Adding the Finishing Touches after Braces

Posted on: June 5th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

After spending months getting their teeth straightened with braces, many people like to go that one step further and see if they can make their new smile even better with teeth whitening or cosmetic bonding.

It makes sense, after putting in all that effort, to ensure your teeth are as perfect as you want them to be. There are a number of ways to do this, especially if your teeth have suffered damage such as staining or chipping that your braces couldn’t ‘cure’.

Tooth Whitening

Professional bleaching is the popular way to get rid of discolouration on the teeth and our dentists at the Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham will be able to advise if this is the best method for you. It’s a simple, pain free way of getting whiter teeth and removing those stains that have gathered over time.

The most common process is called dentist supervised home whitening where you have specially fitted trays produced that are placed in your mouth like gum shields. You will be able to take these home where a whitening gel is used to bleach the surface of the teeth. The shields can be worn overnight and gradually lighten the colour of your teeth to make your smile brighter.

Another option is chair-side whitening which is undertaken at the dentists. Your dentist will put a rubber shield or a gel over your gums to protect them and then apply a whitening product to your teeth, again using a specially made tray. The whitening product has either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which both work by allowing oxygen to get into the enamel and dentine of the teeth. Application of this process causes the tooth colour to become lighter.

Whitening can last up to three years but it often depends on your personal habits. If you smoke, or drink products that stain your teeth (like red wine, tea and coffee), the effect may not last as long.

Dental Bonding

Another option is to use cosmetic bonding to complete that perfect smile after braces.

Bonding is often used to correct the shape of the teeth, improving jagged, pointy, worn or chipped edges. Over time our teeth can be damaged from chewing nails, eating the wrong food or just from acid corrosion as a result of having fruit or carbonated drinks. The older you get the more likely your teeth are to have signs of wear and tear.

Bonding uses a specially made resin that is applied to the surface of your tooth and can be shaped by an expert dentist to restore it to its original glory. This process can also be used to close the gaps between teeth or make them appear slightly longer.

Under the eye of a qualified cosmetic dentist it’s possible to add the finishing touches to your teeth once those braces come off and at the Straight Teeth Suite in Nottingham Leicester and Loughborough there are a variety of choices.

Whether you decide on dental bonding or teeth whitening, or both, we’ll be able to give you the best advice and ensure that you leave with a perfect smile.

The difference between Damon braces and traditional train tracks

Posted on: May 8th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

Train tracks is the term dentists use to refer to the traditional types of braces. How one feels and looks like when wearing braces is quite straightforward. In the past, wearing braces was considered much too uncomfortable and people would only wear them because they had to. Truth is, they hated them; but, in order to achieve the desirable end result, they tolerated their braces.

Although there is nothing wrong with being patient so to reach a goal, especially since your smile and teeth look awesome after the removal of braces, there is no need to see braces as a necessary evil. Cosmetic dentistry has contributed a great deal, and there are many options available. You can now have discreet and much more comfortable braces to do the dental works for you. After all, you deserve to be provided with something that feels as natural as it can be, for the time you will be wearing your braces (usually between 6 months to 2 years).

Having said that, you are a modern adult and as such you want updated alternatives. In this case, the Damon System makes the perfect match and is loaded with many advantages you cannot miss.

Train tracks are made up of metal brackets and arch wires that help keep brackets in place. With the traditional process, where your dentist ties in the brackets, you get friction developed between the wires and the teeth, which limits the movement of the teeth.

Damon braces have ceramic brackets and of course a wire, but that is not much of a revelation. What makes them much more appealing than train tracks is that they have a slide mechanism (self-ligating) that contains a movable component. Thanks to it, you get more freedom of teeth movement and much less discomfort. So long for the elastic ties!

What the slide mechanism in Damon braces does is to use high-end wires and a revolutionary mechanical system that allows your facial muscles, bone, tongue, and soft tissues to work with low forces applied on them.

Thanks to these low forces, you save yourself the discomfort of having to endure high-force extractions or expansion, in order to achieve a symmetrical facial outcome.

This automatically means less visits to the dentist and reduced treatment time, with the help of the latest technology wires and Damon braces leading the way.

Who can wear Damon braces? Practically everybody. From teens to adults; because, the Damon system helps get back your beautiful smile and contributes to a great facial aesthetics result.

According to testimonials from adult patients that have used the Damon system, they appear uplifted and admit feeling (and looking) like teens again!

Wearing Damon braces:

>your treatment time is reduced by 25%,

>you visit your dentist less often, in order to have your braces adjusted,

>you skip tightening processes because there are no more elastics in your mouth,

>you save more of your healthy teeth, since there is less need for an extraction,

and, of course, you achieve better facial aesthetics.

