Six Month Smiles – Orthodontic Treatments in Just Six Months
What is a Six Month Smiles treatment?
The Six Month Smiles treatment is a new and revolutionary orthodontic treatment method which was pioneered in the States and is now being performed in the UK. Many people are put off from having orthodontic work to straighten their teeth as they think they will have to wear visible braces for between two and three years. Today however, thanks to Six Month Smiles you can have the straight teeth you always dreamed of within 6 months.
What can the treatment be used for?
The Six Month Smiles treatment can be used to correct many orthodontic problems including –
Crowding –the teeth are close together giving them a crowded appearance
Overbite – the front teeth overlap considerably
Spacing – there are large, unsightly gaps between the teeth
Overjet – the front teeth jut out
Underbite- the lower teeth protrude
Openbite – when you bite your teeth together they will not touch
Misplaced Midline – the middle lines of both sets of teeth aren’t in alignment with each other
Crossbite – the teeth do not bite on the right side of each other
As you can see there are many orthodontic problems that can be corrected by following the Six Month Smile treatment.
What does the treatment involve?
As usual with any type of orthodontic treatment when you first go to your dentist he will examine your teeth and smile, take photographs, x-rays then will then discuss your needs with you. At this time your dentist will tell you if the Six Month Smiles treatment is the right option for you. In addition you will also find out the estimated length of your treatment and the cost of treatment.
On your next visit your unique Six Month Smiles Braces will be fitted. These are special wires and white brackets which will come straight from the 6 Months Smiles lab in the US.
Once your 6 Month Smiles Braces have been fitted you should expect to return to your dentist approximately every four to five weeks for shorter appointments. During these 10 to fifteen minute sessions your braces will be adjusted – this will continue until you finish your treatment.
Is the treatment painful?
Any orthodontic treatment involves a little discomfort and Six Month Smiles is no different, particularly when you first begin your treatment. You will however become used to it, and as Six Month Smiles braces use a much lower force than equivalent treatments to move the teeth this discomfort is minimal. As Six Month Smiles is focused on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth whilst still using orthodontic techniques less of your teeth have to be moved. If you do feel any discomfort it can be advisable to take a low strength pain killer such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for the few days following an appointment.
Advantages of Six Month Smiles
Treatment time is much shorter than other equivalent techniques, sometimes by up to 75\%
As teeth are moved slowly any discomfort you may feel is minimal.
The cost of treatment is approximately half of what you would expect to pay for Invisalign or train track braces.
As the wires are small and tooth coloured they are not as visible as train track braces
If you want a ‘last minute’ perfect smile for an upcoming event in six or so months time you can use Six Month Smiles to achieve this.
Disadvantages of Six Month Smiles
Some people do not like the idea of having to wear a retainer after treatment.
Wires are not totally invisible.
Some treatments may take slightly longer than six months.
Will Six Month Smiles work for me?
As the treatment has been used for some years in the US with phenomenal results for hundreds of patients, there is no reason why patients in the UK shouldn’t be able to benefit from it either. This amazing new treatment can be the answer that you are looking for if you want to look your best for a special occasion such as a wedding or special holiday. However if you are still in doubt as to your suitability for the treatment your dentist will be able to advise you of this on your very first visit.
How can Six Month Smiles work so quickly – don’t braces normally have to be place for two – three years?
The Six Month Smiles treatment incorporates the very latest in orthodontic technology and methods which will reposition your teeth quickly and safely. As the treatment’s main focus is the teeth shown during a smile you are not waiting for all the teeth in your mouth to be moved. To achieve this specially designed wires made from nickel titanium are used to ensure that the treatment is fast and effective.
Will the wires be visible giving me a ‘Train Track’ appearance with Six Month Smiles?
This is a worry that many people have, but as the Six Month Smiles treatment uses wires and braces which are tooth coloured they can only be seen in close quarters. They will not give you the appearance of ‘train track’ braces but they are more apparent than clear braces, such as Invisalign braces. However as the treatment is completed in around 6 months it is much faster than Invisalign.
Will the 6 Month Braces alter my speech?
Patients will only find that their speech is altered during the initial week or so after the initial fitting after which they become used to the braces and their speech returns to normal. You might also find that you salivate at first but this too will settle quickly.
Will I have to wear a retainer for a period of time after my treatment?
As your teeth will naturally want to return to their pre-brace positions it is wise to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment involving braces. Using a retainer will prevent the teeth relapsing into their previous positions and your dentist will tell you which type of retainer is best for you. This will usually come in the form of a removable night time retainer or you could have a permanent retainer fitted which can be easily bonded to the back of the teeth and will not show.
How much will the 6 Month Braces cost me?
As with any type of orthodontic treatment the cost of 6 Month Smiles will vary between dental practises but you should typically expect to pay less than you would for Invisalign or train track type braces.
