Teeth Straightening
Discussion
Hi, for a while now i've considered getting my teeth done, while they're in good condition a couple of them are slightly crooked.Has there been much advancement in technology since the days of braces? As i'm 28 I think i'd feel a bit self-conscious wearing them, is that the price i'd have to pay?
Cheers
Cheers
Get at least two separate consultations about this before you take the plunge ensuring that one is with a specialist orthodontist. Outfits that provide 'Invisalign' treatments sometimes only cater for particular conditions.
Yours sounds like a relatively straightforward case but there can be many variables involved which need to be explained and understood before you pay for what is often, expensive treatment.
As mentioned, 'Invisible Braces' are available but these are not necessarily the best option and are significantly more expensive.
Although much can be achieved with adult orthodontics, there are limitations and it makes sense to know this before you embark on a potentially large investment of time and money.
Yours sounds like a relatively straightforward case but there can be many variables involved which need to be explained and understood before you pay for what is often, expensive treatment.
As mentioned, 'Invisible Braces' are available but these are not necessarily the best option and are significantly more expensive.
Although much can be achieved with adult orthodontics, there are limitations and it makes sense to know this before you embark on a potentially large investment of time and money.
Braces have come a long way, but depending on how much work you need, will massively affect how much it costs.
From my own experience:
If your misalignment is relatively simple, then you might get away with using Invisalign trays or similar. Benefits are they're less obvious than regular braces (however you/others will still probably notice them). Also, hygiene is much easier as you can take them out and clean/floss properly.
Downsides are having to take them out to eat, and if your teeth don't respond as expected, then it's more difficult to "make" them work well as the trays are effectively pre-formed.
Lingual braces are brackets placed on the inside of your teeth, so effectively the same as old style braces. Benefits are that they really are invisible unless you frequently yawn at people. Also, it allows an orthodontist full control over what they want to do to move teeth into place.
Downsides are that your speech is difficult for a few weeks, whilst your tongue gets used to the roughness. Also, more frequent trips to the hygenist are needed as it's harder to keep them clean. Oh, and cost!
I had lingual braces for 3.5 years, and after about 6 months, I really didn't notice them and was constantly telling people how great they were!!
The main advice however is to do your research, and see at least 3-4 orthodontists to get their advice and options on how to treat your case. I had several differing opinions on what was needed, and be sure to choose somewhere that's honest with you in what their option will achieve.
Remember you'll need to visit them once every few weeks, so think about location/travel costs, are the open on weekends/emergencies etcc.
An arch is just that, top arch and bottom arch. The arch refers to the shape when looking from above or below.
From my own experience:
If your misalignment is relatively simple, then you might get away with using Invisalign trays or similar. Benefits are they're less obvious than regular braces (however you/others will still probably notice them). Also, hygiene is much easier as you can take them out and clean/floss properly.
Downsides are having to take them out to eat, and if your teeth don't respond as expected, then it's more difficult to "make" them work well as the trays are effectively pre-formed.
Lingual braces are brackets placed on the inside of your teeth, so effectively the same as old style braces. Benefits are that they really are invisible unless you frequently yawn at people. Also, it allows an orthodontist full control over what they want to do to move teeth into place.
Downsides are that your speech is difficult for a few weeks, whilst your tongue gets used to the roughness. Also, more frequent trips to the hygenist are needed as it's harder to keep them clean. Oh, and cost!
I had lingual braces for 3.5 years, and after about 6 months, I really didn't notice them and was constantly telling people how great they were!!
The main advice however is to do your research, and see at least 3-4 orthodontists to get their advice and options on how to treat your case. I had several differing opinions on what was needed, and be sure to choose somewhere that's honest with you in what their option will achieve.
Remember you'll need to visit them once every few weeks, so think about location/travel costs, are the open on weekends/emergencies etcc.
An arch is just that, top arch and bottom arch. The arch refers to the shape when looking from above or below.
Edited by MrChips on Sunday 22 April 19:11
Rach* said:
I would say that retainers - preferably fitted - are essential, IMO the majority of the patients I help treat now are relapsed cases, mostly my age 30-ish!
That is anecdotal
This!That is anecdotal
What they didn't used to tell you circa, 16-17 years ago was that your teeth will keep moving when the braces come off and unless you wear retainers, almost indefinitely, then all that money will be wasted as the teeth creep back. But given that most children/teenagers are forced into wearing braces and are so excited to get them off to see their new teeth, it's very hard to get them to wear the retainers when everything looks perfect.
Be careful with Invisalign that they don't file your teeth towards the end of treatment. Mental.
MrChips said:
From my own experience:
If your misalignment is relatively simple, then you might get away with using Invisalign trays or similar.
My teeth were quite complicated (buck teeth and twisted bottom teeth, all from sucking my thumb too much when I was younger) and Invisalign has sorted them out nicely. It's been a LONG process though - I've had to wear them for over a year and I'm on my second set of adjustment braces. Should be all done in a couple of months time! I got whitening thrown in for free by my dentist too. If your misalignment is relatively simple, then you might get away with using Invisalign trays or similar.
I had mine done probably 5 years ago now. Really, well worth it. I had braces on the outside of my teeth however the blocks and wires are white so they really aren't that noticeable. Unless you've had curry, in which case they can be a bit luminous!
Mine were fairly bad at the front, I had two teeth taken out and the rest aligned. It's a pain having to use a retainer afterwards but after a few months it becomes a twice-a-week thing really.
My teeth are not quite as perfect as they were when the treatment finished, however the orthodontist says that they will "settle" in a certain way. My first retainer lasted 5 years, now on my second one. Only need to wear it a couple of nights a week now to keep them as they should be.
Best £1500 I ever spent.
Mine were fairly bad at the front, I had two teeth taken out and the rest aligned. It's a pain having to use a retainer afterwards but after a few months it becomes a twice-a-week thing really.
My teeth are not quite as perfect as they were when the treatment finished, however the orthodontist says that they will "settle" in a certain way. My first retainer lasted 5 years, now on my second one. Only need to wear it a couple of nights a week now to keep them as they should be.
Best £1500 I ever spent.
carreauchompeur said:
My teeth are not quite as perfect as they were when the treatment finished, however the orthodontist says that they will "settle" in a certain way. My first retainer lasted 5 years, now on my second one. Only need to wear it a couple of nights a week now to keep them as they should be.
Re the retainer - can I ask how much (roughly) a replacement retainer costs? And is it worth having a "spare" retainer for when/if your current one breaks? Or just have another one made when the old one breaks?Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff