Teeth Straightening

Approximately 30% of adults in the UK have some form of malocclusion where teeth are misaligned sufficiently that they would benefit from teeth straightening treatments. Covering issues including crossbite, overbite, underbite, open bite, crowding and spacing, teeth straightening can help improve oral health, fixing your bite and improving jaw pain, making your speech clearer, and giving you a straight smile with the confidence that goes with it.

Let’s Discuss Teeth Straightening

Contact the Smile White team today to discuss fixing your crooked teeth with clear aligners.

Types of Teeth Straightening Treatments

Teeth straightening treatments have come a long way over the past 100 years. New innovations have done away with the need for wires, hooks and springs which have been replaced by removable clear aligners that are most cost effective, convenient and aesthetically pleasing. Below we have outlined some of the many teeth straightening treatments available to you.

Orthodontic Braces

Metal Braces

Fixed metal braces are the only type of braces available for free to children under 18 on the NHS. They are an effective but low cost, inconvenient, unsightly and labour intensive way of teeth straightening treatments. Metal braces consist of metal brackets attached to teeth. These brackets hold a wire that is used to pull teeth into alignment. Various additional elements can be added to this brace to make them more effective. This can include headgear (external tension), springs, hooks and bands.

Metal braces take between 6-12 months to straighten teeth, requiring multiple visits to your orthodontist to reset your braces. You will need to limit your diet avoiding hard, crunchy and sticky foods.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces are identical to fixed metal braces except for the brackets which are made from a less visible ceramic. This makes ceramic braces slightly more aesthetically pleasing. To further improve the appearance of ceramic braces, ask about a frosted wire.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces provide a great aesthetic way to straighten your teeth with a down-side of them being more uncomfortable to wear and more costly. Lingual braces move the wires, brackets etc to the inside of your teeth. This means they cannot be seen when you smile. When you first have lingual braces, you will experience some mild discomfort as your tongue becomes used to their presence.

Removable Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a more modern teeth straightening treatment. These removable clear plastic retainers are modelled to incrementally move your teeth into a more aligned position. Aligners are almost invisible making them an aesthetically pleasing choice for many people. Aligners are best suited to mild and moderate alignment issues.

Wear your aligners for 22 hours a day, remove when needed to socialise, eat, talk, swim or exercise to get the best result. Swap your aligners every 2 weeks to move your treatment onto the next stage. With aligners you can continue to eat and drink what you like making them a great choice for people who want a teeth straightening treatment without it affecting your lifestyle.

Use Retainers After Braces & Aligners

When you have finished your teeth straightening treatment we recommend wearing a retainer for at least 12 months. This helps your teeth settle into your gums, allows the gums to heal and helps your teeth stay in place.

Teeth Straightening Alternatives

In addition to braces and aligners you may want to consider surgical treatments such as veneers or bonding. These techniques provide the effect of straighter teeth by overlaying a new surface to the front of your teeth. Veneers are pre-made hard fascia’s applied to the front of your teeth. Composite bonding is a modelled resin surface that is sculpted to correct any imperfections in your smile.

How Clear Aligners Work

Clear aligners put you in control of your teeth straightening treatment.

Clear Aligners Procedure

1. Visit a local approved dentist to discuss your treatment and have a 3D scan of your teeth. You can see a mock-up of how your new smile could look.
2. Your treatment plan is created, your teeth position modelled, and your aligners created.
3. Visit your dentist to have your aligners fitted, any questions answered, and your treatment plan discussed.
4. Continue your treatment at home, replacing your aligners for the next set every two weeks. Contact your orthodontist/dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment.
5. Once your treatment has finished wear a custom retainer to keep your teeth aligned.

It is important to care for your teeth and aligners during your treatment. Always rinse your aligner under clear water and brush your teeth before putting your aligners in.

How Long Should I Wear Clear Aligners?

Treatment length is dependant on how severe your case is.

• Mild: A mild teeth straightening case would consist of a small number of upper or lower teeth needing correction. Mild cases take between 4-6 months to see results.
• Moderate: A moderate teeth straightening case would consist of broader issues such as crowding or gaps across more teeth. Mild cases take between 6 and 12 months to see results.
• Severe: Severe tooth straightening cases tackle a wide range of issues across both upper and lower teeth. Severe cases can take several years to see a final result, however incremental progress can be seen after the first 4 months of treatment.

The Cost of Teeth Straightening in the UK

The cost of teeth straightening can vary significantly depending on the severity of your case and choice of treatment type. Below we have outlined the average price of each treatment.

• Clear Aligners: £1,300 - £5,500
• Metal Braces: £1,500 - £3,000
• Ceramic Braces: £2,000 - £5,500
• Lingual Braces: £2,000 - £10,000

Teeth Straightening on Finance

Many teeth straightening providers offer finance or payment plans to help you to spread the cost of your treatment. Speak to your provider for details.

Teeth Straightening Treatment Pros and Cons

Braces Vs Clear Aligners Vs Veneers and Bonding

Braces are a highly effective and affordable teeth straightening treatment however they have a poor aesthetic, limit the foods you can eat and require ongoing adjustment by your dentist making them less convenient.

Aligners are removable and discreet, being almost invisible when worn. They are affordable and effective, requiring fewer changes to your lifestyle. Aligners are arguably less effective for highly complex cases.

Veneers are a permanent solution giving the outward appearance of straight teeth however the teeth underneath can remain crooked. Veneers need replacing every 5-10 years and will limit your diet to softer foods.

Bonding is a semi-permanent tooth straightening treatment that gives the appearance of straight teeth however the teeth underneath can remain crooked. Bonding can be reversed but will limit your diet to softer foods while you have them.

Choosing the Right Treatment for You

There are many factors to consider when investigating tooth straightening treatments. These include:

• Severity of Misalignment: All braces and aligners can help treat a wide range of teeth straightening issues. Moderate and severe cases should avoid veneers and bonding as these are not suitable treatments for this issue.
• Age: Children under 18 years old can get metal braces for free on the NHS. Adults over 18 will have to seek private treatment elsewhere.
• Budget: The cost of lingual braces can be high, as a result you might consider less expensive, but just as effective treatments such as clear aligners or metal braces.
• Aesthetic: Metal and ceramic braces are not as aesthetically pleasing as clear aligners and lingual braces.
• Lifestyle and Discipline: Metal, ceramic and lingual braces require special care and can limit the types of food you can eat. Clear aligners are removable and more convenient for everyday life however require more discipline and care for treatments to progress at a good pace.

Alternative and Emerging Techniques

Mewing

Social media influencers are promoting mewing as a viable treatment for mild teeth alignment issues. Mewing uses your tongues position to temporarily affect your jaw line. There is no scientific proof that mewing can help straighten your teeth.

Contouring

Contouring AKA composite bonding uses mouldable resin to build up the front of your teeth giving the appearance of a straight white smile.