The Effective Guide to Dental Brace Care

Posted on: September 25th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

We are all individuals and all have different needs.  Your dentist at the Straight Teeth Suite is very aware that once you have your dental braces fitted you may encounter a few issues you may not have been expecting.  Different patients respond differently to braces. To preempt this and to be sure you are fully informed in advance, we have compiled a comprehensive list of what you can expect, especially in the first few days.

Braces can be quite uncomfortable when they are first fitted but don’t worry; it is only temporary.  You have something that now feels alien in your mouth, and it feels awkward to chew.  We recommend a soft diet, in particular, nourishing soups while you adjust.

It is important to keep your teeth clean and your mouth healthy and avoid any breakages to minimise your treatment time and successfully straighten your teeth.

In the first few days following the fitting of your new dental braces you might experience:

  • Sore Teeth and Lips – which might feel uncomfortable for a few days or a couple of weeks.
  • Pain – which might resemble a headache in severity.  We all have different pain thresholds.  Some people don’t feel any pain while others need Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to help.
  • Bite Issues -If you have had bite guards placed at the back of your mouth, biting may be a bit awkward at first. This may cause a some discomfort that will go away in a few days as you adjust.
  • Rubbing – Braces, for some patients, cause pressure points as they move your teeth to the ideal position and might rub on your lips. If the wire is rubbing against your gum or lips, you can use the dental wax that comes in your brace kit provided by your dentist. Break a little piece off, soften and mold it with clean fingers and press it over the rubbing bracket and wire to protect your lips. But remember, if you are going to have a hot drink or something to eat, take the wax off first and place it back after you have finished.

Brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day for three minutes is highly recommended to keep your mouth healthy. Don’t just focus around the brackets. Make sure you brush your gums as well. You can use teepee brushes to clean in between the brackets, where regular brushing won’t allow you to reach, and get rid of any trapped food. Your dentist or hygienist will help you pick the right size brush for you. Use a good mouthwash after you have cleaned your teeth.

If you notice any redness or swelling, let us know. Keep regular appointments with the hygienist to ensure your teeth clean and healthy and that plaque around the teeth and any of the brackets is totally removed.

Protect your braces by not eating hard, crunchy, or sticky food, such as chewing gum, toffees, and hard sweets, as the force can break a bracket.  It is advisable to cut your food into small pieces rather than biting into something like an apple. When chewing and eating, take your time, especially if you have had bite guards placed at the back.

Avoid biting your nails or chewing on pens, and pencil tops or opening bottles with your teeth. These actions can obviously cause breakages. If you have a clear brace, such as the 6 Month brace, then your brackets and elastics may stain over time; they become discoloured with tea, coffee, red wine and some foods.

We hope you have a trouble-free experience with your braces.  However, don’t hesitate to contact the Straight Teeth Suite if you have a problem regarding your brace whether it is with pain or a breakage.

Gaps in Your Smile: Teeth Straightening

Posted on: September 11th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

A diastema is a space or gap between two teeth often called, especially in childhood, ‘gappy’ teeth.  Gappy teeth are most often apparent between the two upper front teeth. However, gaps can occur between any two teeth. A discrepancy between the size of the jaw bones and the size of the teeth can cause gaps between teeth or crowding of teeth. If the teeth are too small for the jaw bone, spaces between the teeth will occur. If the teeth are too big for the jaw, teeth will become crowded. If you have gappy teeth, the Straight Teeth Suite have a number of solutions to help you achieve a beautiful smile.

Spaces between the teeth develop for different reasons.  Sometimes teeth are missing or undersized, as with the upper lateral incisors, the teeth next to the two upper front teeth. This can cause the central incisors to develop a space. In some patients, the tissue that extends from the upper gum and connects just above the upper front teeth, known as the labial frenum, is extended and prevents the space between the teeth from closing.  Childhood habits, such as thumb-sucking, over time, push the front teeth out of place creating gaps.  Periodontal or gum disease results in bone loss and displacement of teeth.

