There are many different types of retainers, which can be either removable or fixed onto the teeth. Braces can trap food and cause more plaque to build up than usual, so you'll need to take extra care with cleaning your teeth. Read more about taking care of your teeth and gums and how to keep your teeth clean.
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It just takes two minutes to submit some simple information about your teeth and get an instant answer for free. If you choose Invisalign braces, your dentist or orthodontist will scan your mouth to create a 3D image of your teeth. This will then be used to plan your treatment. Your tailor-made aligners should be ready within a month of this initial consultation.
The treatment consists of a series of aligners which you change for another set every one to two weeks to gradually shift your teeth. You'll need to go for a checkup every six weeks to see how your treatment is progressing. Unlike other treatments, there is no need to worry about emergency appointments to fix broken wires. The average Invisalign treatment takes months , but it can be shorter or longer depending on the degree of correction required.
For milder cases, Invisalign Lite treatment can take just 6 months. Following your treatment, you will be advised to wear a retainer to stop your teeth moving back to their previous position. Invisalign braces are completely removable which means you can clean and floss your teeth as normal, decreasing the chances of tooth decay and gum disease while you're wearing them.
However, they still need to be worn for hours a day. Those few brace-free hours are for eating, drinking and cleaning, as the aligners are supposed to be removed to eat and drink anything except water. A positive side-effect of this reported by some Invisalign patients is improved eating habits with less snacking.
In short, Invisalign braces offer efficient and convenient teeth straightening that's very hard for other people to notice. The fact that they cost roughly the same as other braces makes them the best type of braces for many adults and teens. Our guide to invisible braces has more information on this treatment and costs. But if you're interested in discussing your treatment further and getting a personal quotation, you can find your local Invisalign provider and book an appointment online by clicking on the button below.
Invisalign work with a wide network of dentists in the UK, so your nearest one may be closer than you realised. Most of them offer a free initial consultation with no strings attached. If you think there is only one type of metal teeth brace, you're in for a surprise. Yes, traditional fixed braces are still around and are probably the best option if you want cheap braces.
But there are other styles to consider, which offer different benefits. They have become lighter, smaller and less noticeable as technology has improved. Having these braces fitted takes hours. The process itself shouldn't hurt but it's normal for teeth to feel sore after the initial fitting, and after each adjustment.
Treatment using a conventional fixed appliance usually takes months. During this time you'll be at increased risk of tooth decay so it's important to take good care of your teeth and clean your braces carefully. The metal brackets used in fixed metal braces are usually made from high-grade stainless steel, sometimes combined with titanium. These brackets are attached to each tooth and a flexible metal wire, made from stainless steel and other metals, is threaded through each one.
Small rubber bands or metal ties are used to secure the wire. By tightening the wire in different places, orthodontists can manoeuvre teeth into the desired position. For teens and even some adults! Coloured braces at least allow you to make a style statement while your teeth are being fixed. Another advantage is that metal fixed braces cost less than most other styles — and may be available on the NHS. Self-ligating braces are a different type of metal brace designed to make braces treatment faster and more comfortable.
In terms of outward appearance, self-ligating braces are much the same as conventional styles in that they use a bracket and wire system. However, the modern technology used means that no elastic bands or metal ties are required to keep the straightening archwire in place. Some brands, such as Damon , have a clear option with transparent brackets for patients who are more image-conscious.
The self-tightening system used in Damon braces combined with advanced technology heat-activated wires mean that the process of aligning teeth is relatively gentle. With traditional brackets, patients usually experience pain or discomfort after each adjustment, but self-ligating braces are constantly adjusting at a much steadier pace. The lack of rubber bands in this style of brace means they are more hygienic, too.
The brackets are designed to hold onto less food than the traditional style. Self-ligating metal braces can also work faster than traditional styles because they are more efficient at moving teeth.
This, along with the fact that they require fewer checkups with your orthodontist, makes them one of the more affordable braces for teeth. Another option for people who want to straighten their teeth inconspicuously is lingual braces.
These are similar to traditional fixed metal braces for adults, except the fittings go behind the teeth , facing inwards, so are hardly noticeable from the outside. The brackets fixed to the inner surface of the teeth can be standard fittings, but they can also be moulded to the shape of each tooth individually.
The latter option is, understandably, much more expensive. These braces are still visible when the mouth is open wide, but it is not immediately obvious that the person is wearing them. The awkward position of lingual brace brackets means they can be difficult to clean and adjustments are likely to take longer than with regular braces.
They can also cause more severe speech problems due to their position in relation to the tongue. Finally, these braces cost more than traditional styles — especially if the metal brace brackets are custom made to fit each tooth.
