When someone smiles at us, there are usually two things that we notice almost instantly. One is whether the person’s teeth are discoloured or white, and also if they are crooked. Crooked teeth are considered by some to be quite a problem in the UK, possibly due to folk avoiding dental braces when they were younger. We are often the brunt of jokes about “dodgy” teeth from those overseas for example.
Old style dental braces have traditionally been very visible and are usually made from metal as well. A series of wires and brackets are often used to slowly put pressure upon the teeth and guide them towards their correct position. Depending on the exact nature of the problem, this can even take a year or more. It is perhaps no wonder then, that people are often deterred from having the teeth straightening procedure and accept instead, a less than perfect smile.
Over time, things have changed though. There are now modern orthodontic systems available at 103 Dental and Implant Practice that can straighten your teeth in a much less visible way.
Of course, no dental brace could be entirely invisible, but modern braces can now be produced in shades of white that match the colour of your teeth making them very discreet. In some situations, they can be also produced as ‘trays’, rather than wires and brackets, that fit over the teeth and are made from a transparent medical grade plastic. These are made in a series that progressively straighten your teeth as each is replaced over time.
It is sometimes thought that only younger people want to have a beautiful smile but there is no reason why you shouldn’t want to improve your smile at any age. It isn’t just appearances that can be improved though, as we will now see.
While you will still need to brush and floss your teeth well, there is every reason why straighter teeth are more likely to be healthier than crooked and uneven ones. When teeth are evenly spaced, it is much easier for the bristles of the toothbrush to reach between them, and even more so, dental floss. With straight teeth and a good oral health regime, you should find that you have few problems.
Crooked teeth on the other hand, tend to have lots of places where food and bacteria can become easily trapped. Some of these places will be very difficult to reach and as bacteria feed on the trapped foods, they produce acids which damage the tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay, and potentially root canal infections as well.
In addition to this, if our teeth don’t meet each other as they should when we bite or chew, there is a risk that they can become worn or damaged prematurely. Damaged teeth may require crowns or veneers to rectify the problem so it pays to prevent this from happening in the first place.
Undergoing orthodontic treatment, especially in this more discreet way means that you can not only have a more attractive and straighter smile but potentially, healthier teeth and gums too.
The one thing that modern and discreet orthodontics don’t necessarily improve on old style braces is the time that they take to correct your teeth. From mild issues to more complex ones, the time can vary but it is essential that any movement of the teeth is done gently. This not only helps to ensure a more comfortable treatment but minimises any damage that could be caused to the teeth by applying too much pressure to them.
The fact that the orthodontics we provide at our Edinburgh New Town dentists enables this to be done in a less visible manner means that more and more people are now considering having their teeth straightened.
While having crooked teeth can really distract from a smile, it is not the only issue. Dull or discoloured teeth can also have the same effect. While a teeth whitening procedure is affordable and fast acting, there is perhaps little point in having this done if you have crooked teeth; this would only serve to highlight the crookedness. Many people who undergo orthodontic treatment also take the next step and have them whitened upon completion of their orthodontic treatment.
If you would like to discover more about how we can help you have an even and straight smile in a discreet and comfortable manner, why not contact us to book an initial consultation? We invite you to call the 103 Dental and Implant Practice today on 0131 608 3219.
