Our case of the month for June is a short term orthodontic treatment (STO) to correct the upper teeth. STO has become extremely popular as a cosmetic dental option due to the non-invasive approach and the speed of treatment. In the past, traditional cosmetic dental treatments involved cutting down the teeth for veneers or crowns. Orthodontic treatment would often take 18-24 months, However, although there is a still a place for these treatments, there are alternative options. Please take a look at our before and after photos:
 

Our case of the month for April is an unbelievable smile makeover using a fixed metal brace. Our patient wanted to be able to smile for her wedding photographs and we were given a time span of just 8 months! Now the level of tooth crowding was quite severe and we were unsure whether the treatment could be completed in time. However, we did not need to worry. The treatment was complete ahead of schedule. We used high tec metal brackets which have minimal friction and allow quick alignment of rotated, crooked, displaced teeth. Just take a look at the before and after photos:
 

After fitting your orthodontic appliance (brace), it is important to follow some simple but important instructions. We have also provided some useful information and advice regarding after care.
 

TOOTHBRUSHING AND ORAL HYGIENE

Oral hygiene is critical to the success of treatment. Please brush normally 2-3 times a day using a manual or electric toothbrush. It will be very difficult to floss your teeth but interdental brushes can still be used, which are very effective. The use of a mouthwash is advised on a regular basis, ideally containing fluoride. The latest developments in interdental hygiene include devices such as the Airfloss by Philips and Waterpik units. These are excellent adjunctive techniques and highly recommended for the hard to reach areas. They use a combination of pressure, air and water (or mouthwash) to flush debris away from the contact areas of the teeth.
 

PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY

Adhering to a sound oral hygiene regime coupled with the use of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash will generally prevent any decay around the brace. However, you should also carefully monitor sugar intake throughout the day. High frequency of sugar throughout the day will increase the risk of tooth decay considerably especially when wearing braces. Now is the time to really cut down on those sugary snacks and drinks! We strongly advise using MI plus paste by GC. This is excellent at reversing early decay within the tooth enamel and will help to prevent decay or dimineralisation around the orthodontic brackets. Simply rub a small amount of the paste around the brace with your finger and tongue and discard the excess. Then leave overnight, do NOT rinse with water or mouthwash afterwards.
 

EATING 

It is important to adopt a soft diet for the first few weeks. This is especially important with lingual braces. Foods to avoid are:
 

• Hard crunchy foods such as crusty bread
• Sticky foods such as toffees
• Chewy meats
• Unpitted olives and stone fruits

If you have a tooth coloured brace, please avoid staining foods which could discolour the temporary elastics. These include:
 

• Curries
• Rich tomato based sauces with oil
• Beetroot
• Effervescent table drinks such as vitamin supplements and Berroca

LIP OR TONGUE IRRITATION

Braces can cause irritation to the tongue or lip after fitting. This will settle once you have become accustomed to the appliance. In the meantime, orthodontic wax or putty placed over the brackets can help to provide some temporary relief. We will provide this for you.
 

PAIN RELIEF

Due to the modern technology, there is much reduced pain compared to systems of the past. However, there may be some intermittent pain. Regular pain relief such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or a combination of both should be effective. If there is prolonged severe pain, please contact us. Of course, the most important aspect is that dental braces are temporary! Time will fly by and your teeth will be straight before you know it!

The only truly invisible dental brace is one which sits on the inside of your teeth. Lingual is Latin for 'towards the tongue' hence the name lingual brace.

This is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic brace. Kate Middleton even had her teeth straightened with lingual braces before the big day and Cheryl Cole wore lingual braces whilst judging on the X factor. However, lingual braces are not just for celebrities and A list stars, the treatment is available for all who wish to improve their smile discreetly. The brace can be attached to 6 or more of teeth. It depends on the amount of straightening required which is determined largely by an innovative analysis which can show us a predicted end result. A very popular technique for mild to moderate crowding cases is called 'Social 6'. This is because the brace is only applied to the front 6 teeth. This technique can be excellent for relapse after previous orthodontic treatment, where the teeth have started to drift out of position. Our case study below highlights such a case.