subject: Teeth Straightening - It's Not All About Metal Braces [print this page] Smiles are very personal things. Those lucky enough to be born with a good set of teeth, that are straight and all in line will probably wonder what all the fuss about teeth and smiles is all about. The reality is that a lot of people are born with misaligned teeth or other orthodontic problems and this can cause issues with self-confidence, mean they don't smile as often as they should and have quite a big impact on their lives.
One of the first things many associate with teeth straightening is of course, braces. Metal braces are one of the main reasons a lot of people will avoid having their teeth straightened. Nothing to do with any potential pain or the inconvenience of trips to the dentist, for many it is the thought of wearing the braces and everyone else seeing them. Not a big confidence booster.
Having your teeth straightened does take a long time and so it's quite natural to be put off by the fact that you will have to wear a metal brace for that length of time. Fortunately there have been advancements in dentistry that have seen real alternatives become available that are suitable for everyone, and even some that don't involve any metal at all!
Lingual braces are fixed metal braces, similar to the traditional metal braces everyone knows and loves. They are made up of brackets which are fixed to the teeth and are held together by arch wires which hold everything together. The big difference is that everything is fixed to the back of the teeth making all of the metal invisible! This makes them perfect for those who would prefer to keep their dental treatment private, they can take longer to adjust than standard metal braces, but it is not unusual to have lingual braces on the top row of teeth and traditional braces on the less visible bottom teeth.
Avoiding metal braces altogether is possible with clear invisible braces. These are clear aligners that are custom designed and developed depending on the exact needs of the patient. Being constructed of clear material means they can't be seen easily by others, but if you are having a series of photographs taken, or are going somewhere you would rather not be wearing braces then clear braces are also removable. Perfect also for keeping them clean and avoiding the build up of any bacteria.
If you aren't happy with your teeth and have longed to have them straightened but didn't want anyone to know it could be worth going and speaking to your local orthodontist about more discreet treatments. They should be able to offer you advice about what will work best for you and outline the full extent to any treatment, giving you a clear picture of exactly what you can expect when the treatment has finished.
by: Paul Robinson.
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