Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry » Orthodontics

An effective long-term solution to straightening your teeth and correcting your bite is orthodontics. Orthodontics is a subspecialty area in dentistry that focuses on aligning and straightening teeth using wires and brackets that apply force to the teeth to move them into a particular position. The discipline has advanced over decades and today treatment is a lot shorter and more comfortable than it was in the past.

Patients who have problems with their bite and the way their top and bottom teeth line up against each other should consider having orthodontic treatment. Treatment does require good oral hygiene habits by the patient and regular visits to the practice for check-ups and adjustments. Depending on the extent of the alignment required with your teeth, treatment can take from several months to a year with reliable results. Thanks to fixed permanent retention you can be assured that your teeth won't move after treatment is completed.

The main benefit of having orthodontic treatment is that straighter teeth are healthier teeth. When your bite is properly aligned and your teeth are straightened, there are less gaps and areas for food to get trapped and plaque to build up on the teeth, causing decay. In that sense, orthodontics is a long-term investment in your oral health.

Quick Straight Teeth (QST).

There are two types of removable QST product, both of which get outstanding results. One is a clear aligner, like invisalign, while the other works in a similar way to the Inman Aligner. QST removable devices are unrivalled for their comfort and very discreet. Depending on the case, treatment times range from 4 to 24 weeks.

QST has a very discreet fixed bracket system that focuses on the front six or eight teeth, using tooth-coloured wire and clear brackets, so these braces are barely noticeable. Treatment outcomes are more predictable than with some other systems, so it is also a fast treatment, taking up to about six months for mild alignment problems.

Six Month Smiles

Six Month Smiles has taken the best aspects of braces and modified the treatment and the materials to give adults a common-sense, cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle. Here is what makes 6 Month Smiles so innovative....

Here is what makes 6 Month Smiles so innovative...

• Average treatment times of only six months
• Six Month Smiles Lucid-Lok™ clear brackets and tooth-colored wires are barely visible
• Use of braces has shown to provide the most conservative and predictable final result
• Six Month Smiles Patient Tray Kits™ ensure that your appointments are fast and comfortable
• Low forces and short overall treatment times increase comfort, safety, and hygiene
• Six Month Smiles is typically less expensive than traditional braces, aligner therapy, or veneers

Q: What is 6 Month Smiles?

6 Month Smiles™ braces are clear

Wires are usually tooth-coloured and very small

Treatment times usually fall within 4-9 months

Discomfort is minimal as teeth are gently repositioned

Cost is usually less than traditional braces

Q: How can teeth be straightened in only 6 months?

A: The 6 Month Smiles™ technique employs the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely using a brace that is attached to your teeth. The key components of the treatment are the use of special nickel titanium wires and a primary focus of moving the teeth that show when you smile.

Q: 6 months sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal for the whole time?

A: No! 6 Month Smiles™ dentists use tooth-coloured braces that are barely visible. The wires are usually tooth-coloured as well. These are nothing like metal braces!

Q: How are 6 Month Smiles™ more comfortable than regular braces?

A: 6 Month Smiles™ use low force to move teeth more comfortably. Many people think that the accelerated treatment means simply "tightening" regular braces to get the teeth moving, but that is not true. 6 Month Smiles™ utilizes standard orthodontic mechanics, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite.

Q: Do 6 Month Smiles™ braces damage the teeth, roots, or gums?

A: There are no more risks of root damage or other issues than those associated with traditional orthodontics. Since the forces used with 6 Month Smiles™ braces are lighter and teeth are seldom extracted, there are actually even fewer risks involved with 6 Month Smiles™ orthodontics.

Q: Will I have to wear a retainer?

A: Yes, as with any teeth-straightening treatment a retainer is necessary to maintain the straighter position of your teeth. If you don't want to wear a removable retainer, you can have a bonded retainer placed. There are a variety of options that you can choose from according to your personal preference and situation.

Q: Would I be suitable?

A: If you are an adult (15 years and older) with crooked or spaced teeth and you're not looking for a major alteration to your bite, this could be the solution for you! Most adults ARE candidates for 6 Month Smiles.

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