One option, if the gaps are very narrow, is to close the spaces with small, white fillings. If the gaps are a little wider, porcelain veneers, made by the best technicians to match your teeth, can give a fully functioning and aesthetically pleasing result.  The third option, if the shape of your teeth is acceptable, is to close the spaces through teeth straightening. A variety of treatments such as 6‐months braces, clear aligners, or conventional, fixed braces can all be used to close the gaps depending on the case in question.

In this particular case, the patient, in agreement with his dentist, chose the braces known as the 6-month smile.  As the name implies, the braces take a short amount of time to gently, and safely move the teeth into their new position, closing the gaps.

Fantastic new solutions to quickly straighten teeth

Posted on: August 28th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

If you want or need your teeth straightened quickly for a big occasion you would like to look your best for, or you do not like the idea of wearing braces for a year or more, aligners are a great solution.  Aligners are custom-made to fit your teeth and gently move them into the desired new position.   If you are a suitable candidate, the Straight Teeth Suite can fit your aligners and straighten your teeth in as little as sixteen weeks.  Four months and you can have the smile you always wanted.

Aligners

As we are all different and have different complexities of issues with our teeth, the dentist will first need to give you an examination to see if aligners are the best solution for your problem and to give you a realistic idea of what to expect.  If the problem is mild, for example, your teeth are just slightly overcrowded, you have an unsightly gap in your front teeth, or they protrude, aligners are probably a great solution, and you will not need braces for too long.  However, you need to be committed and follow the instructions the dentist gives you to the letter if you want fast results.  There are no half measures, if time is an issue.

The aligner is removable, but it is intended the patient wear it day and night until the teeth have been repositioned.  Just because you can take the aligners out, they are not made to be worn part-time if you want them to be effective.  They should only be removed to eat and clean your teeth if you want the best results.

How Aligners work

Aligners are removable braces with a clear plastic bar on the front and on the reverse side of your teeth.  The bars gently oppose each other, guiding the teeth into their new position. As they are almost invisible, they are a fantastic solution if you don’t want anyone to know you are wearing braces to straighten your teeth.  Initially, as with anything alien in your mouth, they may feel awkward and cumbersome, and you may develop a lisp until you get used to them.  During this period, you may be tempted to remove them but, for every hour you leave the aligners out, you add an hour to your treatment time.  If you are dedicated to straightening your teeth, they will follow, and you will soon have the smile you want.  If you feel you are not going to be able to commit, your dentist will suggest another solution.

During treatment, your teeth will need to be checked every two or three weeks to review progress and adjust the plastic bars.  When the treatment is completed, a retainer will be fitted to prevent your teeth from moving back to their old position.

Not quite ready to get braces? Please post your comment below if anything is unclear and you would like your questions answered.

Long may it last: Is my new smile permanent?

Posted on: August 7th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

You may have had braces fitted in your teenage years only to find that over time your teeth have moved back to their original position and are as crooked or overcrowded as they were originally.  Perhaps you are now contemplating whether or not to have braces or aligners fitted to repeat the treatment and correct your smile again but are of the opinion there is little point if they are going to move once your treatment is completed. The reason for the failed treatment is not in most cases because the straightening treatment did not work but because you were either not advised to wear retainers or failed to do so. Your smile will last if you follow a few simple rules as set down by the Straight Teeth Suite.

The most important part of teeth straightening treatment are the retainers.  Whether you have had fixed braces or clear aligners to straighten your teeth, once they are removed a retainer will need to be fitted to keep your teeth permanently in their new position. Without a retainer, teeth can move into the spaces or position they were in before.  When you undergo an orthodontic treatment, the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth require some time to adjust to the new position they are moved into, by your treatment. This time span is crucial and must be used intelligently, to maximize the effect of having worn braces to straighten your teeth to achieve a beautiful smile.

