Have you ever wanted to invest in dental treatment to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile? Maybe you have wanted braces from an early age but you are now unsure of which braces are available for you. If these scenarios relate to you, you may want to consider visiting our practice, Winchester Orthodontics, where an orthodontist in Hampshire on our team will be able to advise on whether you require orthodontic treatment.
What are braces?
Braces are dental appliances which aim to correct teeth which are either overcrowded, crooked, have a misplaced midline or which have an uneven bite, to name but a few scenarios. Braces can be used by both adult and child patients to help correct these problems, however it is most common for patients to be recommended braces between the ages of 12 and 16.
For adult patients, there are different types of orthodontic treatments available at Winchester Orthodontics, where our orthodontist in Hampshire will be able to provide you with options and recommend the best treatment for your dental problems.
Traditional metal braces
The most common type of braces, traditional metal braces, are made up of a metal wire and brackets which are then fixed to a patient’s teeth. This appliance once fixed then shifts teeth into their desired position. Traditional metal braces are known to straighten teeth quicker when compared to other orthodontic treatments, as these braces are fixed to your teeth and are tightened at your dental check-ups. Compared to other orthodontic treatments they are also a cheaper option for our patients. Some of our patients also opt to add colourful elastic bands to the braces and these also can be changed at every appointment.
The alternatives to traditional metal braces
You may be considering braces but are worried about the idea that other people will be able to see that you are having dental treatment. If this applies to you, investing in traditional metal braces may not be the best option for you. Luckily at Winchester Orthodontics, we have a range of alternative orthodontic treatment available for our patients to choose from.
You may want to consider lingual braces, an orthodontic treatment which is particularly well suited to adults. Lingual braces are similar to the traditional metal braces in that they are also made up of metal brackets and a metal wire however, they are fixed on the inside of your teeth so no one will have any idea that you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Unlike the traditional metal braces, the brackets for lingual braces are also customised to a patient’s teeth as the inner surfaces of an individual's teeth vary in comparison to the front teeth of a patient, which are fairly similar for a majority of our patients.
An advantage of lingual braces is along with them being virtually invisible, they are also fixed which means the treatment can be quicker when compared to other orthodontic treatments and also there is no risk of any visible damage to the tooth surface as they are fixed to the back of a patient’s teeth.