During this time, we’ve made a lot of progress. Thanks to investment in research and development, braces are more convenient and more effective than ever.
We can straighten a wide array of misalignments in less time using a choice of clear, removable and hidden braces.
Invisible braces
Not so long ago, you only had metal fixed braces to choose from. They’re an excellent way to straighten teeth and are still a popular choice today. However, not everyone is a fan of metal train tracks.
Thankfully, you can now opt for one of several discreet alternatives to metal braces. You can disguise your fixed braces with clear ceramic brackets or even hide your braces behind your teeth!
You can forgo fixed braces altogether and choose Invisalign clear aligners. They’re virtually invisible, and you can remove them for a few hours each day to eat and drink and clean your teeth.
Digital scanning
Before you start your treatment, you’ll reap the rewards of some recent orthodontic innovations. At your first consultation, we’ll use our digital iTero scanner to show you a 3D preview of your smile transformation.
The iTero scanner takes 6,000 images per second to create digital 3D models of your teeth and jaws. It’s incredibly accurate, and a welcome alternative to traditional alginate impressions, which could be messy and uncomfortable.
If you’re having Invisalign treatment, we’ll take more scans later to create a detailed 3D treatment plan. It will show you how each aligner will nudge your teeth towards your goal. We’ll use your scans to manufacture your aligners for an exceptional fit.
Ni-Ti wires
If you choose fixed braces, there have been some subtle but valuable improvements for you to enjoy. Modern archwires (the wires that connect your brackets and move your teeth) are typically made from nitinol – also known as Ni-Ti alloy or nickel-titanium.
Ni-Ti wires boast superelasticity and shape memory, which means the wires to return to their original shape when they’re heated up.
Your orthodontist will mould your archwires to fit around your teeth. The warmth of your mouth then activates the wires, which begin to straighten, aligning your smile in the process.
Nitinol wires move teeth efficiently and keep working for longer compared to stainless steel archwires. This can help to reduce the number of adjustments you’ll need during your treatment.
Remote monitoring
We include remote monitoring for every patient – it’s a fantastic way for us to oversee your progress and keep in touch between appointments.
Using the DentalMonitoring ScanBox and app, we’ll ask you to send us regular pictures of your teeth. We can make sure everything is on track, and if we spot anything that we need to discuss, we can bring forward your next appointment or arrange a virtual chat.
Face to face check-ups with the team are still essential, but with the help of DentalMonitoring, you’ll only visit us when you need to.
3D printed retainers
When we remove your braces, you’ll need to wear retainers to keep your teeth straight. Otherwise, your teeth could start to relapse and move back to their pre-treatment positions.
We include removable retainers and one year of aftercare for every patient. We 3D print our retainers in-house, so we can provide a fast turnaround and fit your retainers soon after your braces come off.
If you lose or break your retainers, we can print replacements quickly – before your teeth have a chance to move. If we have recent impressions of your teeth, we might not even need to take a new scan.
Start your transformation
To learn more about the latest ways we can straighten teeth, visit our specialist orthodontist Dr. Jackie Bracken for a no-obligation consultation.
