Blog — ceramic braces

Braces: What to Expect 0

First things first, what are braces?

Well, braces are an orthodontic procedure that are used to straighten teeth.

Ideally used for people who have crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, they apply pressure to move teeth into the correct positions. At Northenden House we offer different types of braces for your needs; the most common being lingual braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign aligners.

Getting braces can be quite a daunting, especially when you don’t know what to expect. But worry not as we will guide you through the whole process.

There are 3 main areas we are going to cover so you know what to anticipate.

Three Tips For Looking After Your Brace This Christmas 0

Manage what you eat

Mince pies are traditional naughties for this time of year. However they are quite sticky in structure and can stick to your teeth and under your braces.  Perhaps swap them for a shortbread biscuit but be mindful they aren’t too hard otherwise you risk breaking your orthodontic appliance.

Choosing Invisalign over ceramic braces 0

All the orthodontic appliances offered at Northenden House Orthodontics will do an excellent job at aligning your teeth.  However cosmetically they all offer variances in visibility. 

Invisalign is a clear tray aligner system that is fitted exactly over your teeth. They are completely transparent so your natural tooth colour is visible through them making them a brilliant cosmetic option.

Start the New Year by Improving Your Smile 0

The New Year always provides an opportunity to try and make some changes, whether this be to your lifestyle or even your appearance. If there are things that you feel uncomfortable about or lack confidence in, why not take the opportunity to make some improvements now? If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, we understand that this can have a big effect on you and you may not like showing off your smile. At Northenden House Orthodontics, we can provide a number of treatments to help you get the smile that you desire this New Year.

Traditional Braces

Metal braces are still widely used and are proven to be extremely effective for straightening and realigning crooked teeth. Whilst they have a reputation for being uncomfortable and slow, metal braces now use much smaller brackets than they used to and can provide quicker results.

Self Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are a more modern alternative to traditional braces. Rather than using elastic bands to keep the wire in place, they use small metal clips. Some of the biggest benefits of self ligating braces is that they are designed to be more comfortable than traditional braces and can achieve faster results as the wires don’t need to be tightened at every appointment.

One of the main reasons that many people avoid seeking orthodontic treatment is that they are worried about what other people might think. Whilst having crooked teeth can have an effect on your self-confidence, this can be even more difficult if you are worried about your braces making your teeth stand out even more. However, in recent years, orthodontic technology has advanced considerably and there are a number of discreet treatments available:

Invisalign® Aligners

Invisalign® aligners are an extremely popular teeth straightening treatment as they are simple to use and almost invisible. Similar to a mouthguard, clear aligners fit over the teeth and are made from transparent, wafer thin medical grade plastic. Invisalign® are comfortable to use and can be taken out to eat, drink and clean your teeth properly. Orthodontists provide a series of clear aligners which are changed to the next pair approximately every 2 weeks, gradually moving the teeth into the required position.

Ceramic Braces

Similarly to traditional braces, ceramic braces are fitted to the front of the teeth, but metal brackets are replaced by subtle tooth coloured or clear brackets with metal wires running through them. As a result, they are much less noticeable than standard metal braces. Many people choose ceramic braces if they suffer from teeth irregularities that mean that Invisalign® treatment isn’t suitable.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces not only treat a number orthodontic problems, but they are probably the most discreet way of straightening teeth. Whilst lingual braces use brackets and wires, unlike traditional braces, all brackets are fitted to the back of the teeth so they are practically invisible to other people. To provide the most efficient treatment, the metal brackets are custom made for the individual shape of the teeth.

If you feel unhappy with your teeth and feel that the New Year is the perfect time to improve your smile, you can call Northenden House Orthodontics on 0161 998 2622 or email info@manchesterorthodontics.co.uk.