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Braces aren’t just for children and teens. As you get older, you may notice your teeth start to shift and move out of alignment. Or perhaps you’ve always struggled with crooked teeth but didn’t qualify for orthodontic treatment as a child.
Whatever your reasons for wanting a straighter smile, you’ll be pleased to learn you aren’t alone. More and more people are turning to orthodontic treatments later in life. But they usually have one thing in common. They all want their treatment to be discreet.
If you work in a public-facing role, traditional metal braces might make you feel self-conscious. It doesn’t matter how old you are, taunts about your braces will always sting. So what are the alternatives?
Braces have come a long way since the days of clunky metal hardware. There are now so many different options, including some very discreet choices. So if you’re putting off getting braces because you’re worried about how they will look, read on to discover the very best discreet options for achieving a straighter smile.
This is perhaps the most well known of the discreet braces options. With Invisalign, there isn’t a single piece of metal in sight. Instead, your dentist will straighten your teeth using a series of clear plastic aligners. You wear the aligners for at least 22 hours per day, taking them out to eat, drink hot drinks, and brush your teeth. When you’re wearing them, they are virtually invisible, so you won’t have to feel self-conscious about a thing.
If you want the confidence to keep smiling through your orthodontic treatment, ceramic braces could help. Similar to traditional fixed braces, these use ceramic, tooth-coloured brackets and thin metal wires to straighten your teeth. The injection moulded brackets are attached to your teeth and the wires are adjusted by your dentist to help move your teeth into place. They are designed with discretion in mind, so they’re perfect for the image-conscious.
For a truly invisible option, lingual braces are the obvious choice. These fixed metal braces straighten your teeth from behind. So you are free to smile without feeling self-conscious. We use the Incognito™ lingual brace which uses cast gold brackets and mechanically bent wire to move your teeth into the optimum position. Lingual braces offer incredible accuracy and are the only 100% invisible option.
You might be surprised to learn that even traditional fixed braces have come a long way. They’re no longer clunky and obvious, so you don’t have to worry about everyone knowing you have a mouth full of metal.
At Stoke Orthodontics, we use 3M Victory™ Traditional Braces which are designed to be low profile and comfortable. Fixed braces are incredibly effective and can fix a multitude of orthodontic problems. The flat braces are designed to fit comfortably, with no rubbing or abrasions. And the high bonding strength ensures effective treatment.
If you are looking to amend a minor imperfection, composite bonding could offer a better option. This is a quick fix for those small imperfections that are holding you back. Dental contouring is an alternative to veneers and can treat a number of concerns, including crooked teeth, gaps in the teeth and discolouration.
With composite bonding, you can enjoy same-day results. Specialist material is applied directly to the tooth and then shaped to fix any imperfections. It’s not only a great way to make teeth appear straighter, but it can also fix problems like chipped teeth and discolouration.
If you’re looking for a complete smile makeover, composite bonding can help. If you’re not sure which braces are right for you, the first step is to book an orthodontic consultation. This will allow your dentist to assess your teeth and give you a chance to ask questions about the treatment. Your dentist can then create a treatment plan which is tailored to you, so you can get a better idea of the results you can expect to achieve. Get in touch today to book your appointment!
