Teeth straightening at Essex Family Dental
Straightening crooked or misaligned teeth can transform your smile, give you confidence and help you be the best version of you. If you’re dissatisfied with your smile, you’ll be pleased to know that straightening your teeth is not only extremely achievable and affordable but also brings very reliable results - whether your goal is to straighten wonky teeth, reduce overcrowding, remedy an incorrect bite or fix jaw misalignment.
What teeth straightening options are available?
Gone are the days when the only option available to straighten your teeth was unsightly metal ‘train-track’ braces. At Essex Family Dental we offer various clear aligner solutions such as Invisalign, Clear Correct and Smilers, as well as invisible / lingual braces that sit behind your teeth and more traditional orthodontic treatments too. Your dentist / orthodontist will examine your teeth and discuss the most suitable teeth straightening options for your specific treatment needs.
Clear aligners
Whilst they’re not completely invisible, they are much more discreet than some other orthodontic options. You’ll probably find that most people you meet won’t even notice you’re wearing them! Clear aligners are also more comfortable than traditional braces due to the way pressure is applied to the teeth and there is no restriction on what you can eat during your treatment (as long as you remove your aligners when eating and drinking).
Traditional orthodontics
The final results are also more dramatic, achieving an even straighter smile than some other teeth straightening options. Some may feel, however, that the aesthetics of braces aren’t appealing, but with transparent and invisible braces available, concerns about the appearance of braces never need be an issue.
How do clear aligners work?
After giving you a general check-up and x-ray to ensure your teeth and gum health, your dentist will take a digital impression of your teeth using our state of the art digital scanner and send it off to the Invisalign, Clear Correct or Smilers lab to create a 3D digital representation of what your smile will look like once your treatment has been completed.
Once treatment is confirmed, your dentist will then arrange for your specialised aligners to be made by your specified clear aligner provider. Depending on your treatment plan, you’ll replace your aligner every 1-2 weeks to enable your upper and lower teeth to straighten incrementally until your desired outcome is reached. Each aligner will need to be worn for the majority of the day and night - around 23 hours in total - only coming out when you eat, drink or need to clean them.
How long does it take to straighten teeth with clear aligners?
The total time required to straighten your teeth using clear aligners is specific to each patient as it depends on how much adjustment is required. Once your dentist has taken your impressions and sent them off to the labs, however, they’ll be able to give you a good indication of how much time is needed; in general, treatment can take anything from 3 - 18 months but, on average, usually lasts about 6 months. You’ll then come into our practice for a review after every 6 aligners (or approximately every 6-8 weeks) so that your dentist can check on your progress and ensure you’re happy with the movement of your teeth.
Where are clear aligners available?
Invisalign, Clear Correct and Smilers aligners are available at all of our Essex Family Dental practices across East London, Dagenham, Barking, Rainham, Hornchurch, Romford, and Havering.
How much do clear aligners cost?
Prices start at £15 per month for up to 60 months with 0% finance* payment options available.
How does traditional orthodontics work?
Traditional orthodontics usually involves the use of the metal braces that we’re all familiar with, however, the practice has developed a lot since braces were first invented back in the 1800s! Now, in addition to traditional metal braces made of medical grade stainless steel, invisible lingual braces that sit behind your teeth and clear ceramic braces are also available, giving you far more options than you may have realised.
For all brace types, your orthodontist will bond the braces to the surface of each individual tooth and then attach arch wires to the brackets. The tension from the arch wires applies enough continual pressure to gradually move the teeth into the desired position, resulting in a perfectly straight smile.
What traditional orthodontic options are available?
Traditional braces are made of medical grade stainless steel and attach to the front surface of your teeth.
Lingual braces are just like traditional braces, but as they sit behind your teeth they’re an ‘invisible’ option.
Clear ceramic braces sit on the front of your teeth like traditional braces, but are much more discreet due to their natural colour.
How long does it take?
Your orthodontist will usually take around 1-2 hours to install your braces to each arch, normally one arch each visit. After this, the whole treatment will typically take anything from 12 months to a few years to complete, depending on how extensive the needed adjustments are. You’ll also be required to return to our practices every 6-8 weeks for a check-up with your dentist.
Where is it available?
Traditional, lingual and clear ceramic braces are all available at our Mawney Road practice.
How much does it cost?
Prices start at £11 per month for up to 60 months with 0% finance* payment options available. Click here to book a free virtual consultation or, if you prefer, you can book a face-to-face consultation in-practice - you’ll be charged a £40 holding fee to book the consultation, but this will be refunded upon attendance of your appointment.
Have you thought about?
Enhancing your smile makeover with dental cosmetic treatments such as composite bonding, teeth whitening or a dental plan.
Composite bonding
If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect smile but don’t want to undergo any permanent procedures that involve removal of part of the tooth, then composite bonding might be the best solution to bring out the best in your smile. Composite bonding is a non-invasive tooth restoration treatment that changes the shape and colour of your teeth through the application of a tooth-coloured resin onto the tooth’s natural surface, whilst also protecting the integrity of your natural teeth.
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Dental plans
A dental plan makes it simple to stay on top of your oral health, even with a busy schedule. By planning routine care in advance, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy all year round with ease and confidence.
Teeth whitening
Teeth get stained over time, so teeth whitening is a good way to restore the natural whiteness that may have been dulled by red wine, tea or coffee. Our at-home whitening kits will give you reliable results quickly and will bring the brilliance back to your smile or, alternatively, you can opt for teeth whitening strips.
Frequently asked questions about teeth straightening
The sensations will differ depending on which teeth straightening option you choose, however, some discomfort is normal and should be expected. You’ll usually feel some tightness after your braces have been fitted or adjusted, or you’ll experience some pressure on your teeth for a couple of days after moving to a new aligner – this is because the teeth are moving. The good news is that the discomfort usually goes away quickly after each of these adjustments.
Yes! It’s never too late to straighten your teeth. You’ll likely find that the improvement to your smile will boost your confidence and make you feel happier about your appearance – no matter what age you are. Speak to our friendly team for advice on achieving your dental goals.
Braces for adults aren’t generally available on the NHS. However, the NHS does provide braces for children, but only for those with the most severe dental health issues and teeth misalignment, the assessment of which is based on a guide called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Unfortunately, even if your child is eligible, the waiting list for NHS braces is currently over 2 years.
The options for braces under the NHS are somewhat limited. If you are deemed to be eligible for NHS orthodontic treatment, the NHS commonly provide fixed metal braces (aka ‘train tracks’) and you will need a referral from your dentist.
Fixed metal braces are not the preferred choice for most people, especially as there are so many great alternatives. As an independent patient, you’re free to choose any option you like to straighten your teeth, under the guidance of your dentist, without the need to wait on a waiting list. As everyone deserves access to the best care, we also offer flexible finance options and several payment methods to suit you.
