Fixed Braces
- I have wonky teeth
- My teeth are misaligned
- I need orthodontic treatment
Fixed braces are the most common type of orthodontic appliance. They can be used when a number of teeth need to be corrected, or when the treatment needs to be precise to prevent problems in the future.
Fixed braces are the most common type of orthodontic appliance. They can be used when a number of teeth need to be corrected, or when the treatment needs to be precise to prevent problems in the future.
Small precisely designed metal or ceramic buttons called brackets are stuck/bonded to each tooth. Sometimes metal rings called bands are also fitted around the back/molar teeth. The brackets are then connected to each other using a thin metal wire, called an archwire. The wire is held in place with small elastic rings called modules, or with very thin wires called ligatures. Modules come in a variety of colours to customise your brace. The wires are adjusted at regular intervals to straighten the teeth and correct the bite.
The various types of fixed brace can be seen below:
Modern brackets are quite small, and they cover a relatively smaller area of each tooth, making braces more attractive than they used to be. With fixed braces speech is unaffected and the flavour of food can be enjoyed fully. As the appliance cannot be removed, it acts full-time, and so it is very effective.
Fixed braces are usually made out of metal, so will be noticeable on the front of your teeth. Many private orthodontists now offer ceramic or clear plastic braces, although they are usually more expensive. Their use also depends on the particular problem and tooth position.
Adult metal braces can cost between £2,000 — £2,500 when fitted by a private dentist.
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Treatment Options
Damon Braces use friction-free technology to offer a faster, more pleasant tooth straightening experience by using a slide mechanism to hold the wire in place, enabling the teeth to move freely.
Fast Braces are a relatively new and innovative orthodontic treatment which begins by moving the root portion of the wonky or misaligned teeth, making the process dramatically quicker as the entire tooth is moving throughout the treatment.
Incognitoa braces are hidden on the inside surface of the teeth and as a result is a choice favoured by those that feel self-conscious about conventional braces. Incognito braces are custom-made to suit each individual and are typically made of cast-gold.
Lingual Braces are almost the same as fixed wire braces, but attached to the back surfaces of the teeth thus invisible from the front. Lingual braces are suited to those who want to straighten the teeth without the use of visible braces.
The Six-Month Smiles system can provide fast and efficient treatment for those that want quick results in correcting dental problems. The orthodontic treatment focuses on aligning the teeth that you see when you smile rather than the whole set of teeth.
Cfast is a simple, gentle, minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that corrects alignment issues with the top and bottom front six teeth often referred to as the 'social 6'. Cfast uses clear orthodontic brackets and tooth-colored nickel-titanium wires.
Ceramic braces are brackets fixed to the teeth which can either be made from transparent materials that allow the natural colour of the teeth to shine through, or produced in ceramics in shades similar to the natural colour of teeth.
Metal Fixed Braces, often referred to as 'Train Tracks' is the most common orthodontic solution and can be used to correct a large number of teeth or to target smaller, specific areas. Patients can choose between gold or silver colour metal fixed braces.
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Alternative Treatments
Removable braces (clear aligners) is, as the name suggests, different to a regular brace in that it is not affixed to the teeth and are typically worn by adults who would like straighter teeth but don't want the 'train track' fixed metal braces.
