Alternatives to metal braces for straightening adults’ teeth

Alternatives to metal braces for straightening adults’ teeth

25 August 2016

Does the word “braces” make you quake with fear, picturing the obvious metal appliances worn by your peers at school? There is no need to panic: Kent clinic Staplehurst Dental Practice offers a number of subtler routes to straighter teeth, designed with discretion and comfort in mind.

At our Kent dental practice we are keen to point out the additional benefits of teeth straightening, at any age, which you may not have thought about. Any type of orthodontic treatment, whether using braces or aligners, will improve your dental and general health as well as the appearance of your smile.

It is easier to clean your teeth when they are properly aligned. With fewer tricky gaps in which dental plaque can amass, you can reduce your risk of both dental decay and gum disease using braces or aligners. These are two leading causes of tooth loss, whilst gum disease has also been linked in numerous medical studies to a range of serious general health concerns, including heart and lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and low birth weight in babies whose mothers suffered from a severe form of this condition.

All of these problems are best avoided, and using either discreet braces or aligners to straighten your teeth can help. Of course, you will still need to visit the dentist and hygienist at our Kent dental practice, and be efficient in your home cleaning routine, too.

Kent braces and aligners

When you come into our Kent practice for a teeth straightening consultation, your dentist will carry out a thorough assessment to determine the best treatment to suit your needs.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces comprise clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires, so they will blend in well with your teeth. They are designed for rapid correction of issues affecting the front teeth.

Invisalign

Staplehurst Dental Practice in Kent offers a range of Invisalign teeth straightening options. The original Invisalign system uses a series of clear, removable aligners to correct a wide range of problems. Invisalign i7 is designed for fast, minor correction, whilst Invisalign Teen is designed with teenagers’ needs in mind, allowing for the occasional lost aligner.