking for something more discreet. In addition, they can also make it difficult to brush and floss around your teeth, so dentists generally recommend that sticky foods should be avoided.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are only available through private dentists and feature brackets which are tooth coloured and wiring which is either white metal or clear plastic. They’re far more discreet so make an ideal choice for patients looking for less obvious forms of orthodontics. Manchester dentists do however, state that the tension wiring or plastic that helps to straighten the teeth can be prone to staining. Because of this, the wiring should be replaced every month or so when the brackets are tightened.
The negatives are that ceramic braces are considerably more expensive than conventional braces and being ceramic, they can be prone to chipping or breaking, so greater care is needed when wearing them. That said a visit to a smile dentist in Manchester will give you all the details you need to make an informed choice.
Lingual braces
Unlike conventional braces or ceramic braces which are worn over the front of the teeth, lingual braces are secured behind the teeth. This requires a complicated process of fitting which only specialised orthodontists can perform. Because the brackets are noticeably smaller and fit behind the teeth, those seeking teeth straightening Manchester using lingual braces need to have relatively large teeth. As a result they aren’t suitable for everyone and they certainly don’t come cheap. In addition because they impact the tongue when speaking, they can take some getting used to. That said, lingual braces are incredibly discreet and can treat a wide variety of problems. As a result they’re a great choice for those people who have customer facing roles or for those who are in the public eye.
Invisible braces
When it comes to orthodontics in Manchester, invisible braces are by far the most expensive type of braces that you can buy. However don’t let the price be the deciding factor because what they lack in value for money, they more than make up for in so many other ways.
Firstly invisible braces such as Invisalign aren’t really braces in the conventional sense of the word. In fact they don’t contain any brackets or wiring at all. Secondly, where all other brace types are fixed in place for the duration of your treatment, this type of ‘aligner-style’ brace system is designed to be easily and fully removable. Finally instead of having one brace for the duration of a treatment, patients have a whole series of them which are changed every two weeks.
So how does it work?
Each aligner or tray is made from a clear acrylic and is designed to fit snugly over the teeth, kind of like a gum shield. During this time the teeth are gently forced into a pre-determined position before the next one can be worn. This process is repeated until all of the aligners have been worn and the patient has reached the end of their treatment and achieved perfectly straight teeth.
Unlike other teeth straightening Manchester techniques, invisible braces such as Invisalign are designed to be removed every time the wearer eats or cleans their teeth. This helps protect the teeth from any tartar build-up.
The only negative aside from the price is that you need to be disciplined enough to keep them in for 20 hours plus a day and also, because the trays are virtually invisible, just like a contact lens they can easily be misplaced.
So there you have it, the 4 different types of orthodontic treatments explained. If you’re seeking orthodontics Manchester treatment because you’re in need of teeth straightening Manchester, come and visit our smile dentist Manchester for a consultation. To book yours contact us on 0161 660 1218 today and start the ball rolling towards a straighter smile and healthier teeth.
