Teeth Straightening: Which Treatment Is Right for You?

Teeth Straightening: Which Treatment Is Right for You?

01-02-2024

If you have misaligned or gappy teeth, there are many reasons to straighten them. Correcting their position improves the appearance of your smile, reduces the risk of tooth decay, and can stop jaw pain, speech issues, and problems with chewing. 

There has never been a better time to receive treatment for straightening your smile. With lots of innovation over the last couple of decades, the available choice is now phenomenal! 

When presented with so many options, it can be overwhelming. How do you know you’re getting the best treatment for you? 

To help you make that all-important decision, we’ve created this guide to the benefits of the various options available. 

What Teeth Straightening Options Are Available?

Although there are dozens of options available across the dental industry, we offer four solid teeth straightening treatments. These are:

Invisalign

This is a removable clear aligner system that gently straightens your teeth in stages. Each stage lasts around two weeks, and you’ll change your aligner to progress the treatment to the next level. 

Invisalign is virtually invisible and can be taken out easily when eating or bruising your teeth. 

Ceramic Braces

When most people think of braces, they imagine the traditional metal kind. Ceramic braces use brackets and wires to move your teeth, but they’re much more subtle. The brackets are made from a tooth-coloured ceramic material to blend with your smile.

Inman Aligner

This fast-acting aligner uses nickel titanium springs to power two bows that use opposing force to make fast tooth movements. 

Six Month Smiles

Much like ceramic or traditional braces, Six Month Smiles uses brackets and wires to straighten teeth. Unlike these other braces, Six Month Smiles achieves a quicker result by focusing on the most visible teeth. Brackets and wires are only fitted to the teeth being moved. This is perfect for simple adjustments. 

What to Consider When Choosing Your Teeth Straightening Treatment?

There are several factors that you should consider when choosing your treatment. It’s always important to have a full consultation before making any final decision, as some options may not work in your circumstances. 

Type and Severity of Malocclusion 

A malocclusion refers to any misalignment or irregularity in the position of your teeth. It could mean your teeth are crooked, spaced apart, or crowded. It can also refer to a bad bite, where your upper and lower teeth don’t align when your mouth is closed. 

Some treatments are better at tackling more complex treatments than others. For instance, Six Month Smiles and Inman Aligner are very effective for mild cases, Invisalign is great at treating mild and moderate cases, and ceramic braces can tackle a range of severities. 

Treatment Duration

How long your treatment lasts will largely depend on the severity of your malocclusion. But if you have a mild case, you could choose Six Month Smiles, which, as the name suggests, takes half a year. Invisalign can also achieve great results in six months. Alternatively,  Inman Aligners can often be quicker, with some cases only taking six weeks. 

Treatment Discretion

For some, the idea of braces isn’t appealing as they’ll feel self-conscious. If the visibility of your treatment matters, choose an option like ceramic braces or Invisalign. 

Treatment Convenience

Invisalign and Inman Aligners are removable. This makes mealtimes and hygiene much easier. For many, this convenience is welcomed. However, if you’re likely to forget to put your aligner back in your mouth, you may find a fixed system works better for you. 

Adjustments and Checkups

During treatment, you may need adjustments and checkups. The wires of fixed brace systems need to be tightened to progress treatments, while Invisalign aligners are replaced every two weeks and Inman Aligners are adjusted manually. 

Consider how you feel about having your appliance adjusted. 

Teeth Straightening in Dartford

At Kreate Dental, we have a great range of teeth straightening treatments available. We recommend booking a consultation to make an informed decision based on the position of your teeth and your lifestyle. Call today to schedule your consultation.