A person’s smile can make or break how confident they feel about their appearance. This can affect all areas of their life including socialising, climbing the career ladder and even finding love. Here at Winchester Orthodontics, with our orthodontist Hampshire, we offer a whole host of options that can give our patients the smile they have always wanted. With this article, we explore some of the most popular choices for straightening misaligned teeth.
Traditional metal braces
These braces are the ones most commonly associated with having orthodontic treatment. They take the form of metal wires that are placed across the front of the teeth, and which are held in place using brackets. Traditional braces are very efficient and can be used to fix most alignment issues. Our patients have them fitted at the initial appointment by our orthodontist Hampshire and then have regular visits to have them adjusted. Each adjustment helps the teeth to move a little further towards the ideal position. Many people choose this option because it offers such great results.
Lingual braces
These are also sometimes known as Incognito braces (after a brand name). The reason for this is that they are hidden from view. They are very similar to traditional braces in that they are composed of metal arches and brackets. They differ because instead of being placed on the front of the teeth, they are positioned behind them. This means that they are virtually undetectable by others. Lingual braces are an excellent choice for our patients who want the results that would be expected with traditional ones, without having to let the whole world know that they are having orthodontic treatment.
Transparent braces
Invisalign is one of the most popular and well-known options for transparent braces. Many people mistakenly think that the brand name is spelt Invisalign, so it is worth bearing this in mind if doing any research on the treatment! Invisalign is made up of completely transparent trays of very soft plastic. These trays are also known as aligners.
The aligners are custom made for each individual patient, which allows our orthodontist Hampshire to adopt a tailored approach that addresses their specific needs. They are worn over the teeth and changed every few weeks to a slightly different size. These changes gradually help to move the teeth into the best possible position.
Clear braces are a great option for the patient who feels self-conscious about the idea of having this kind of treatment, as no one else needs to know that it is happening. They also have the advantage of generally being a faster option than other kinds of braces. Rather than a few years, the treatment is usually completed within a matter of months.
The best option for orthodontic treatment is very much dependent on the individual patient. Every case is different, which is why we encourage all our patients to make an appointment with us to discuss options. While Invisalign might be ideal for one person, another might get better results with traditional or Incognito braces. All the options available have a range of benefits, and we explore every aspect of treatment before the patient decides to go ahead. There is no question that we are not happy to answer!