Braces for Adults – What Are Our Options?

In a quest for THAT perfect smile, more and more adults in the UK are turning towards braces than ever before. However if like many 30+ year olds, the first thing you think of when someone says braces, is a ‘train track’ you might be put off by the prospect of teeth straightening treatments in your later years! These ‘train tracks’ are still widely available at most dentists throughout the UK, but the good news is that although these more traditional fixed braces (we’ll refer to them as their actual name from here on in!) are not the only option available to patients (regardless of age), who are looking to consider teeth straightening treatment. Over the past 10+ years advancements in dentistry has come on leaps and bounds. There are now more alternative teeth straightening treatments available than ever before. And many of which in fact take a fraction of the time to see results, and are a fraction of the cost, of the more traditional fixed braces treatment. The first alternative treatment, and one that has taken the market by storm in recent years is Fastbraces®. The technology behind Fastbraces® typically works with just one orthodontic wire from start to finish, whereas traditional braces usually require a series of wires and tightening procedures. The fundamental difference between conventional brace systems and Fastbraces® is the staggered tooth movement. Traditional braces tend to move teeth in two stages; initially moving the crown, and secondly moving the root of the teeth. Fastbraces® patients are able to achieve their perfect smile in around half the time that it would take traditional brace systems – on average it takes anywhere between three months to a year to move teeth into the desired position! A revolutionary alternative to both Fastbraces® is the Invisalign® clear braces treatment. As the name suggests Invisalign® braces allow patients to gain the straight smile they have always wanted without any brackets or wiring in sight. No longer does wearing braces leave patients feeling self-conscious about smiling! Plus unlike their metal counterparts, Invisalign® braces are completely removable. These remarkable invisible braces can be taken out when you are eating, flossing or brushing your teeth. The removable aligners ensure that the health of your gums and the teeth are maintained throughout the treatment plan. The final alternative treatment to consider is the Inman Aligner. Used to treat the more minor orthodontic issues, the Inman Aligner is very discreet on the eye with the only visible sign being a fine wire which runs across the front of the teeth, working in a similar way to that of a dental retainer. And the best thing is.. The Inman Aligner takes only two fifteen minute appointments to be fitted! So there you have it – a complete list of alternative teeth straitening treatments, and all without a train track in sight! All treatments we’ve discussed are readily available at Aesthetika Dental – you can find more information about the teeth straightening treatments, and what to expect during their individual treatment plans on our orthodontics page. Alternatively don’t forget to check out and ‘Like’ our Facebook page for more information about our treatments, as well as tips on how to best care for you and your family’s teeth. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS on all our treatments plans so if you’d like to arrange your free consultation for any of our treatments, or speak to one of our oral health experts to discuss your best options please use our handy online booking form here. Aesthetika Dental

The Four Types Of Teeth And How They Function

Your teeth and the structure of your mouth play important roles in your ability to eat and speak and stay healthy. Most of us take our teeth for granted… until something goes wrong. Our teeth help us chew and digest food, play an important role in speech, and impact our health overall. And by brushing up on your dental health knowledge, you’ll be taking the first step toward giving your teeth the attention they deserve. How much do you know about your pearly whites?

The Development of Teeth

Humans have two sets of teeth, primary (or baby) teeth and then permanent teeth, which develop in stages. Although the timing is different, the development of each of these sets of teeth is similar. Here are some facts about how people develop teeth:

• Teeth tend to erupt in parallel, meaning that the top molar on your left side should grow in at about the same time as the top molar on the right.
• Tooth development begins long before your first tooth becomes visible. For example, a baby’s first tooth appears at around six months of age, but development of those teeth actually begins during the early second trimester of pregnancy.
• The crown of a tooth forms first, while the roots continue to develop even after the tooth has erupted.
• The 20 primary teeth are in place by age 3 and remain until around 6 years of age when they begin to fall out to make way for the permanent set of teeth.
• Adult teeth start to grow in between 6 and 12 years of age. Most adults have 32 permanent teeth.
• Permanent teeth are larger and take longer to grow in than primary teeth.

The Parts of the Tooth

A tooth is divided into two basic parts: the crown, which is the visible, white part of the tooth, and the root, which you can’t see. The root extends below the gum line and anchors the tooth into the bone. Your teeth contain four kinds of tissue and each does a different job. These include:

• Enamel. Enamel is the visible substance that covers the tooth crown. Harder than bone, enamel protects the tooth from decay. Enamel is made up of phosphorous and calcium.
• Dentin. Underneath the enamel you find dentin, which is calcified and looks similar to bone. Dentin is not quite as hard as enamel, so it is at greater risk for decay should the enamel wear away.
• Cementum. This tissue covers the tooth root and helps anchor it (cement it) into the bone. It is softer than enamel and dentin; the best way to protect this softer tissue from decay is by taking good care of your gums. Cementum has a light yellow color and is usually covered by the gums. But with inadequate dental care, the gums may become diseased and shrink, exposing the cementum to harmful plaque and bacteria.
• Pulp. Pulp is found at the center of your tooth and contains the blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues that deliver nutrients and signals to your teeth.

Types of Teeth and What They Do

Teeth help you chew your food, making it easier to digest. Each type of tooth has a slightly different shape and performs a different job. Types of teeth include:

• Incisors. Incisors are the eight teeth in the front and center of your mouth (four on top and four on bottom). These are the teeth that you use to take bites of your food. Incisors are usually the first teeth to erupt, at around 6 months of age for your first set of teeth, and between 6 and 8 years of age for your adult set.
• Canines. Your four canines are the next type of teeth to develop. These are your sharpest teeth and are used for ripping and tearing food apart. Primary canines generally appear between 16 and 20 months of age with the upper canines coming in just ahead of the lower canines. In permanent teeth, the order is reversed. Lower canines erupt around age 9 with the uppers arriving between 11 and 12 years of age.
• Premolars. Premolars, or bicuspids, are used for chewing and grinding food. You have four premolars on each side of your mouth, two on the upper and two on the lower jaw. The first premolars appear around age 10 and the second premolars arrive about a year later.
• Molars. Primary molars are also used for chewing and grinding food. These appear between 12 and 15 months of age. These molars, also known as decidious molars, are replaced by the first and second permanent premolars (four upper and four lower). The permanent molars do not replace, but come in behind the primary teeth. The first molars erupt around 6 years of age (before the primary molars fall out) while the second molars come in between 11 and 13 years of age.
• Third molars. Third molars are commonly known as wisdom teeth. These are the last teeth to develop and do not typically erupt until age 18 to 20, and some people never develop third molars at all. For those who do, these molars may cause crowding and need to be removed.

Your mouth is important. Don’t take your teeth or oral health for granted. For good dental health, brush and floss your teeth regularly, don’t smoke, eat a healthy diet, and see your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and checkups. A healthy mouth makes for a healthy body… and a pretty smile.