So although they may be appealing at first glance, it's worth considering the pros and cons carefully, especially when compared to clear aligners. The brackets for ceramic braces are made from a material that's either clear or the same colour as teeth , making them less obvious than conventional metal braces.
The wire used to connect the brackets can also be tooth-coloured. Because these work in the same way as traditional braces, they are just as effective. This does also mean that they carry the same potential for discomfort. The main downside of clear or white braces is that the elastic bands used on them can stain easily if not cleaned properly. The material used also makes them more expensive than what metal braces cost on average. For many people, ceramic braces like Clarity braces , or Damon braces provide a good balance between cost, speed and appearance.
Transparent brace brackets are not noticeable from a distance and are less distracting close-up than metal braces. Treatment speeds can be comparable with clear aligner systems such as Invisalign. Some ceramic braces are slightly more expensive, such as Radiance Plus which is the most luxurious option.
The brackets are completely clear and are made from polished sapphire, making them stain-resistant and more comfortable due to the polished rounded edges. However, they fall into a similar price bracket to Invisalign which is an even less visible option, so it is worth consulting a dentist to see which would be a better option.
Inman Aligners are similar to clear aligners as they are made from a clear plastic material, and are removable. However, they are also made up of metal springs and bars which make them visible when worn. This also makes them quite bulky to wear as the clear plastic envelops the metal parts as well as covering your teeth.
These are suitable for people who only need to make small adjustments to their front few teeth. It isn't possible to treat the entire mouth with this appliance, and the cost of Inman Aligners becomes less competitive with this in mind.
The cost of braces in the UK is very wide-ranging. NHS braces for children up to age 18 are provided for free, if deemed medically necessary. But UK braces prices can reach five figures, for example with custom lingual braces. Don't panic though; whichever type you choose, there are ways you can make your braces more affordable. Orthodontia is free on the NHS for people up to age 18 who have a clear need for treatment.
If you or your children are approaching this age and are considering teeth straightening, it's well worth investigating NHS braces now to avoid paying private braces prices later on. You can read more about the eligibility criteria in our article on braces for kids. Here is one teenager's account of getting metal braces on the NHS, along with some tips for living with them:.
Can adults get braces on the NHS? Usually not. Exceptions are only made in severe cases where orthodontic treatment is needed to avoid serious health problems later in life. You'll need to visit your dentist to find out whether you may be eligible for adult braces on the NHS. This is significantly lower than the cost of private braces treatment in the UK, but very few adults are eligible for NHS braces treatment. If you are deemed eligible, bear in mind that this NHS braces fee only covers the cost of metal braces for adults.
Similarly, children being treated on the NHS will only be offered metal braces. This standard set of measurements has been designed to identify the patients that would benefit the most from braces. Occasionally NHS orthodontic treatment is available to adults, especially those that require jaw surgery, but it is usually provided on a case-by-case basis and only if there is a medical need for treatment. If you do qualify for NHS treatment, both your braces and your first set of retainers will be paid for entirely by the NHS.
As you can imagine, the funding available for each patient is finite and typically covers treatment with fixed metal braces, followed by removable retainers and 12 months of aftercare. If you would like to choose your brace, you have the option to pay for your treatment privately — regardless of whether you qualify for NHS treatment. Not only would you be able to opt for a discreet appliance such as lingual braces, but you would also benefit from the other advantages of private orthodontic treatment.
A consultation is needed before any kind of orthodontic treatment. Patients who qualify for NHS treatment may need to join a waiting list before they can have their brace fitted. Currently, if you are unspecified as to where you wish to be seen, from point of referral to being seen by an orthodontist for an assessment, it is around 18 months. Unless your dentist has specified a practice that they want you to be seen at then it is possible that you could be sent to any practice in Manchester that has the soonest availability.
Once you have been accepted by an orthodontic practice for assessment they will contact you directly to schedule an appointment for your child to be assessed. This appointment will generally take around 30 minutes and may involve having radiographs, photographs and moulds or a scan of your teeth.
At the assessment appointment, the orthodontist will identify whether you fall into the criteria that deem you eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment. In certain cases, the orthodontist may inform you that your child is eligible for treatment however it would be best to postpone treatment until they have stopped growing.
If this is the case then have a chat with your orthodontist to see if any interim treatment can be carried out. When the treatment plan is discussed with you and your child, models or photographs will be used to show the type of appliances we will use to align their teeth.
The fixed appliances are a silver-coloured stainless steel bracket that can have corresponding silver elastics to ligate the wire into position or we have an array of colours that can be used to brighten them up. Unfortunately, the NHS does not allow the mix of NHS and private treatments so you are unable to change the brackets to a cosmetic tooth coloured bracket and just pay the difference.
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