14 Questions & Answers About Adult braces

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Questions and answers about adult bracesWith so many people now considering wearing braces way beyond their childhood and teenage years we thought it would be appropriate to answer as many questions as we can about braces for adults, including fixed braces & invisible braces.

1. Is it necessary to remove teeth before having braces?

It may sometimes be necessary to remove teeth. It depends on your clinical situation. Very often teeth become crooked because they are overcrowded and they’re physically isn’t enough room for all of the teeth to be straight. Removing teeth allows the remaining teeth to be straightened in the most efficient manner. You would generally only need to have teeth removed if your teeth are crowded, if you want orthodontics because your teeth are spaced then tooth removal would not normally be necessary.

2. What is the age limit for wearing braces?

There isn’t an age limit for braces to move teeth. The only real criteria is that you are dentally fit and healthy which does become more problematic as you age.

3. Is it bad for your gums to start wearing braces in my 20s?

Being 20 is still very young and it would be absolutely fine to wear braces. So long as the braces are designed well they should not be bad for your gums. You will also need to make sure that you are cleaning your teeth adequately everyday, this is far more likely to be bad for your gums than braces themselves. A dental hygienist can help with this.

4. What is it like to wear braces as an adult?

It depends on what type of braces you have. Lingual braces (braces that fit on the inside of your teeth) can be a little uncomfortable to begin with but are virtually invisible. Braces on the front of your teeth, often known as train tracks make not look quite as good however, with modern techniques such as ceramic braces with white wires they can be virtually imperceptible.

5. How long should you wear braces?

Some treatments can be undertaken in around 12 weeks, other treatments can take up to 2 years. Shorter treatments usually only involve the top front teeth, front teeth have smaller and less complex roots than back teeth and are therefore quicker and easier to move. If your orthodontic brace is to move back teeth then treatment times can be significantly longer.

tooth root sizes

Image source: thesebonesofmine.wordpress.com/category/teeth/

6. Is it embarrassing to wear braces to college?

There are a couple of ways to deal with embarrassment from wearing braces at College or University. One way is to opt for more invisible braces such as lingual, Invisalign or ceramic braces. These are very discreet systems.

Another way to deal with embarrassment is to make a statement with your braces. You could opt to have various coloured bands on your metal brace, these can be chosen to match your favourite sports team or colours and can make a real fashion statement.

The key is to let your dentist or orthodontist know about your concerns and you can then decide together the best way to overcome them.

7. What are some tips for surviving adult braces?

Our tips for surviving adult braces are:

  • Accept that there will be some mild discomfort for a couple of days each time the braces are adjusted, typically every 4-6 weeks.
  • Clean your braces fastidiously after every meal.
  • Invest in interdental brushes so that you can clean between the brackets adequately.
  • Be prepared for a lull in your motivation towards the end of treatment. Many patients find the final couple of months difficult as they have had the bulk of change they require and now just want to get the braces off. Being prepared to this can help you deal with how you feel towards the end of treatment.
  • Book a celebration meal for when you’re braces come off with all of the favourite foods you haven’t been able to eat during treatment.
  • Talk to your orthodontist or dentist throughout treatment. If you’re having problems then let them know as they are almost always ways to help.

8. What are the disadvantages of wearing braces?

Some disadvantages of wearing braces can be:

  • Mild discomfort each time they are adjusted.
  • The length of treatment. Sometimes this can be up to 2 years.
  • For braces which are fitted on the front surface of your teeth they can sometimes irritate your cheeks and cause ulcers.
  • The braces cost and sometimes put people off although there are almost always payment options available.

9. Orthodontics: Do braces really work?

Yes. The science of orthodontics is now clearly understood. Simply putting pressure on the tooth in a particular direction will move it. The proof of this is that sometimes we need to use orthodontics to correct accidental childhood movement of the bone. If a child sucks their thumb very hard at a young age they can move the bone in the roof of their mouth. Because the bone is moved it also moves the teeth leaving them with buck teeth.