The best retainer is a fixed retainer.   This is a small wire fixed to the reverse side of the teeth and held in place with a white filling material, so it is very discreet. Retainers allow the gums to adjust slowly to the new bone structure and keep the teeth perfectly aligned, at the same time. You are the only person, aside from your dentist, who need know the fixed retainer is there.  Not only is it invisible but it is comfortable.  Very soon you will forget you are wearing the retainer.  It remains in position indefinitely protecting your teeth from moving.

In addition, the Straight Teeth Suite recommend a removable retainer worn over the fixed retainer only at night.  The ‘belt and braces’ combination of the fixed wire and removable retainer ensures good stability while you sleep. Patients who have adhered to this type of retention treatment over a period of more than eight years are the patients whose teeth have remained in position and are happy with their smile.

For all of you who have successfully endured dental treatment and worn braces for anything from six months to two years to straighten your teeth, the relief of finally having your braces removed and seeing your new smile light up your face is a magical moment. Long may it last.

Contact the Straight Teeth Suite here for an appointment to talk about braces and retainers to keep your smile for life.

The Best Ways To Make Your Smile Stick

Posted on: July 31st, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

If you have recently completed your straightening treatment, having worn braces for many months, you will be relieved when they are finally taken off, and you have the pleasure of your new smile unencumbered by brackets, wires or aligners.  The Straight Teeth Suite  explains the need for retainers, how they work, and how they will keep you smiling.

Which Retainer?

There are three types of retainer:

  • Your best option is a fixed retainer worn indefinitely to hold your teeth permanently in their new position.  A fixed retainer is a discreet wire bonded to the back of your teeth where it can’t be seen.  It is comfortably positioned, and you will soon forget it is there.
  • A removable retainer, worn at night, will help prevent your teeth from moving.  This is essential in the early weeks following removal of your braces, and you need to adopt the habit of wearing it regularly.  The plastic vacuum formed retainer is moulded from impressions of your straightened teeth and worn to hold your teeth in place. Without your retainer, your teeth will undoubtedly move.
  • The most cautious option is a combination of both a fixed and removable brace.  The removable brace is worn at night, two or three times a week to be certain your teeth will not move.

Why you need to Wear a Retainer

  1. A retainer keeps your teeth in their new position.
  2. Teeth need time to fuse in place.
  3. Without a retainer teeth can move back into their old position.
  4. The forces of biting and chewing put more pressure on your teeth.
  5. If you lose, or gain, weight and age, your face will change shape putting pressure on your teeth.
  6. Some patients are prone to grinding their teeth when asleep, and these constant forces can damage your teeth.

Before considering braces to straighten your teeth, you need to know the importance of committing to life with a retainer.  After all, you don’t want anything to dent your smile and burst your bubble, so think of your retainer as the protector of your new smile.

Anything we haven’t covered on retainers? Post your comment below and we’ll make sure to answer.

New ways to get straight teeth like celebrities

Posted on: July 24th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

We wonder how many celebrities featured in the news, in magazines and on television who have worn braces to straighten their teeth you can name?  You can’t?  That’s not surprising. Lingual braces are so clever and discreet they can’t be seen.  Nobody will know you have been to the Straight Teeth Suite and are undergoing teeth realignment with Lingual braces unless, of course, you tell them.  

There are some famous people who have embraced their braces and have told the world about their new smiles. Myleene Klass, singer and television presenter of This Morning, flaunted her Lingual braces for all to see.  But, if she hadn’t opened her mouth so wide to let the camera in, no one who have known.

Other famous personalities in the public eye, such as Wimbledon champions, Serina Williams and her sister Venus, Tom Cruise and Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame have all worn braces.  Faye Dunaway, the Oscar-winning actress, wore her braces at the age of sixty- one proving it is never too late to get a beautiful smile.  Members of the Royal family, including Prince William, who wore his braces for years with no one noticing, despite the paparazzi photographing him thousands of times. Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, is known to have had her Lingual braces fitted before her marriage to William giving her a lovely smile for the much-publicised wedding photos.  Her braces were invisible, and only a few close family members knew she had opted to have her teeth straightened until someone leaked the news to the press.

