Orthodontics in Cosmetic Dentistry – Getting it Straight

While dental implants and veneers are getting all of the press, orthodontics is the backbone of cosmetic dentistry. How impressive are gleaming white teeth if they are crooked, gapped, or crowded? The very basis of cosmetic dentistry must start with straight teeth.

The cosmetic dentistry/orthodontics paradox

How can someone that cares about their appearance be burdened with the appearance of big, bulky braces and headgear? How can someone endure years of ugly braces as part of their aesthetic dentistry treatment? In this case the problem with the argument is in the premise. In simpler terms, braces no longer need to be ugly or worn for years. In addition, headgear is for children during development, not adults interested in cosmetic dentistry. There are cosmetically appealing options for patients interested in their appearance and interested in having straight teeth.

Invisible braces solve the paradox

Invisible braces are the hottest orthodontic trend right now. These clear aligners slide right over a patient’s teeth like a completely clear mouth guard, but they really do move the teeth like braces. The most popular and famous brand of clear aligners is Invisalign; however, competitors have recently entered the market. The competition is driven by such a high patient demand and the ease with which dentists can perform orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. A computer program combined with 3-D imaging can plot out the entire course of treatment—the patient is simply fitted with a new clear aligner every few weeks which moves the teeth a little bit more each time.

Clear braces are for patients that cannot have clear aligners

Sadly clear aligners do not work for every orthodontic patient. Some people’s teeth are a bit too crooked or the bite is too far off  for clear aligners. In these cases, adult patients often turn to clear braces. Clear braces are not really clear at all, but made out of porcelain (ceramic) or composite materials so that they are the same color as the tooth. Therefore “clear braces” are hard to see against the background of the tooth. Clear braces provide potent orthodontic treatment where clear aligners cannot, even to tough cases.

Cosmetic dentistry and your orthodontist

Orthodontics can be combined with other cosmetic dentistry techniques to provide the most beautiful smile possible for your face. Since cosmetic dentistry is not a separate dental specialty like Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, many dentists incorporate aesthetic dentistry procedures into their practice. If you are considering a dental makeover and you need orthodontic treatment, it makes sense to work with an orthodontist that also practices cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry techniques

As you are having your teeth aligned, you may need to have some teeth extracted, especially if you are an adult patient. Dental implants are rapidly becoming the most secure way to replace missing teeth. If an orthodontist installs the dental implant, he or she can incorporate the implant into the orthodontic treatment plan. Further, when minor tweaks and adjustments need to be made to fine tune the placement of the teeth, your orthodontist may be able to achieve those cosmetic results by using veneers and/or bonding. Veneers and bonding are cosmetic dentistry techniques that can subtly change the shape and size of teeth. Dental veneers can fill in small gaps that orthodontic treatment may have missed.  In the end you are left with a straight, beautiful smile and all the benefits that go along with orthodontic treatment .

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What’s Hot in the World of Braces

Orthodontists are excited, which is not something that happens every day. Why are orthodontists excited? Hot new orthodontic trends are making the practice of orthodontics fun. More and more patients are happy to be in the dentist’s chair (for once). So what are these hot new trends in the world of orthodontics?

Clear braces

The term clear braces is sort of a misnomer since the brackets of “clear braces” are actually tooth-colored and not clear. Clear braces perform just like traditional metal brackets and archwires  except that they are harder to see. Adult patients love them because clear braces can provide orthodontic treatment in even the most difficult cases, but are less noticeable than metal brackets. Clear braces are the exciting choice for teens and adults that cannot have or do not want clear aligners.

Clear aligners

Clear aligners like Invisalign have changed the face of orthodontics. For people with relatively minor orthodontic problems, clear aligners are providing the benefits of straight teeth  while being virtually undetectable to others. Clear aligners slide right over your own teeth and are truly clear, so anyone looking at your mouth will not notice them. However, all the while these invisible braces are pulling and pushing teeth into a better alignment.

Digital imaging

This hot new trend in orthodontics is a real hit with kids and teens especially. Digital imaging of patient’s teeth and gums allows the orthodontist and the patient to see where treatment is going. It can predict the final outcome of braces and provide a projected picture of what the patient with look like after braces are removed. Digital imaging in orthodontics is helping to keep children and teenagers interested and motivated in orthodontic treatment. Wearing braces is much easier if you can actually see the goal. This is the power of 3-D digital imaging.

A lab in the orthodontist office

Orthodontists are beginning to bring the dental laboratory right into their practice offices. The machines that create dental devices and orthodontic appliances have become so efficient and compact that they fit right in the orthodontist office. This means that instead of sending out impressions or other images to a dental laboratory, the orthodontist can create the appliance in house. When combined with 3-D dental imaging, in-office fabrication is really speeding up orthodontic treatment.

NASA and Orthodontics?

Metals originally developed by NASA are improving comfort and speeding up orthodontic treatment. NASA developed a heat-activated metal that changes shape when exposed to different temperatures. In turns out that the temperature in the mouth is enough to change the shape of this space age metal. Why is this important? The braces increase in tension slowly and in between adjustments. Therefore there is less discomfort and braces are removed faster.

6 month braces

You may have seen advertisements for 6 month braces as part of cosmetic dentistry. How can someone straighten teeth in six months when most orthodontists takes two years? Here is the big difference between 6 month braces and other, longer forms of orthodontic treatment: Orthodontic treatment is usually about teeth straightening perfection while 6 month braces are about getting the teeth pretty close to straight as quickly as possible. While 6 month braces may be faster than traditional treatment, you don’t always get better function or much healthier teeth. Still, 6 month braces are an attractive choice for many orthodontic patients.

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