Orthodontics use utilises this very same principle but in a controlled manner to move the teeth into a position we want.

10. How do people feel about adult braces?

The results speak for themselves. Patients are invariably delighted with the result of adult braces and feel younger, fresher, brighter and more confident.

Before and after adult orthodontics

Before and after

11. How effective is orthodontics in grown ups?

In days gone by orthodontics was only offered to children and teenagers. Adults are usually considered not tolerant of the classic NHS braces which were metal and obtrusive. Advances in modern techniques to provide more aesthetic braces (Although not an nhs treatment)  has meant that adults have opted to have orthodontics also. Orthodontic results are extremely good in adults.

Any orthodontics will also require you to wear a retainer, this can sometimes be a removable device so adults need to remember that this will need to be worn, usually at night, after treatment.

12. What age is too old to start using braces (for teeth)?

So long as your oral health is in good condition then no age is too old to start using orthodontic braces.

13. What are the pros and cons of dental braces?

On the positive side:

Dental braces maintain your natural tooth structure meaning your teeth stay as healthy as possible, just in a new position. Dental braces are therefore one of the most holistic and health-conscious ways to straighten crooked teeth.

On the negative side:

Dental braces often take at least three months to work, sometimes up to 2 years. So if you’re looking for a quick result then you may like to look at other cosmetic dentistry alternatives such as veneers or bonding.

14. What are the various types of braces?

Dental braces typically come in 3 varieties:

  1. Rapid.
  2. Imperceptible.
  3. Complex.

Rapid systems include things like Invisalign Lite or the Inman aligner. These typically move front teeth only (their roots are shorter and so can be moved quicker) to more cosmetically acceptable positions. Often this is only rotating or tipping teeth rather than removing them bodily.

Imperceptible systems include Invisalign, lingual and ceramic braces. Some of these more imperceptible systems utilise clear aligners, some of them at the orthodontic braces on the tongue side of your teeth whilst others use ceramic/clear braces with white wires on the front of your teeth to be completely tooth coloured.

Complex systems include ceramic/clear braces and conventional metal train track braces. These can be used to move teeth bodily, including the more difficult to move back teeth.

These three alternatives are not mutually exclusive, for example ceramic braces (complex) are also virtually invisible. Some of the systems are also removable (Inman aligner, Invisalign) whilst others are fixed (metal train track braces or clear/ceramic braces)

Summary

There are so many questions about orthodontics that you may like to ask, our Solihull Dental Practice is happy to take questions and queries from you on social media stream, we also recommend that you speak to your own dentist about your concerns and questions.

All problems exist in the absence of good communication… So let’s talk.

 

Teeth implants – why, what and how

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Teeth implants-what, why and howLots of patients are asking about dental implants and trying to discover whether implants are right for them or not. With so many questions we thought we would attempt to answer a few with our dedicated teeth implant blog post.

Many people talk about teeth or tooth implants, in this post we will refer interchangeably between the term tooth implants and dental implants, these are different terms describing the same thing.

Why do dentists prefer dental implants?

  1. Dental implants can help to stabilise surrounding teeth either side of the gap. They prevent adjacent teeth tipping into the gap and opposing teeth over erupting. Both of these issues can cause problems with your bite which can lead to eating problems and/or headaches.
  2. Implants can stabilise the bone around the socket where the tooth has been removed. When a tooth is lost the bone around the hole collapses, this can lead to problems in later life.
  3. Dental implants don’t require reduction of the adjacent teeth similar to dental bridges, they are therefore less invasive on the surrounding dentition.
  4. When the cost is calculated over your lifetime dental implants often work out at the cheapest option as they involve fewer teeth to replace the missing tooth, unlike dental bridges.

How much does a full set of teeth implants cost?

It really depends on exactly how many implants you have placed and whether you need/want a removable denture or a fixed bridge. If you have lost lots of bone you may find that you need to have a removable denture with replacement gum to bulk out your lips, this can give a more youthful appearance and replace lost bone/gum.