Undoubtedly, you have plenty of options to choose from when considering straightening your teeth. Therefore, it is best if you addressed to a professional orthodontist or dentist that can responsibly decide which system is best suited to your needs. You can book a free consultation here

STRAIGHT TEETH SUITE, in Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough has been around for far too long to know the value of all the latest advancements in cosmetic dentistry, without completely deleting the traditional systems used as of now.  However, since your best interest is our goal, when it comes to braces, we tend to go with the high-technology Damon braces that give you comfort, less treatment time, and save you from teeth extractions, extra visits, and precious time, while ensuring an amazing result and a beautiful smile on your face! Is there anything better to ask?

Am I too old to have braces?

Posted on: April 8th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

Many adults fear the sight of a camera and the request ‘smile!’ because they are embarrassed by their teeth. There has been little hope for those who feel self-conscious about their smile. Metal braces are seen as too ugly and time-consuming for adults, while other teeth straightening procedures may be seen as expensive and invasive.

Effective cosmetic braces for adults

New developments in teeth straightening technology mean that there are several options that are both effective and affordable and lifestyle appropriate. Both the Inman Aligner and Fastbraces have benefits for adults. The Straight Teeth Suite offers a down-to-earth guide to selecting the best cosmetic braces for you.

Inman Aligner

While the Inman aligner is not new, its capacity to straighten crooked or badly aligned teeth makes it a suitable orthodontic appliance for adults. It is valued because it has several advantages of fixed metal braces; the coil spring and bar structure ensures that the teeth are move to a better position over an eight week period by small movements that push/pull the teeth into correct alignment.

Advantages

  • It is very swift, working in 6-16 weeks to straighten teeth
  • It is a single brace system that can also act as a retainer
  • It is easy to use, and can be removed in seconds
  • It only needs to be worn 16 hours a day and is remarkably discreet in use
  • It is a very cost-effective solution in comparison to other orthodontic techniques.

Disadvantages

Of course there is no perfect solution to straighten front teeth and the Inman aligner has some downsides too:

  • It only works for front teeth and can’t address overcrowded teeth
  • It is not totally transparent; a tiny metal bar resting against the front teeth can generally be seen
  • Inman Aligners affect the speech when first fitted, requiring a week or two to get used to the system

Fastbraces

The concept of Fastbraces is relatively new in the UK but has been used for over 20 year in the USA and has proven great clinical success. This novel orthodontic treatment works much more rapidly than other fixed braces, while the design is basically similar to the classic fixed brace but because the design of the fast brace moves both the root and the crown of the teeth simultaneously, treatment time is dramatically shorter.

Advantages

  • The triangular brackets allow for finer and more flexible wire so the brace is lightweight and unobtrusive
  • Fastbraces can treat a range of complex problems such as: misaligned teeth, crowding, spaces between teeth.
  • This type of fixed braces is very quick and efficient and allows completion of treatments within 3 to 10 months.

Disadvantages

  • The cost of Fastbraces is higher than some other orthodontic brace treatments like the Inman Aligner
  • They involve metal brackets fixed on your front teeth during the length of the treatment.

Choosing the right cosmetic brace for your teeth

Both options will straighten teeth, giving a happy, healthy smile, and The Straight Teeth Suite, Nottingham offers a free consultation appointment to help you explore which is best for you.

Have you ever wanted to have one a perfect smile? But is your reality that of crooked teeth or a crowded, misaligned smile? Do you think there’s no help?

Not only is there help for adults with crowded or overlapping teeth but it may be necessary for good health. While most adults have cosmetic concerns with their teeth, the health concerns can be important: overlapping teeth are harder to clean, leading to a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease, whilst teeth that don’t meet properly when the mouth is closed – called malocclusion – can lead to difficulties in chewing or swallowing. Poor tooth alignment can also contribute to difficulties in pronunciation and even put strain on the chewing muscles causing stress and eventually, facial pain.

There’s no doubt that it’s best to start orthodontic treatment for poorly aligned teeth or crowded smiles in childhood. At this age, simple braces with wires and rubber bands serve to move the teeth and correct their alignment.

Increasingly, adults are discovering that specialist orthodontic treatment has excellent results. In fact the American Association of Orthodontists recently reported that one in five orthodontic patients is eighteen or over. Which is good news, because there’s no age limit on having healthier, straighter teeth. There is a bit of bad news though, as we age our jawbone toughens so the teeth move more slowly so effective treatment can take longer. At Straight Teeth Suite Nottingham, we specialise in helping adults achieve the smile of their dreams.

Traditional braces

  1. The traditional metal braces with an arch-wire are held in place by elastic bands which gradually shift the teeth into better positions.

