If you have crooked teeth and are considering getting them straightened, it’s important to understand how long the process takes and what results you can expect. At Manor House Dental, we strive to provide our patients with the highest quality dental care available in the area. We are also happy to address any questions you may have about our teeth straightening procedure, from what it involves to how long it takes to how much it costs. Just contact us today!
Why Do Teeth Need To Be Straightened?
When a tooth’s position interferes with its normal function, you probably will need orthodontic treatment. This is especially true for people who experience complications because of crowded teeth or misaligned bites, such as gum and jaw problems. Once our dentist has assessed your situation, they can explain what course of action will be best for your case. Most often, we will suggest clear braces, Invisalign and Six Month Smiles to straighten your teeth and give you a comprehensive treatment plan.
As well as affecting how you look, crooked teeth can also increase the risk of dental health problems and also complicate any mouth care. As a result, straightening teeth can be a vital intervention for those who need it.
How Long Does It Take For Teeth To Straighten?
Normally, teeth straightening using braces takes anywhere between 12-18 months. For those who have more minor cases, treatment can be completed in less than a year. Check with our dentist for an accurate timeline. For full treatment success, it may be necessary to wear a retainer after getting braces. Get in touch with us and we can schedule an appointment with you to see if you are eligible for this treatment.
How Do Braces Work?
Thanks to technological advancements, braces have evolved over the past decade or so. Even so, their principles remain the same: the dentist uses a special appliance to straighten some or all of your teeth. Gum tissue surrounds your teeth. Around the root of the tooth, the gum tissue is supported by the periodontal ligament, which is embedded in the jawbone.
Once braces exert pressure on the teeth, the periodontal ligament expands on one side of the root and is compressed on the other. This allows new bone to grow, firmly locking the tooth in its new position in the jaw. It’s known as bone remodelling. When wearing braces, your teeth can be safely pushed into alignment, providing you with a brand new, straighter smile!
How Does Invisalign Work?
You might have heard of Invisalign, or ‘almost invisible’ braces. These are a relatively new type of orthodontic brace that offer many benefits over conventional braces. One of the key benefits is that there’s no surgery involved as you just wear a specially-fitted aligner (fairly similar to a mouthguard). These aligners are manufactured using a special type of plastic designed specifically for the Invisalign process.
First, our dentist takes a mould and photographs of your mouth, then uses computer software to design how your teeth will be straightened. These are sent off to a lab, where your aligners will be made. Each aligner is designed to move your teeth closer to the desired position by a little bit, so each one is worn for around one to two weeks. Over the course of many weeks, your teeth will slowly become straighter. With appropriate timing, Invisalign treatment rarely takes more than a year for adults.
How Long Does Invisalign Take To Work?
Your Invisalign treatment will be largely based on how complicated the condition of your teeth is. Some treatments can be done in as little as 6 months, but many people start seeing the benefits of the treatment in just a few weeks.
How To Choose Which Braces Are Right For You
Most people want their braces to be subtle, but that is not always possible. Your treatment should be tailored to your needs, just like every other individual. For instance, many people find that Invisalign will not produce the desired results when teeth are severely misaligned. In a similar way, full bracket and wire braces might not be applicable for some smiles.
The best way to find out which braces are right for you is to talk to one of our dentists. They will be able to examine your teeth and offer advice on which type of treatment will work best for your needs.