Clear braces, which as also known as ceramic braces are a more cosmetic alternative to traditional metal braces. Some clear brackets on the dental market are actually inferior white plastic brackets which are more prone to breakage and are less aesthetic. The brackets we use at Happy Teeth are crystal clear, very strong and blend in with the surrounding tooth colour. We use a pearl or clear ‘tie’ to hold the orthodontic wire in place and most patients report a high level of satisfaction when they smile.
Clear braces are best suited for adults and older teens who are very concerned about the appearance of their teeth during orthodontic treatment. The overall cost for clear braces is generally a little more than traditional metal braces and the time to complete your treatment may take longer. Despite this, we will ALWAYS consider your preferences and work with you to deliver an orthodontic solution that you are happy and comfortable with.
We will always take a whole-body approach when we consider which methods of teeth straightening are most appropriate for you. What this means is we will always identify the CAUSES of your teeth crowding in order for us to correct them along with giving you straight teeth at the same time. Is this important? The answer is simply without addressing the key reasons why someone has crooked teeth, then there is a real risk that the end result of your orthodontic treatment will be unstable and “relapse”.
Orthodontic relapse is common problem when teeth are straightened unless we identify what the driving forces for the crowded teeth are, which may include:
- Cranial distortions – Cranial osteopaths and chiropractors often identify misalignment or unsymmetrical cranial and facial bones of the head that may be partly responsible for the appearance of your teeth. If these distortions are corrected at the same time then your orthodontic treatment will progress faster and the end result will become more stable.
- Mouth breathing – A person cannot breathe well through their nose, either from allergies or other issues often develops a long face and narrow dental arches as the mouth must be kept open most of the time. These jaw muscles act like orthodontic forces and push the teeth inwards. If we address the breathing issues early and get you breathing through your nose then your orthodontic treatment will be far more successful and stable.
- Bad tongue habits – Did you know that poor tongue swallowing habits can distort your teeth? The most common abnormalities are a forward or lateral “tongue thrust” movement when you swallow. Unless we correct this tongue habit, either before or during orthodontic treatment, then your teeth are likely to pushed out again.