  2. Ceramic braces are tooth coloured that attach to the teeth’s outer surface and are usually recommended for upper front teeth.

  3. Lingual braces fit to the back surfaces of the teeth rather than the front, working in the same way as classic metal braces, and are undetectable.

All four of these treatment systems require a year to two years of treatment and often extraction.

Adult braces

For adults, cosmetic orthodontics may be a more viable proposition. This form of dental treatment uses the latest technology to reposition teeth swiftly and safely. Because it focuses on the teeth that show when smiling, there is no need for every tooth in the mouth to be realigned. Wires made from nickel titanium alloy deliver a fast and effective treatment that is also comfortable. This treatment system is often called Short Term Orthodontics and it doesn’t require tooth extractions, but it can’t correct the whole bite.

Cosmetic orthodontic systems – shorter period to a great smile

  • Six Month Braces use technology to move teeth quickly and safely with clear adult braces that improve the teeth that are revealed when smiling.
  • Accelerated Removable Braces are specifically designed to straighten the four front teeth and have particular effectiveness when teeth which have already been straightened begin to move again.
  • Invisible Braces are the most aesthetically pleasing, straightening the teeth with invisible aligners which can be removed to eat or when brushing the teeth.

Regardless of age, crooked teeth needn’t stop you smiling, nor cause other dental problems, just call us today and let us help you get the straight teeth you’ve always wanted.

Affordable braces for teenagers in the Midlands

Posted on: March 17th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

You see them first thing in the morning and last thing at night, every time you check the mirror, so it’s no wonder that we all want healthy beaming smiles and getting dental braces during childhood or teenage years helps achieve exactly that. There are various reasons people choose braces during their younger years but making the right choice early on, for you or your child, can lead to many benefits including appearance, comfort, strength and health, and similarly there are numerous aspects to the process.

Orthodontists can seem scary places for children but the modern reality is the complete opposite. Whatever the age group dental braces, in essence, are designed to aid an orthodontist in their primary aim of correcting various abnormal bites, known as malocclusions. Nothing more and nothing less. The specific type of braces needed for each patient varies in relation to the type of malocclusion present, which can include overbites, crowded teeth and gapped teeth, and can also change with the severity of each condition. The variety of scenarios present can be confusing but choosing the best and most affordable dental option for your son or daughter is easily achievable.

The process involved is one of patience and pressure. The latter is a factor as dental braces gradually apply pressure to teeth moving them slowly into correct positions as the weeks and months go by. These successful results are achieved using archwire, ligature ties and tiny brackets which are glued onto the front of each separate tooth. Although each child is different these metal braces are a particularly popular choice. Gone are the days when teenagers had to be embarrassed by large metallic braces. The metal braces now on offer are considered reasonably priced, the most traditional type of braces on the market and the ligature ties, a form of rubber band, used in metal braces come in variety of colours providing kids with the fun option of choosing their favourite.

Patience is the other defining factor as, no matter what type of dental braces you choose, an orthodontic treatment plan will always consist of three distinct stages: pretreatment, active treatment and retention. Although the journey can be long and trying, for any child, the Straight Teeth Suite offers experience and excellence in all stages. Pretreatment involves a diagnosis of your situation and what is needed to correct the problem. Active treatment is simply the term used to define your time wearing the braces selected. In some cases this can last up to 24 months but the timeframe varies patient to patient and child may need less time than adults. Retention is the final stage, when your braces come off, to ensure your teeth not to move back and stay straight.

Despite the combination of pressure, patience and increasingly successful new technologies involved the process still hinges on the experience and technique of the orthodontist treating your child. The Straight Teeth Suite understands this fact and bases all its treatment around the expertise of its orthodontists. Smaller, less noticeable, brackets are of course advantageous for children and teenagers but the reality is that your orthodontist is still the most important variable as they control the entire procedure from start to finish. This comfortable, professional atmosphere means children get the best dental care at the various suites located in Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough.

There are many factors and variables for you and your children to consider when deciding on braces and orthodontic treatment but the one consistent is that the process will only be a success with the expertise and guidance of a fully qualified dentist or orthodontist. Initial fears will always subside and investing in straight teeth is something that continues to reward as the years go by. Wearing metal braces can be a challenge but it’s worth both the effort and patience. Before you know it you’ll see your child’s smile beaming even brighter than before!

If you would like more information on children’s dental plans, orthodontic treatment or dental braces we welcome all emails via: hello@straightteethsuite.co.uk or you can call today for a free consultation on the following number: 0115 832 0204

Adult Orthodontics – A Fabulous Smile in Six Months!