All these celebrities are in the public eye and may be subject to scrutiny. Even if you are not famous, you may feel judged or criticised if you have an overcrowded smile or buck teeth. And, if your bite is misaligned it may be uncomfortable to eat. They are many different reasons, aside from the aesthetic, to consider having braces and realigning your teeth.

You don’t have to be famous to treat yourself like the best.  Lingual braces are available for all.  Fitted to the reverse side of your teeth, they are more comfortable than conventional braces.  As they are custom made, they fit perfectly and are very effective in moving teeth to their desired position in a relatively short amount of time. The brackets are smaller and they are less intrusive so they don’t disrupt your ability to chew or affect your speech.  And best of all, no one will know you have braces unless you tell them.

If you want to be one of the best and have Lingual braces fitted, contact the Straight Teeth Suite HERE

Vanity VS Valour: The very best reasons to Straighten Teeth

Posted on: June 25th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

You may be considering teeth straightening treatment and braces for many different reasons.  Some patients have their teeth straightened because they have crooked teeth that are causing health issues as they cannot clean their teeth effectively, or their bite is impaired making it difficult to eat and they lisp.  Other patients simply don’t like their smile.  Whatever the motive,  be it vanity or valour, the Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham can help you. We all want to smile spontaneously,  look our best and have confidence in our social lives. That’s not vanity, and it is certainly not self-indulgent. It’s a meaningful, intelligent act, especially if it gives you the courage you need in the big wide world.

The Straight Teeth Suite have treated thousands of adult patients who were facing a life-changing event, and their new smiles gave them the resolution and the self-assurance to face the day.  To want to look your best is only natural and makes perfect sense. We get a lot of patients who are in the public sector, for example and have to speak in public or meet clients face-to-face. You might be a teacher, a policeman, a politician or a bank manager, no matter what career,  a beautiful smile, and straight teeth not only makes you happier and more self-confident but actually enhances your job prospects leading to promotion and success. Straight teeth and smiles make successful people.

And brides-to-be invest a lot of time and energy in their special day that of course, they want to look their very best.  After all, photos of the wedding will be treasured for many years and brides and bridegrooms, want to feel relaxed and smile spontaneously for the camera. The Straight Teeth Suite get so many cards of ‘thank you’ from appreciative patients to say how much we’ve changed their lives and how we made the day so special by improving their smile and making them feel good about themselves.

However, we do get a few patients who feel ashamed and think the very act of wanting their teeth straightened is somehow self-indulgent and extravagant, “I want to straighten my teeth but my husband says I’m just being vain.”  Straight teeth are not just for Hollywood stars or the fortunate few who were born with straight teeth.  It’s not about vanity; it’s about improving your quality of life. To desire straight teeth and a beautiful smile you feel happy with, not only boosts your ego but actually improves your mental health on a much deeper emotional and lasting level, turning shy people from introverts to extroverts.  We don’t call this vanity but valor, as armed with straight teeth and an attractive smile you can take on anything and win!

For your free consultation contact the Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham here and be vain!

4 Months with Lingual Braces. How I Learnt to Live With Them

Posted on: May 29th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

After 4 months of living with Lingual braces, my teeth are free, and I have the smile I have been dreaming of for the past twenty years.  I can’t stop looking in the mirror to admire my new grin.  It is better than I ever expected.  For the last few months, I have been visiting the Straight Teeth Suite to have my Lingual braces fitted and adjusted, and I am so happy I did.

