As an adult if you need teeth straightening, there is a good chance you do not need major bite correction, otherwise you would have qualified for braces on the NHS as a teenager. Teeth straightening without bite correction has become more discreet as new materials have made appliances smaller and subtler than the traditional train track, heavy metal look that bite correction needed in the past.
There are various systems of braces on offer from reputable dentists such as Aura Dental in North West London. Some of these are:
Six Month Smiles
Clear ceramic brackets and tooth-coloured wires that can quickly correct mild misalignments among the front ‘social’ teeth. Average treatment time is 6 months.
Invisalign clear aligners
Very thin, clear acrylic aligners that resemble mouth guards. You receive a series of between 12 and 48 aligners, each one representing a step on the path your teeth need to travel to alignment. These aligners push rather than pull your teeth into position. They are removable for easier cleaning. Being so thin and snug-fitting, it is almost impossible to see that you are wearing them. They are not for the undisciplined as you must wear them for at least 22 hours a day, and not lose or break them when they are out of your mouth.
Inman Aligner
Just one aligner this time. It features springs and coils to move your front teeth with gently opposing forces. Super-quick treatment times of 6 to 18 weeks.
CFast braces
Another brand of fixed braces using tooth-coloured brackets and wires. They target the front teeth but can also level and round out your arches.
So, as you can see, there are lots of choice for braces. If you want to find out more about which one would best suit your situation, why not make an appointment for a consultation.
Most dentists also offer payment plans so that you can spread the cost of treatment into monthly payments.
You will almost undoubtedly also need a retainer at the end of treatment to hold your teeth in place until they settle in properly, which takes about a year.