A majority of people will find out if they need braces in Edinburgh when they are a teenager, but it is becoming increasingly popular for adults to have their teeth straightened too. Many people dislike the common ‘train track’ treatments that are used, as they leave people feeling insecure about their appearance while they go through their treatment. Nowadays there are several other types of treatments available that are not only more discreet, but offer ease when it comes to eating and speaking too.
If you have been putting off straightening your teeth because you were not aware that there were other treatment options available, book a consultation appointment with your dental practitioner. They will be more than happy to discuss the treatments that are now available and find the one that is right for you.
Transparent options can keep you confident throughout treatment
If you like the idea of the traditional appliance but simply wish it was less noticeable, the ceramic version might be for you. Instead of metal brackets and a metal wire the ceramic appliance offers completely clear brackets with a clear or tooth coloured wire attaching them. It is capable of resolving even the most severe of crooked teeth problems and is barely noticeable to others. Treatment will generally take between eighteen and twenty-four months, but this will vary from person to person.
Having a fixed appliance in your mouth for a prolonged period of time can seem like a big commitment and put people off having treatment. Invisalign offers a removable appliance that is almost invisible. You will have a 3D scan taken of your teeth when you have your consultation appointment, and advanced technology will allow your practitioner to discover how your teeth need to move to get into a straight position. It will show how your teeth move at each stage, and from this scan you will have a series of custom-made aligners created. You will have several sets of aligners to wear, and each set must be worn for around two weeks each. You can take your aligners out easily for brushing and eating food, but you still need to make sure that you do not leave them out for more than two hours a day, otherwise this could impact your treatment and prevent it from working properly.
Hidden appliances are just as efficient
A lingual appliance works in a similar way to the traditional and ceramic ones, but it is attached to the inside surfaces of your teeth instead. It has metal brackets and a metal wire, and can sometimes take a few days for your tongue to adjust to, but is completely hidden from view. The time your treatment will take to complete is similar to other treatments too, so it will generally be a minimum of around eighteen months.
Make sure your teeth stay straight
No matter what type of teeth straightening treatment you have, it is important to wear a retainer afterward. Usually your dental practitioner will provide you with one of these and explain how often you will have to wear it and how long for. People will generally need to wear it continuously for a short while after their treatment, but then it is more common for people to only need to wear their retainer at night.