Day 1:  Having chosen Lingual braces because they are nearly invisible unless I open my mouth really wide, the day has come for my dentist to fit them. I am excited and nervous at one and the same time. The whole procedure lasted about forty minutes.  Firstly, my teeth were thoroughly cleaned with a water jet.  The brackets were then fixed to the reverse side of my teeth where they can’t be seen using a special adhesive.  As the dentist pressed on each of the brackets to get a strong bond, the pressure was uncomfortable for a moment, and my jaw was starting to ache from keeping my mouth open.  And last of all, the wires were threaded through the brackets. Armed with a bag of essentials including Ibuprofen, toothbrush, mouthwash and dental wax, I made my way home. I was not in any pain yet, but I will let you know how I got on.

Day 2. My first 48 hours with Lingual braces were no better and no worse than I had been warned.  I had a little pain, a lot of discomfort, I lisped a bit, and I found it hard to chew.  After taking a dose of Ibuprofen, the pain disappeared.  My tongue was sore where I had rubbed it on the brackets so I put some dental wax on the wires and brackets, and that really helped.  I had plenty of soups in the fridge and dipped my bread to soften it, so I didn’t go hungry.  I was lisping for a while but practiced using the Rainbow Passage developed by some speech therapists. I didn’t sound too silly. It was useful to practice in front of a mirror and exaggerate the words. Singing along to my favourite songs helped too. My mouth felt really dry overnight, so I kept a glass of water by my bed.

Day 31. A month after my braces were fitted and I could already see a difference in the position of my teeth.  I wasn’t expecting this so soon.  The gap between my lower incisors, right at the front had completely closed.  It is a big confidence boost to see the braces are actually working.  My lisp was much better. In fact, I only lisped when I talked too fast or had bits of food stuck in the brackets.  I brushed my teeth at least six times a day. Not only did my mouth feel much nicer after brushing but it helped with the lisp too.  I had moments when I could forget I was wearing braces which were a real bonus.It can be very tiring being conscious of something alien in your mouth all day.  When I had my braces fitted I was told to avoid biting into anything hard or chewy. Four weeks on I had devised a menu plan to make this more bearable.  Porridge, scrambled eggs, granola with yoghurt and fruit, for breakfast.  Soup, fish and mash, jacket potato with tuna, pasta and sauce, or omelette for lunch or dinner.  And puddings of chocolate mousse or ice cream made up for not being able to eat sweets or biscuits.

Day 60.  Two months later and my wires were adjusted for the first time. It wasn’t too uncomfortable and only took a little time. The best thing was my protruding tooth has now moved to connect with the wire. For the first week, my gums ached again, and I took some more painkillers.  My lisp had totally vanished by this time, so everything was great. I also visited the hygienist who professionally cleaned my teeth.  She was able to get in between the brackets and wires and my teeth felt smooth and clean.

Day 90.  More than halfway through my treatment and I had my wires adjusted again. My teeth had moved dramatically during the past three months since I first had my lingual braces fitted. I was already feeling happy to show my teeth when I smiled, something I avoided doing before.

I was prepared for another week of discomfort after my appointment but this time,  I didn’t need to take the painkillers.

Day 120. At the third adjustment for my braces, the dentist used a stronger wire. He said my teeth were moving well.  My gums were sore again for just a few days but I didn’t have any tongue pain from rubbing on the brackets, and I could eat most things. I was already more confident and actually wore red lipstick for the first time in my adult life.  I even started practicing  smiling for the camera in time for the braces to come off.

Day 143.  The end of the journey, I had my braces removed, and I felt amazing!   I hadn’t actually thought about how the dentist would remove the brackets. When I saw the clamp, a bit of panic set in. The dentist literally pulled the brackets off. One yelp and it was all over.  I had a tiny wire fixed behind my teeth to hold everything in place before my retainers were fitted.  I love my smile and any discomfort, trials and suffering were undoubtedly worth the effort.  If I have any regrets, it is that I didn’t have braces and a beautiful smile sooner.

