Can you smile with confidence? Do you feel like your teeth are in ‘cosmetic limbo’? Looking for a conservative option? Ever ask your self the question ‘But what can I do about it?’
Patients thought they only had 3 options:
- Live with my crooked/crowded/gap teeth
- Go through adult braces for 2-3 years
- Have a ‘dental’ makeover
For the past few years, I have been offering adult braces in my practice. Since I am seeing more and more adults and older teens looking for ways to fix their teeth, I wanted to write about one of the options that I provide. Today’s entry will be about Six Month Smiles, a ‘nearly invisible’ braces system designed to address most adults immediate concerns.
What is it? Six Month Smiles is a system of nearly invisible braces and wires that uses light forces to move teeth. The system was designed to address the teeth that you see when you smile.
How does it work? Using space-age materials, and simple concepts, it works very much like ‘traditional’ braces. The ‘wire’ on the brackets has a ‘memory’ that is designed to bring teeth into better positions. Most people can have straight teeth in an average of 4-9 months, with ‘6’ months being the average.
Is this New? Not really. This type of orthodontics has been around for a while. Recently, technology has allowed us to develop wires that work naturally to do most of the work. It is the latest manufacturing and materials that allows more dentists to treat patients who are looking to fix their crooked teeth. The clear brackets make it an attractive alternative for adults who don’t want ‘metal mouth’.
How clear are the braces? Everything is tooth colored, so only you, and us, will know you are wearing braces.
Who is this for? The system was designed with adults in mind, though some older teens may be candidates. Most adults don’t want to undergo ‘comprehensive’ braces that could take 2-3 years to complete. Everybody wants to make their smiles better, and Six Month Braces was designed to move teeth in a short period of time and address those concerns. If your teeth are crooked, crowded or have spaces, and your ‘bite’ is not a problem, then you are a candidate. Check out some great examples of Jamey, Debbie, and Mike.
Who is not a candidate?
- If you have significant dental problems due to bite issues and have crooked, crowded, or spaced teeth
- If you have significant muscle pain, TMJ pain, frequent headaches that may be related to TMJ or bite problems- you might not be a candidate
- Have one jaw that is significantly larger than the other, or other skeletal issues
- Most teens are better served with traditional braces unless their conditions are very minor.
If your teeth are mis-shaped, too big or too small, badly discolored, or have had a lot of dental work on front teeth, you may need more than just a straight smile to make them look good again. In that case, we also offer other ‘cosmetic’ dental options like porcelain veneers or crowns. Six Month Smiles may help in getting your smile to where in needs to be to make a ‘dental makeover‘ more affordable.
Many people who started Six Month Smiles with me were excited to learn that they were the ‘perfect’ candidate for Six Month Smiles Braces. Now, imagine yourself with a new smile before your next dental hygiene visit. Don’t just imagine it, call us for your free consultation, and we will show you what you could look like with a free ‘smile’ photo mock up.
If you have questions, or just want a complimentary consultation, please call us at 603.429.2199 and let Kathy know you saw our Blog.
Stay tuned, in the next blog find out what Invisalign is all about.
