What is Six Month Smiles?

Adult teeth straightening is becoming more and more popular nowadays as more people are reaching out for the smile they really want in their adult years. There is a whole host of information about different teeth straightening options for adults. We are focusing on Six Month Smiles, to explore the benefits of this treatment.

What is Six Month Smiles?
Six Month Smiles is a clear brace system. It uses clear brackets and tooth-coloured wires to gently move the teeth into position. The treatment is often referred to as ‘short-term orthodontics’; this is because it is usually used to treat the front teeth, rather than the entire teeth, within a short six-month time frame, hence the name.

What are the Pros and Cons?
One of the advantages of Six Month Smiles is that they are less noticeable than traditional braces. Also, the treatment time is shorter than many other teeth-straightening options.

The teeth are moved gently into place, so there is little pain or discomfort associated with the treatment, and there is a low risk of any root damage.

This treatment focuses on how your teeth will look, rather than the position of your bite, so if your bite needs correcting, then another treatment may be preferable.

What does the treatment involve?
Your orthodontist will give you a consultation and assess whether your teeth can be repositioned to where you would like them. If the treatment can be a success, they will formulate a treatment plan and will take impressions of your teeth so that the braces can fit perfectly.

Tailor-made brackets and wires are then produced at the Six Month Smiles laboratory using models, which are made from the patient’s teeth impressions. The bracket specialists position the brackets on the teeth model in the correct place where the desired orthodontic result will be achieved.

The custom-made brackets and appropriate tooth-coloured wires are sent back to the surgery, where they are attached to the teeth with a dental adhesive and orthodontic wires.

Once fitted, the patient needs to attend the surgery every four weeks to see how the teeth are moving and for any minor adjustments.

Aftercare
You will need to wear a retainer after Six Month Smiles. Retainers are worn after all tooth-straightening systems. Sometimes people have a fixed retainer bonded to the back of their teeth or opt for a removable retainer, which can be worn several times a week at night to stop the teeth from moving back after treatment.