Posted on: March 12th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

The perfect smile is within reach! In just six months, with expert advice and the most advanced solutions available in the world of orthodontics, you could have the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Unlike traditional orthodontics, cosmetic adult orthodontic are discreet and eminently affordable. In addition, cosmetic braces can achieve your perfect smile without invasive extractions or other substantial dental work.

Why The Straight Teeth Suite is different

There are three reasons that we offer solutions that are a cut above the rest.

Our Founder
Dr Raha Sepehrara, who founded and is Clinical Director of the Dental Suite and Straight Teeth Suite, is a pioneer in the field of adult orthodontics in the UK. She has Master Level status in the provision of six-month braces for which she travelled to the USA, was one of the first dentists in the UK to achieve the Master Damon Certificate, and just as much of a pioneer in offering the Inman Aligner. Her depth and quality of experience, across two continents and now covering hundreds of successful consultations, gives her unparalleled experience in identifying the best treatment plan for each individual.

Our treatment options
We offer a range of options so there’s always one to suit your circumstances and your budget. We place our expertise at your service so that you can explore the best adult orthodontic treatment to give you the appearance you’ve always wanted.

In addition to their speed, cosmetic braces offer cost-effective results – their phenomenal results might suggest extra cost, but those systems can actually be cheaper than some of the traditional treatments on offer.

Our brand new website
On our new website www.straightteethsuite.co.uk we have created a Straight Teeth 101 section where we have answered the most common questions people have about the different types of braces we offer; like: How often I have to see the dentist once I begin the treatment? How long will the treatment take? How much will it cost? What payment options are available? Is the treatment painful? What should I do in case of loss or damage of the braces?

The First Step to a Perfect Smile

Whether you begin by asking for a copy of our free guide to straight teeth in six months (text STRAIGHT to 44 115 82 49 841) or want to find out if you are suitable for one of our ground-breaking treatments (via a free consultation at our Leicester, Nottingham or Loughborough practices by calling 0115 824 9855) the route to straighter teeth, a healthy smile and glowing confidence is simple. We look forward to hearing from you, and starting you on the road to the smile of your dreams.

Top 5 Foods You Must Avoid While Wearing Braces

Posted on: March 6th, 2014 by freshadmin No Comments

If I am to be granted a wish, I’ll wish for a bountiful dinner where I can eat all the food in the world in just one plate – Who doesn’t love to eat? (I know there are a very few exceptions) Well, eating everything while wearing braces is a different story though.

There are some limitations on food for people wearing braces. The reason is the purpose itself. We wear braces to correct our teeth, make it straight and look beautiful. This will only be possible if we will follow our orthodontists’ instruction and one of it is to avoid foods that can break your wires and loosen your bands. I prepared a guide below to help you prepare your menu, enjoy!

A no – no to:

  • Hard, crunchy and sticky foods – Examples are hard meat, bubble gum, apples and junk foods. These foods will not only give you additional tons of fats but will give you undesirable pain within the mouth area as well. These foods will give pressure as you bite them to pieces, once the gums and teeth are forced it may cause misalignments (which we are trying to correct in the first place), mild bleeding and worst your brackets might just come off. Especially if you are on your first week wearing braces, better go with soft foods to lessen the pain and discomfort while eating.
  • Sweet foods – Tooth decay is a common dilemma for a sweet tooth but for those who wears braces, sweet foods such as candies and gummy bears eats up calcium in your teeth, it will feed bacteria in your mouth and will just create plaques. Avoid chewing gums as well, specifically bubble gum. Say goodbye to Ice cream, chocolates and other foods high in sugar in the meantime as it gives permanent stains and bruises to your teeth and braces. These are the biggest NO – NO if you’re wearing invisalign and ceramic braces.
  • Sodas – Though we don’t actually chew or bite this liquid drinks, its sugar and chemical content are enough to damage not just out braces but also our gums and teeth. The chemicals leave stains that a single brushing can’t do. Aside from this sodas are not also good for the health, limit it to 1 can per day to save for recreational activities – movie marathon, anyone?
  • Bad habit foods – Biting your finger nails, chewing pens and pencils, Kick that bad habit of yours! It’s nasty at the same time you can get and spread out bacteria all over! Cost of teeth braces is not something we can laugh about and so is your health. It’s priceless. Pens and pencils hold almost 70% of the bacteria you gather each day using your hands. Just imagine the germs and bacteria crawling up to your mouth and live on your braces?? While they decided to live on your braces, they decided to make your finger nails their school bus.
  • Ice – Yes, when comes to braces ice is not an innocent friend. When used not-so-carefully, eating ice can cause serious injuries on the gums and enamel. Some uses it to numb pain but it will not help all the time and will just make the pain worse after few minutes.

For any questions and free consultation, you may call us at the number above and we will arrange a free consultation for you.