Procedure

6 month smiles sound like the ideal solution to dental problems that need fixing quickly; they can straighten teeth in a short period of time, with minimal invasive treatment – who wouldn’t want a perfect smile in six months? Lots of patients who opt for a 6 month smile are desperate to have a more beautiful smile in time for a wedding, graduation or some other life changing event that is going to be recorded for posterity – they don’t want they only thing they see in photos to be their crooked grin. The Pearl Dental Clinic could offer you this simple, effective course of orthodontics today, give them a call and talk to a member of the team about straightening your smile.

What does the 6 month smile treatment involve?

This revolutionary system begins with a first assessment, where your dentist will photograph, x-ray, and examine your teeth from every angle, in order to get a full picture of what kind of treatment is needed. After a thorough inspection, your dentist will be able to tell you if the 6 month smile system is suitable for you – alternative methods may be prescribed for patients with severe misalignment. You will then have the chance to ask any questions about the treatment or voice any concerns, your dentist should outline what to expect if you chose to go ahead, as well as giving you an idea of the cost and the length of treatment, which can sometimes vary from patient to patient. Even if it takes a little longer than six months, it’s still a much fast technique than most traditional orthodontics.

During the initial consultation, an impression of your teeth will be taken and a plan of action drawn up for your subsequent appointments. It may be the case that your dentist is ready to place the braces immediately, and then you can begin treatment within hours of entering the clinic. Other surgeons might prefer more preparation time and will chose to fit your braces at a later date. Either way, it won’t be long before your 6 month smile treatment is under way.

The braces consist of numerous small, white brackets which are fixed to the teeth with wires, they sound like metal ‘train track’ style braces, and they essentially work along the same principles, but they are much more discreet, the tooth coloured brackets are barely noticeable when fixed in place. They are manufactured at the 6 month smile laboratory in the United States, if they come from anywhere else they can’t claim to be genuine 6 month smile products, and they will undoubtedly perform at a lower level.

After a thorough clean, the dentist can begin to cement the brackets in place. Each individual bracket will be fixed with heavy duty dental glue, one bracket for every tooth that requires attention. Then, when all the brackets are secured and the glue has dried to a sufficient degree, the wire is attached, connecting all the brackets together and completing the process. The nickel-plated titanium wire is tooth-coloured so you will be able to wear it without anyone noticing.

What is the follow up treatment for 6 month smiles?

When your brace has been fitted, it’s vital that you attend your dental appointments at regular intervals after treatment begins. Generally, the dentist will need to see you once every month or so for a quick check-up, they may also make some adjustments to get the optimum results from your braces.

Using the latest technology and pioneering dental techniques, 6 month smiles will be able to gently reposition your teeth in a fraction of the time it takes metal braces. You should mention any problems or concerns when you arrive at the surgery, your dentist will adjust your braces and make them as comfortable as possible before you go home. Because the brackets are smaller and more discreet, they don’t tend to cause as much irritation as ‘train track’ braces.

Some patients have difficulty cleaning around metal components in the mouth, but 6 month smile appliances are smaller in size and don’t catch as much food debris, and they also tend to be focused on the front teeth that show when smiling, not the back teeth which are harder to clean. It might be worthwhile considering a cleaning treatment during and after the period of wearing the braces; a professional will clean more effectively and leave your teeth polished and fresh.

After the period of treatment is complete, you may be required to wear a retainer for a few months; this is because the teeth often try to move back to their original positioning. A strong plastic retainer is usually worn at night to keep the changes in place. Your dentist might provide you with one to wear while you sleep, or they may fit a permanent one to the back of the teeth if there is an increased risk of movement. A permanent retainer consists of a small wire that is glued to the teeth which have been repositioned; because it’s on the back of them no one will be able to see it or will know that it’s there unless you tell them. Some dentists maintain that a permanent retainer is more useful at providing long term retention, because the patient can’t remove it or lose it, and they are very seldom broken. Removable retainers are quite durable, but aren’t constantly holding the teeth in place, so some movement is inevitable.