An adult’s guide to clear braces

For many, the word ‘braces’ drudges up memories of awkward teenage years wearing traditional, metal orthodontic braces and often these memories make some adults cringe when they hear that they need braces by their dentist. Thankfully, the stigma of braces no longer applies, and more and more adults are opting for modern, orthodontic treatment.

One of the main reasons for this are the advances made in the field in the past couple of decades and the variety of more discreet options available to patients. Alongside metal braces, we offer lingual braces which are completely hidden and fixed to the back of your teeth, clear ceramic braces, which are also fixed but less obvious, and Invisalign clear aligners, one of our most popular orthodontic treatments.

How does Invisalign work?

The Invisalign treatment consists of a series of clear, comfortable aligners that are made from thin, flexible plastic, a patented material called SmartTrack, that was created exclusively for Invisalign.

The clear aligners are custom made for you and sit over your teeth to gently move them into their new position, gradually with each aligner you wear.

Our dentists, Dr Anh Lam and Dr Pratik Sharma, will initially assess your case and scan your mouth using a state-of-the-art 3D scanner. Using advanced technology, a set of aligners will be made for you and the number of aligners and length of treatment time varies from person to person. To make sure your teeth are moving correctly, we monitor your progress and have regular appointments with you.

The treatment is suitable for people who have crowding, spacing between teeth or mild to moderate misalignment issues.

Why consider clear braces as an adult?

The most obvious reason is to have a straight smile. Studies have shown that 1 in 10 adults who have undergone teeth-straightening treatment felt that having straighter teeth had a huge impact on their self-confidence.

No lifestyle change

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign fits into your lifestyle. As they are extremely discreet you can go about your day as normal, unhindered by worry over how your braces look as most people won’t even notice your aligners.

Secondly, as Invisalign aligners are removable, ​there are absolutely no restrictions on what you can eat. Simply pop them out before indulging in your favourite foods. You can also remove them for any special occasions like a wedding, date or job interview. Just remember to wear them for 20-22 hours a day to get the best results and to prevent your teeth from reverting.

Improve your oral care

It’s not just about a pretty smile, although that does help. A straight smile can have a significant impact on your oral health as it’s easier to brush and floss aligned teeth. Misaligned teeth are harder to clean thoroughly as the hard-to-reach areas are more likely to have plaque and tartar build up. This in turn increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay or even tooth loss.

Occasionally, crooked teeth can also cause TMJ, which can lead to symptoms like headaches, jaw pain and jaw clicking. Therefore, straightening your teeth can help you avoid suffering with TMJ in the future.