  • A full denture held in by 2 dental implants will typically cost from £3500.
  • A fixed full arch bridge retained on dentures typically costs from £9000.

Further information about the cost of dentistry in the UK can be found on our blog.

Are dental implants painful to have done?

On the whole, no. The treatment is usually carried out under local anaesthetic only, immediately after the tooth implant placement you may need to take prescription painkillers to keep yourself more comfortable. For the first couple of weeks after implants you may find there is some discomfort as the soft tissue heals.

How long do dental implants last for?

The dental implant itself (the part which is under your gum and in the bone) can easily last a lifetime. The only part of a dental implant which may need to be replaced is the part that you see, this will either be a dental crown, bridge or denture. The typical life of a dental crown or bridge is around 10 to 15 years, although many people have dental crowns which last a lifetime.

The key to ensuring a dental implant lasts for the longest amount of time is a good dental hygiene and regular maintenance. This includes good oral hygiene at home as well is regular visits to the dentist.

Can a dental implant fall out?

A dental implant is made of several different components, primarily this consists of the dental implants itself (the part which is under your gum and in the bone), the dental crowns/bridge/denture  (The part which you see) and the abutment (The part which connects the underlying dental implant to the restoration that you see).

Generally speaking the dental implant itself will be so securely retained within your mouth that it won’t fall out, there is however a rare condition called peri-implantitis which can occur if the bone around the implant becomes infected. If this happens it is possible for the implant itself to fall out.

The most common reason you may think a dental implant has fallen out is that the dental crowns/bridge/denture becomes loose or falls out. This is not the same as the implant falling out itself. If the crown/bridge/denture falls out it is usually a simple process to replace it by visiting the dentist.

Do you have to have an anaesthetic for dental implants?

You will always be given a local anaesthetic for dental implants. You can also opt for sedation with dental implants in some cases. Rarely with the dental implants be placed under full general anaesthetic. The process is relatively quick, simple and these benefits outweigh the risk of a general anaesthetic.

What are the downsides of dental implants?

Dental implants have very few downsides, they need to be looked after the same as your natural teeth do and if you do this they will serve you well for many years. Many people believe that the cost of dental implants is a big downside, the cost of implants can be quite high initially but when taken into consideration that implants can last a lifetime it makes the upfront cost very high value.

 

This blog post has been written by Solihull Dental Centre and Implant Clinic, download a voucher now for a low-cost dental implant initial consultation saving you 70% off the usual treatment rate.

How to repair a chipped or broken tooth

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Chipped teeth are quite common so our Solihull dentist Dr Zubair Sacranie decided to write a blog post dedicated to chip teeth and looking at how to repair them.

Causes of a chipped tooth

Chipped or broken tooth can happen for many reasons, trauma is the most common but also malocclusion can cause teeth to chip or break.

Chipped tooth repair

It’s actually quite easy to prepare a small chip in a tooth. Your dentist will probably use a technique called bonding. Bonding involves cleaning out any discoloured or decayed area around the chip, preparing the surface of the tooth with a special etching gel and then applying a tooth coloured resin directly to the tooth.Chipped front tooth

With many colours and translucency of resin to choose from this is a highly skilled procedure to ensure that the chipped tooth repair is invisible.

Whilst there are a few home kits available to repair chipped teeth in this way they very often have limited range of colours and don’t have the necessary tools, equipment or materials in order to prepare the tooth adequately for bonding meaning home repairs can often not look quite as good and may not last as long.

Chipped teeth are not usually painful as it is normally only the hard outer layer (enamel) that chips.

Broken tooth repair

If the tooth has a large section broken off then this may be too large to repair with bonding. A large broken area of the tooth can also be painful if the break is close to the pulp.

Normally the best way to repair a larger broken tooth like this is to opt for dental veneer or possibly a dental crown. A dental veneer is bonded to the remaining portion of the tooth and will simply replace the broken section. A dental crown would be used if the brake is particularly severe.

