Six Month Smiles - Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment

Discreet teeth straightening options in Greenwich

If you asked most people to describe dental braces, they would probably say that they were very visible and looked ugly and uncomfortable.

Some of this opinion may well be based on older types of braces and even the metal ones are more comfortable these days. Despite this though, many people simply refuse to have their teeth straightened because they don’t want to be seen wearing these very visible braces.

For patients of the Confidental Clinic, we are pleased to be able to offer more discrete ways of straightening teeth. We have covered Invisalign orthodontics in previous blogs including this one. This method is generally used where a significant number of teeth need adjusting for bite purposes rather than just the front ones for people who want a more attractive smile.

Where cosmetic improvement is needed, the Six Month Smiles system is one of the most commonly used. The ‘six months’ represents an average of the time taken to achieve its aims and our dentist will be able to give you a more accurate idea of how long you would need to wear them, following your initial consultation.

What is it?

Six Month Smiles is a fixed cosmetic orthodontic appliance that is worn in the mouth and used to straighten out crooked and uneven teeth. Unlike some types of orthodontic systems, it is used for relatively minor adjustments of the visible front teeth where an aesthetic improvement is required. Although it is largely based on the traditional dental braces system; rather than the trays that are used with Invisalign, it uses clear plastic for the brackets and the wiring is made from a tooth coloured material. This renders it much less visible than traditional wire braces enabling people to go about their daily lives without worrying too much about people noticing their braces.

It is especially useful in cases where teeth have overlapped and for some cases of overcrowding.

Is it faster acting than traditional braces?

The Six Month Smiles system often works faster than traditional braces largely because it focuses solely on the front teeth. These are easier to reposition than the rear teeth and can therefore be straightened in much less than the year or two often required where rear teeth need adjusting as well.

In addition to this, the orthodontics used have been improved over time through technological changes which help to make them more effective, faster working and add a better level of comfort than older types.

Are they expensive?

You will be given a quote for your treatment following your initial consultation. Generally speaking though, this method is more affordable than those orthodontics where more time is required to achieve its aims. In addition to this, your handy Greenwich dental clinic offers a range of finance plans that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment over an extended period of time, enabling more people to receive this popular treatment.

Patient expectations

People sometimes see, for example, a TV celebrity who has a perfect smile and who may have mentioned cosmetic dentistry in an interview. This may encourage others to follow expecting a similar result. It is important that patients bear in mind that some of these people may have already had an almost perfect smile, or where they haven’t, have paid possibly many thousands of pounds to achieve it.

We can’t promise that you will have a 100% perfect smile but we can promise that we will be honest about what you should expect from a treatment. Of course, we will do everything that we can to help you achieve your best possible smile and you should certainly expect to see significant improvements. But above all, we will be totally transparent and this is why we offer a ‘no commitment’ initial consultation to help you decide whether to have a treatment or not.

There is little doubt that an even smile is more attractive than a crooked one, and also helps to keep your teeth healthier by reducing the risk of food or bacteria becoming trapped in tight spaces where even floss can’t reach. For those who want the maximum benefit from this treatment, you may also wish to consider having your teeth whitened after its completion to really highlight your new attractive smile.

If you would like more information about the Six Month Smiles or Invisalign systems, including payment options, we are always happy to discuss this with you by offering a free no obligation initial consultation. To arrange yours, please call the Confidental Clinic in Greenwich on 020 8858 1422.