If you are considering Lingual braces, contact the Straight Teeth Suite for a free consultation HERE

One of the Crowd: Correcting Overcrowded Teeth

Posted on: April 10th, 2018 by freshadmin No Comments

You are not alone if you find your lower teeth are overcrowded and are frustratingly difficult to keep clean.  Many people with crowded lower teeth would like to resolve the problem not only to improve the way their smile looks but to make it easier to clean their teeth and prevent further problems.  You might be one of the crowd when it comes to people with crooked teeth but to the Straight Teeth Suite you are unique, and they have lots of options to straighten your teeth and keep them clean and healthy.

If your lower teeth are overcrowded, you may find they are stained and plaque has built up between your teeth.  No matter how well you brush or how often you see a hygienist the problem is getting worse, and you find it difficult to floss between your teeth.  The best way to resolve the problem is to straighten your lower teeth.  When straightening your teeth you will also resolve a number of oral health issues:

  • You will achieve a beautiful smile
  • Your teeth will be easier to clean
  • You will prevent periodontal/ gum disease
  • You will prevent cavities between your teeth
  • You will prevent wear and tear and chipping of your teeth

There are a number of choices when it comes to braces and straightening your lower teeth. Depending on the severity of the individual’s case, a clear aligner such as Invisalign or Smilelign is an excellent choice.  A clear aligner is made from a mould taken of your teeth.  The aligner is made to fit perfectly over your teeth and is never a case of one size fits all; no two mouths are ever the same.  Your aligner is invisible, easy to wear and can be removed while you eat or clean your teeth.  It is replaced every two or three weeks as your teeth move to their new position. In as little as ten weeks for simple cases, provided you wear the aligner all the time, you will achieve your new smile and become confident in keeping your teeth clean and your gums healthy. More complex cases will take a little longer.

An alternative to clear aligners is a fixed brace such as 6-month braces or a Damon Brace. As with traditional braces, these are fixed to the teeth with brackets and the wires are tightened to move the teeth into the desired position. Unlike traditional braces, the wires and brackets can be tooth coloured making them almost invisible.  And, as with the aligners, the complexity of the individual case will determine how long treatment takes.

If both your upper and lower teeth are crowded or misaligned and you would like a beautiful straight smile you may consider having both treated together or individually.  Make an appointment with the Straight Teeth Suite here for a diagnosis and they will recommend the best treatment for you. Soon you will stand out from the crowd with your new smile.

A Guide to How We Straighten Just 2 or 4 Crooked Teeth

Posted on: January 30th, 2018 by freshadmin 2 Comments

A lot of patients we see only have a few crooked teeth that they are unhappy with and they do not always need lengthy or complex brace treatment to achieve a confident, attractive smile. Sometimes just a simple adjustment, concentrating on just the two or four front teeth will give you the smile you dream of.  There are many options available for braces with the Straight Teeth Suite in Loughborough, and our experienced dentists will guide you in making the best choice.

There are many options available for braces with the Straight Teeth Suite and our experienced dentists will guide you in making the best choice.

Perhaps your two front top teeth, your incisors, project slightly, or you have a wide gap in between the teeth.  A brace will bring these back in line in a relatively short amount of time and, with the help of a retainer, they will stay in place giving you a lifelong, beautiful smile.

In some cases, both the top two teeth and the bottom two teeth are misaligned.  Both top and bottom teeth can be repositioned. Sometimes the top and bottom teeth can be straightened at the same time, and sometimes it is better to concentrate on straightening each arch independently as it will be more comfortable for you.

Straightening Choices

INMAN ALIGNERS

The Inman Aligner, often known as the wonder brace, is a removable brace.  The Inman Aligner has Nickel Titanium coil springs that power two aligner bows that gently oppose each other, guiding the teeth into their new position. These gentle forces are active over a  large range of movements, which is why the Inman Aligner works so quickly. Within just twelve to sixteen weeks if worn as advised.  This brace can address and correct the front two to four teeth. We tend to recommend one jaw at a time because it can feel quite bulky.