Whilst the veneer or crown is being made your dentist will usually place a temporary filling to avoid any sensitivity or pain.

Broken or cracked molar

Broken cracked back teeth are far more likely to need a full dental Crown to repair them. A dental Crown covers the full circumference and amount of the tooth, leaving no natural tooth exposed. These types of crowns are stronger and dental veneers and can withstand the biting forces exerted upon them in the back teeth.

Broken tooth pain

Broken tooth pain comes when the chip or break is very close to the underlying nerve of the tooth. In the short term you may like to try over-the-counter painkillers but in the long-term, if you have a broken tooth and there is pain, this indicates that you need to see a dentist as the break is very close to the nerve.

Chipped tooth at gum line

If you have chips on the tooth at the gum line this can be an indicator that either your bite has some form of malocclusion annual biting down excessively hard on one area, or that you may be brushing slightly too hard in one area of the tooth, causing it to wear away.

Your dentist will be able to assess your biting forces or teeth cleaning habits and let you know which one of these causes is most likely for you. Once the cause has been established action can then be taken.

Scared of the dentist? 7 Techniques to help you relax

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scare of the dentist - sleep sedation Solihull

Scared of the dentist? It’s quite common, but actually what is more common is people are overcoming that fear to have the treatment they need and/or want.

Here’s where your journey begins…

If your fear hits you when you first start thinking you need to come to the dentist, or that you need some form of treatment it can often seem like a huge mountain to climb. But we want to assure you that the journey of 1000 steps always starts with a first step. And it’s just like the joke:

“How do you eat an elephant?”

Answer… one bite at a time.

Overcoming dental fear is the same… overcome it one small step or bite at a time.

Tip #1 – Time to unlearn?

Think about it now, you weren’t born with a fear of the dentist, babies are a blank canvas and have no such irrational fears. However, as we get older we have certain experiences that shape our views, we actually learn fears that weren’t with us earlier on.

The problem is that we have these experiences once and they then shape our thought patterns by teaching us new behaviours i.e. to be scared of the dentist, this is a key point to understand, your fear is a learnt behaviour – and if it can be learnt, a new way of thinking can also be learnt.

So, take number one is to accept that you learned this behaviour at some point. Accepting this means a new behaviour and way of thinking can also be learnt.

Tip #2 – Talk to your dentist

Talking is good. Your dentist will have experience this many times before and will have a multitude of ways they can help. For example, if even walking in through the door is a problem your dentist can overcome this by talking on the phone, then chatting to you in the reception area (no dental ‘stuff’ in sight). Once you’ve got this far you can discuss simple next steps in helping you, all working to help you overcome your fear at your own pace.

The real key in overcoming your fear is to talk to and open up communication, most people’s fears are based on outdated ways of doing things that are easily avoided, dentistry has changed an awful lot in recent years and many of those old techniques are no longer used.

Tip #3 – Book an early morning appointment

This is a quick and easy one to do, rather than sit there all day worrying about your dental appointment, book an appointment as early in the morning as you possibly can. It’s then a case of getting up, getting ready and getting on with it… No time to worry.

Tip #4 – Bring a friend

Bringing a friend can be a real help but is recommended that you work out in advance discussion topics. There’s nothing worse than sitting in the dentist waiting room with your friend blankly staring into space and feeling anxious. Agreed topics such as holidays, days out or simply bring your diaries so you can work out when you are next going to catch up… The trick is to work out in advance what you are going to discuss, you will find the time flies by.

Tip #5 – Agree a STOP signal

Most dentists, if they know you are anxious, will ensure there is a stop signal agreed. If for any reason this doesn’t happen just mention it when you sit in the chair. Tell your dentist that you are scared and say that you will raise your right hand if you want them to stop at any time.

This puts you in control which can easily remove a great deal of the fear in itself.

Tip #6 – control the voices

Do you hear voices in our head?

If you are thinking ‘No I don’t have voices’ then THAT’S the voice we are talking about, the one that just said ‘I don’t have any voices’!

