Orthodontics is often thought of as producing results that only affect the appearance of teeth, so it is easy to dismiss this treatment as being merely cosmetic. But the truth is that orthodontics in Bromley can do far more than just give you a nicer and more attractive smile, even though this is still a very valid reason for considering braces.

One excellent reason for thinking about braces is for the effects on your oral health. Braces can be used to correct issues with overcrowded or overlapping teeth, or to close up spaces in between teeth. If you have any of these problems then you might have found it is often difficult to keep your teeth as clean as you’d like. Teeth that are tightly packed in can be very difficult to floss, and it can be the same problem if they overlap. If you have gaps in between your teeth then these can often trap food.

Bromley Dental Practice has a couple of different options for straightening teeth which are designed to remedy most common orthodontic problems. The first is called Clear Braces^TMand this uses clear plastic aligners or positioning trays to gently move your teeth from their present positions into a more desirable arrangement. This system is very popular as the trays are virtually invisible and can easily be removed for cleaning, as well as during eating and for brushing and flossing. It is suitable for most people over the age of fourteen who have strong and healthy teeth that will respond well to orthodontics.

The second option is to choose the Inman Aligner. This system is also removable, and is ideal if your teeth are generally in the correct positions and you don’t have any real problems with the way they bite together. This is because an Inman Aligner concentrates on moving your front teeth, using two very thin metal bars that fit in front of and behind your front teeth. The bars are powered by springs and gently squeeze your teeth into the correct positions so they are gradually pulled into the correct alignment. An Inman Aligner could be the perfect solution for moving crooked or slightly overlapping front teeth, or for pulling protrusive teeth back into place.

Removable braces can be much easier to cope with, as there will be no need to try to clean around fiddly wires and brackets which can be very time-consuming. Instead all you need to do is to take your brace out for eating, and you can then clean your teeth before replacing it. One thing to bear in mind is patient compliance, as you do need to remember to wear your braces for them to work and you must use them for the recommended number of hours each day which is usually whenever you are not eating or cleaning your teeth.

If you would like to know more about orthodontics and how it could help you, then it is best to book a consultation with your dentist in Bromley. Dr Zaki Bashir can examine the way your teeth bite together, before suggesting a suitable system to make the required changes. He will only recommend orthodontics if he is sure it will provide the desired results.

Most people who have crooked teeth would prefer not to, and while one option is to have dental veneers it’s not always the healthiest choice as Dr Zaki Bashir would need to remove some tooth material to make room for the veneers. However the thought of wearing braces for many months or even years isn’t exactly appealing, especially as older style braces often meant wearing metal brackets combined with highly visible wires and elastics. It’s quite different nowadays, and adult orthodontics is much more common than it was even a few years ago. This is largely due to the development of new and far more innovative braces in Bromley that make the most of the very latest technology. In fact Bromley Dental Practice is able to offer patients a few different options for straightening teeth, and one of these can take as little as 2 to 4 months to work.

This particular brace is called the Inman Aligner, and is fully removable so it is very easy to look after your teeth and gums during treatment. It’s also possible for it to be left out completely for the occasional special event. The brace works through squeezing the teeth into the correct positions, and is primarily designed to only move the teeth visible when smiling. It uses a coiled spring that fits inside the tooth surfaces, placing pressure on the back of the teeth. At the same time another very thin metal bar is placed across the front of the teeth and has the effect of pushing the teeth back into position. This squeezing action is very effective at correcting the way teeth are aligned. The brace is extremely discreet as the metal wire going across the front the teeth is very thin, and this technology is tried and tested as it has been around for more than a decade now.

One thing patients often ask is whether treatment will be painful. It is possible that you will experience some discomfort while your teeth are being straightened as they are being pushed into new positions. Some people might need to take mild over-the-counter painkillers for the first week or so. It can also take a bit of time to get used to wearing the appliance as it may initially feel quite strange. The Inman Aligner could affect speech for the first week or so until your tongue becomes accustomed to the brace.

While the Inman Aligner is an excellent treatment, it is primarily designed to treat mildly misaligned teeth, or teeth that are only just slightly out of position. It’s also a very good treatment if you wore braces as a child or teenager, but failed to keep up with wearing your retainer and have since gone on to have an orthodontic relapse where the teeth have tried to move back towards their original positions.

If you think you might like to straighten your teeth then it’s best to make an appointment with your dentist in Bromley. They will need to carefully assess the way your teeth currently bite together to see if the Inman Aligner is suitable or if you would benefit from more comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

Many people only have slightly crooked teeth, or even just one or two front teeth out of position. In this case it can be overkill to go for full braces, and most people would not want to undergo orthodontic treatment for many months or even years. In the past one solution would have been to have the teeth ground down for veneers or crowns, but this is not something most dentists would like to do as it means removing healthy tooth material that can never be replaced. Nowadays, thanks to advanced orthodontic technology, it’s possible to straighten your front teeth within just a few weeks or months.

Dr Zaki Bashir can fit patients with the Inman Aligner, an extremely discreet device designed to correct minor cases of misalignment, or orthodontic relapses. An orthodontic relapse is where somebody has previously had orthodontic treatment, but has failed to keep up with wearing their retainer, allowing the teeth to move slightly out of position.

How Does the Inman Aligner Work?

The Inman Aligner is removable and just about invisible. The only sign of it will be a clear coloured wire that runs across the front of your teeth. This is powered by a lingual coil spring that applies pressure to the teeth, forcing them into the correct positions through a squeezing motion. The wire across the front of your teeth will squeeze the teeth against the spring inside the appliance, slowly but comfortably moving your teeth into position. It’s extremely quick and easy to have this appliance fitted, and afterwards you’ll just need to visit the Bromley Dental Practice once a month for a check-up that takes just quarter of an hour. Often treatment can be completed in as little as 2 to 4 months.

What to Expect during Treatment

A lot of people are concerned that orthodontic treatment is uncomfortable or even painful. It is true that it does involve some minor discomfort as your teeth are being forced to move position. You might find you need to use over-the-counter painkillers for the first few days until you get used to the sensation. Wearing any sort of dental appliance can stimulate the flow of saliva, but you should soon adjust to this effect within a day or two. It’s possible the aligner might affect your speech, but as you get used to it you should find it returns to normal.

The Inman Aligner is ideal for treating the top or bottom front teeth but won’t correct any major issues with the way your teeth bite together. If you have more severe orthodontic problems it’s likely your dentist in Bromley will suggest an alternative type of treatment. More extensive problems with malocclusion can often be corrected with Clear Braces, a system that is designed to treat all the teeth in the mouth rather than just the front teeth. Once your teeth are in the correct positions then you need to be prepared to wear your retainer as directed by your Bromley dentist. This helps ensure all your hard work and effort doesn’t go to waste, and is an unobtrusive device designed to keep your teeth in the correct positions.