Straight teeth without metal braces: a guide

Orthodontic treatment once meant one thing: metal braces. However, things have changed, and Felmores Dental Care in Basildon offers a number of methods of straightening your teeth without a glint of metal in sight.

It must always be remembered that the benefits of teeth straightening treatment are more than just aesthetic. Even when an appliance is referred to as a “cosmetic” brace, there are health gains to be made, too.

It’s quite simple, when you think about it. Straighter teeth are easier to keep clean. When there are fewer awkward gaps or hard-to-reach areas where particles of food can get trapped and plaque can build up, your chances of both gum disease and tooth decay will be significantly reduced (so long as you visit your dentist and hygienist regularly, of course).

Gum disease and tooth decay can both lead to tooth loss, so any steps that can be taken to avoid them should be embraced.

Braces and aligners

At our Basildon dental practice we offer both discreet braces and clear aligners to improve the position of your teeth. Your dentist will establish which appliance will work best for your particular circumstances when you join us for a teeth straightening consultation.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles are popular cosmetic braces that – as you’ve probably guessed from the name – work in an average time of half a year. They do this because they focus on the “social six” front teeth – those that show when you smile. Six Month Smiles comprise clear ceramic braces and tooth-coloured wires and also use lower forces than standard orthodontic appliances, making them quicker, subtler, and more comfortable. What’s not to like?

Inman Aligner

This single-use clear aligner works rapidly to correct issues such as protrusion or crowding with the front teeth. Often it takes just a few short weeks for treatment to be complete, and the device then acts as a retainer.

FastBraces

FastBraces can be used where more extensive correction is needed. They have a unique design which means they move the roots and crowns of the teeth together, whereas standard braces do this in two stages.