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Straight talk: why it’s never too late to embrace braces

‘Metal mouth’, ‘brace face’… most of us can remember the playground nicknames that brace wearers were called. However, increasing numbers of adults are turning to braces in their desire for the perfect smile.

The rise in demand for adult orthodontics is a reflection of the increased confidence that comes with having perfectly straight teeth and many men and women feel that a great smile brings social and professional advantages. There are also health benefits to having straight teeth, with a greater risk of plaque build-up with teeth that are misaligned.

Often these patients have undergone orthodontic work when they were children and require repeat treatment later on. Traditionally, you were advised to wear a retainer for a limited period after your braces were removed, usually just a year. Now we know that teeth can move back into their original position and patients are advised to wear a retainer for the rest of their lives.

Braces have also evolved in recent years and there are many more aesthetic options, including invisible braces in the form of Invisalign. Lead dentist at Bristol’s CK Dental, Cornelius Krause, will advise you whether traditional metal braces are more appropriate, which may be the case for those with severely misaligned teeth or a bite problem.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign or invisible braces are a series of clear aligners; each aligner is worn for a couple of weeks, progressively moving your teeth into the correct position. The amount of time the treatment takes varies from patient to patient, depending on the degree of misalignment, and it can take from a few months to two years.

Invisalign is not suitable for all patients, as they can’t correct differences in heights and can’t fix a severely overcrowded mouth. If you’re interested in finding out if Invisalign is suitable for you, then call 0117 906 4872 and book an appointment.