We live in a world governed by our looks: appearance matters and having a beautiful smile is a highly sought-after quality.
Sadly, if you are not born with straight teeth, no amount of brushing can fix a crooked set of pearly whites. Now, thanks to modern orthodontics, you can properly align your teeth to their desired position.
Book a consultation with our orthodontist at Winchester Orthodontics in Hampshire and we can see what we can do for you.
Reasons you might consider having orthodontic work done
You might want braces mainly for cosmetic reasons, but realigning the position of your teeth will also improve your overall oral health, as well as your quality of life.
Fix malocclusions
To chew, eat and speak with ease, your upper and lower teeth need to line up correctly. A protruding overbite or underbite makes these daily tasks more complicated than they should be.
Cleaning your teeth made easier and preventing plaque build up
At the same time, a narrow mouth overcrowded with teeth makes it challenging to adhere to effective brushing, as harmful bacteria hide and multiply in those hard to reach places.
Mind the gap
Diastema are the wide spaces between your teeth, usually your two front teeth. While a person can live with a gap of this kind without health complications, for some, it is a glaring flaw that makes them feel self-conscious and damages their confidence.
How metal braces work
Your teeth are gradually pulled into place by a combination of wires, metal brackets and rubber elastics for one to two years. We first glue the brackets to the enamel of your teeth using a special adhesive, then we loop a long piece of thin archwire connecting the brackets, which are all held in place with elastic.
See us every six to eight weeks so we can tighten your braces and check your wires.
Are there other options worth considering?
While useful for straightening teeth, people complain about how braces look. The design of conventional straightening aids have improved tenfold since their first introduction, but other devices are smaller, more discreet and comfortable to wear.
Invisalign
Invisalign or ‘invisaline’ as people sometimes incorrectly spell it on their Google searches is a groundbreaking treatment that more people are choosing over conventional straightening methods. Why? Invisalign models are invisible braces that are entirely metal-free.
With these transparent braces, you will receive multiple sets of aligner trays that look a bit like mouthguards which you must have replaced bi-monthly by your orthodontist in Hampshire. Each series of aligners are differently shaped, and their function is to move your teeth, millimetre by millimetre, into position.
Pros
Discreet
You will not need to adapt your lifestyle with regards to brushing your teeth and eating
Comfortable - no wiring means you will not have to worry about mouth sores and cuts
Cons
Removable hardware - requires discipline to wear them for most of the time - easier to lose
Only suitable for mild to moderate issues
Clear Braces
You might not be deemed a suitable candidate for Invisalign if you have more complicated issues with your teeth. The good news is that there are other inconspicuous devices from which to choose if you are shy about having a metallic smile. Clear braces work in the same way as ordinary ones, the only difference is that the brackets are ceramic, not metal, and closely resemble the colour of your teeth making them barely visible to the untrained eye.
Consult with our orthodontist in Hampshire if you want to attain perfect teeth and a dazzling smile.