Uneven and unaligned teeth can really drag you down and affect your self-confidence. Recent advances in dental care mean that years of unattractive metal braces are no-longer the only way to get straighter teeth, with all the teeth straightening options now available, the cost of teeth straightening has decreased over the years, making it an overall a much more attractive, achievable and affordable option.

There are two main forms of orthodontics (or ortho for short). The first is ‘Traditional Orthodontics’ provided by an orthodontist, using the traditional style of braces. The second is short-term orthodontics or (STO), which makes use of brands including Invisalign, Six Month Smiles and Inman Aligner which can be provided by your general dentist as the clinical planning and appliance design is carried out away from the dental practice and your dentist is simply required to fit and maintain these in house.

The key difference with these STO methods compared to the traditional orthodontic treatment, is the fact that the back teeth are not moved and only the front teeth are aligned.

If you’re already happy with your back teeth and your bite alignment, this could be a good option for you.

This approach results in a much shorter treatment period, usually around 4-9 months, whereas traditional orthodontics using fixed braces typically takes around 18-30 months.

An additional benefit of STO is that the components used in these cosmetic braces are colour matched to your teeth, blending in naturally with your teeth. Some options use clear invisible components, and very discreet.

If you have a clinical need for teeth straightening, you will be required to opt for traditional braces, as cosmetic braces will not improve the alignment of your bite.

Cosmetic straightening may not be a suitable option for everyone, you will need to attend a consultation with one of our dentists to find the right option for you.