The benefits of braces in Colchester

The benefits of braces in Colchester

We’ve all seen traditional braces in action – the conspicuous metal train tracks most often sported by teenagers. While it may be obvious to all that a patient is wearing this type of braces, do we know why and what’s going on beneath the surface?

As well as the aesthetic benefits, teeth straightening is good for oral health: it helps make biting, chewing and cleaning between the teeth easier. Untreated, misaligned teeth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, tooth and tooth enamel loss, jaw problems and can also affect speech.

And you may be surprised to learn that it’s possible to get all these benefits from clear braces in Colchester – no one need know you are having treatment.

Why get braces?

At Hello Dental, we use braces to correct crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth.

There are many reasons why you may need to wear braces in Colchester. Teeth can just grow out of alignment – genetics plays a big part in this. Your mouth can be too small to fit all your teeth and diet can also contribute.

What are the options?

It is worth researching the different types of treatment on offer. Braces in Colchester have advanced significantly in the last 25 years and there is a range of options available. At Hello Dental, we offer two systems: Fastbraces and Smilealign.

Fastbraces can straighten teeth in as little as three months – though treatment may take a year or more, depending on the severity of your case. It is a bracket and wire system, such as those used by traditional braces, but because it uses an elbow-shaped bracket rather than a square one, it can move the tooth root and crown at the same time, hence the quicker treatment times.

Smilealign is a different kind of braces system altogether. There are no brackets and wires – Smilealign uses pairs of clear aligner trays (like thin mouth guards) to nudge the teeth into position. They are custom-made for each patient and 3D-printed to ensure pin point accuracy.

After the teeth have moved to their new position, you will need to wear a retainer for up to a year to make sure they don’t drift back to their old state.