Is Teeth Straightening Really Worth The Money?

Teeth straightening for adults is growing in popularity, and since there are so many modern methods available, you don’t have to live with fixed metal braces for months on end. The flexibility of treatment means that you can straighten your teeth in a discreet way, if this is important to you.

In this guide, we’re exploring the many benefits of teeth straightening. You’ll soon learn that this is more than just a cosmetic treatment and it could help you to enjoy a healthier smile while also making it much easier to care for your teeth.

Thinking about teeth straightening?

Teeth straightening has come a long way since the days of fixed metal braces. While this tried and tested method is still certainly available and a very popular option, there are lots of other options when it comes to sorting out your smile.

First, you don’t need to worry about being an eligible candidate. While NHS orthodontics may have been restricted to those with a clinical need for treatment, when you are an adult, you can choose to start treatment even if you only have minor imperfections. This is one of the perks of private orthodontics.

There are lots of modern treatment plans available, including nearly invisible and removable aligners, alongside treatments that specifically focus on the top front teeth that are visible when you smile. This allows us to vastly speed up the treatment process.

There are many other benefits to straightening your teeth, including:

Improved Confidence and Self Esteem

The main reason many people will look to straighten their teeth is to help improve the appearance of their smile. Some people are so embarrassed by what people may think of the state of their smile that they feel they need to cover their mouth when they talk or smile.

Straightening your teeth can help to improve confidence and self-esteem, allowing you to achieve things you never thought were possible. It could give you a boost in your professional life, your social life and your dating life. Many people don’t realise just how much their smile has been holding them back until they decide to do something about it.

Healthy Gums

If your teeth are overcrowded or crooked it can be very difficult to effectively clean in and around them. If food debris is left trapped between teeth it can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

By straightening teeth, the gums will fit more securely around teeth and it will be much easier to perform an effective oral hygiene routine removing any plaque or calculus present. In the long term, this can help reduce the risk of tooth loss.

It’s also the case that patients who invest in their smile are more likely to take good care of their teeth. Once you have invested in your smile, you’re more likely to attend regular checkups and take pride in your oral health.

Improved bite

If your teeth are misaligned this can lead to problems speaking, chewing and can cause your teeth to wear and crack more quickly. This may also put an increased strain on your jaw muscles which in the long term can lead to headaches and other health conditions.

By straightening teeth and properly aligning the bite, it is possible to reduce discomfort and wear caused to your mouth and jaw. If you have unexplained headaches or wake up with pain in your jaw, addressing the alignment of your teeth may provide some relief. It’s also possible to improve things like mouth breathing by addressing your jaw alignment.

Overall health

Your teeth and gums can provide a clear picture of your overall health. If you look after your teeth and gums you are also likely to look after the rest of your body. Bacteria present in your mouth which causes tooth decay and gum disease can if left untreated cause bad breath and even tooth loss.

Studies have shown that oral infections can also lead to more serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia and diabetes. By straightening your teeth you will have a better chance of reducing oral infections and other potential health problems.

Types of teeth straightening treatment

Here at Leigh Dental Centre, we are able to offer two main types of teeth straightening, including:

Cfast: Cosmetic Tooth Alignment

Cfast teeth straightening is a gentle and simple minimally invasive teeth straightening system which straightens the top and bottom teeth.

Cfast uses clear brackets and tooth-coloured nickel-titanium wires. The treatment works much like using clear aligners however the tooth movement is predictable and quick.

Cfast is fast, effective and affordable. Treatment can typically be completed within 6 months, leaving you with a straighter smile that fills you with confidence. This aligner style allows for fast and cost-effective treatment. CFast can be cheaper than other traditional teeth straightening treatments.

Invisible Braces

We can also use clear braces or invisible braces to help gently and professionally move your teeth to achieve that smile you deserve without using fixed metal braces. Removable aligners (like Invisalign) are growing in popularity as they allow more flexibility in the treatment plan.

At the start of the treatment plan, you receive a full set of aligners. Each one applies gentle pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into the optimum alignment. You remove them to eat and brush your teeth, which means that you don’t have to change your diet while you are undergoing treatment.

In most cases, it will take about six months to straighten your teeth. For more complex cases, it could take 18 – 24 months, but since the aligners are nearly invisible, most patients don’t mind the treatment time.

Choosing the right treatment plan for you

You don’t have to make this decision alone. Following your initial consultation, your dentist can offer recommendations for the right treatment for your needs. Your clinical history and experience with orthodontic treatment may influence which treatment is right for you.

One of the perks of choosing private orthodontics is that you will have far greater choice, and you can start the treatment on your own schedule. This makes it suitable for both adults and teens, particularly teenagers who don’t want to wait on long NHS waiting lists.

Financing your orthodontic treatment

We are able to offer 0% finance to help you spread the cost of your dental treatment.

If you are interested in finding out how Leigh Dental Centre can help you achieve the smile you want today, call 01702 472929 to book a consultation appointment today.

Frequently asked questions about teeth straightening

1. Do I have to have any teeth extracted?

It may sometimes be necessary to remove teeth to ensure the best possible outcome for your teeth straightening treatment. The dentist will need to perform a full assessment to determine the best treatment plan to meet your needs.

2. What is the age limit for teeth straightening?

There is no age limit for teeth straightening. The only criterion is that you are dentally fit, which does become more difficult as you age.

3. How long will it take to straighten my teeth?

This will depend on the number of teeth to be moved and the complexity of the overcrowding. Some treatments can be completed in as little as 12 weeks while more complex cases can take up to 2 years. The dentist will be able to provide you with an expected timeline prior to you starting treatment.

4. Do you offer Invisalign?

Yes, we do, and it is one of our most popular treatment options. Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners are virtually invisible so no one will be able to tell that you are having treatment. This makes them a great choice for professionals in client-facing jobs or teenagers who don’t want to be seen to be wearing braces.

5. Is teeth straightening painful?

You will experience some discomfort for a few days following a change in aligners or an adjustment of your braces, but this should be easily managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

6. Aren’t braces solely cosmetic?

Many people do get braces for cosmetic reasons, but straight teeth also have many health benefits. Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Straight teeth also help to spread the biting pressure evenly across all teeth, reducing the risk of wear and tear from an uneven bite and temporal mandibular joint problems.

7. Will I need to wear retainers following treatment?

In order to ensure that your teeth do not regress back to their original position, no matter what teeth straightening treatment you undertake, you will need to wear retainers.

8. Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we are able to offer payment plans. We want to ensure that monetary considerations should not prove to be a barrier to accessing teeth straightening and with our 0% finance you can spread the cost into manageable monthly amounts.

If you are interested in undergoing teeth straightening do not hesitate to contact Leigh Dental Centre on 01702 472929 or email info@​leighdentalcentre.​co.​uk and we will be able to book you in to start your journey to straighter teeth.