We all have voices in our head that talk to us telling us things… ‘you’re no good’ ‘ you’re fat’ ‘ you’re scared of the dentist’… now you know the voice we mean. In fact most people read in their heads using that exact same voice.

A key strategy on overcoming fear and relaxing at the dentist is to learn to control these voices, so try this exercise now… it may seem odd, but try it as it will work brilliantly for you.

1) Say in your mind something mean about yourself.

Not anything too mean, but something that is important to you and has meaning for you, something like “You’ll never be any good at anything’… you know, the kind of thing we were told as kids and we keep with us as adults.

2) Now take that voice and remove it from your head and imagine it on your shoulder, allow it to keep saying those mean things.

Notice how it seems to have less power now that it is out of your head and on your shoulder

3) Now hold you arm out straight in front of you, put your thumb up vertically, and imagine your voice coming from the tip of your thumb.

As you do this now, notice that even though the words are the same, the power of the voice is weaker.

4) Now give that voice on the tip of your thumb a comedic voice, something really funny and stupid. Allow it to say the same mean things, but allow that voice to say them from the tip of your thumb and in a comedic and funny voice.

Notice this time how the power is completely gone from that voice. Notice how YOU have controlled that voice to take away it’s power.

Now you have realised that YOU are in control of the nagging voice in your head, each time it mentions fear, then place it at the end of your thumb, give it a comedic funny voice and the power of that negative thought has gone.

Tip #7 – Relax with help

Many times it’s easy to offer some form of dental sedation to help with relaxing at the dentist, this is often called sleep dentistry.

Sleep Dentistry

Sleep dentistry is when you have a small injection in the back of the hand or in the crook (front) of your elbow. The intravenously administered drug allows you to drift off into your own world, you will have no memory of what happened afterwards making it an exceptionally great way to have dental treatment.

Dentistry often requires the patient to be conscious during treatment, you may be asked to bite together so that the dentist can see how the teeth meet, sleep dentistry allows you to do this but means you can relax deeply whilst having the treatment.

Sleep dentistry will require you to be taken home by a reliable adult and have that persons stay with you for a little while afterwards.

 

Why is Dentistry so Expensive in the UK

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Why is dentistry so expensiveWhy is dentistry so expensive?

We often get asked this question by friends as well as patients and so we thought it would be a good idea  to write a blog post which highlights the costs involved in dentistry and why it may sometimes seem expensive.

The first thing that is important to point out is that dentistry is NOT expensive,  it is NEGLECT which it is expensive!

If you manage to look after your teeth from a young age, maintaining your dental health to a higher level you should find (assuming you have no congenital reason for any problems) that your teeth and gums remain healthy your entire life.

The advent of dental health and maintenance plans such as Denplan have made dentistry far more accessible with monthly payments as low as £14 per month (Less than the price of a cup of coffee per day), meaning that dental health checks and hygiene appointments  often cost less  than a mobile phone contract…  Something which many people are happy to pay.

Let’s look at some of the costs involved in dentistry.

1. Advanced training.

Did you know that all dentists must carry out at least 250 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every five years, with other dental professionals obligated to carry out 150 hours of CPD?

The General Dental Council recommend a variety of topics:

Those topics are:

  • Medical Emergencies
  • Disinfection and Decontamination
  • Radiography and radiation protection
  • Legal and ethical issues
  • Complaints handling
  • Oral Cancer: Early detection
  • Safeguarding children and young people
  • Safeguarding vulnerable adults

Carrying out this continuing professional development  ensures you have the most highly qualified and trained dental team looking after your dental health. If you want to know which causes your dental team have undertaken please ask to see them, many practices may also displayed clearly on the walls in the patient waiting areas.

2. Holistic dentistry

Dentistry of old was simply focused at looking after your teeth, we now know that bacteria which are involved in dental disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis are also involved in other health conditions such as diabetes and problems with your heart.

It also used to be the case that the dentist would look after each individual tooth as a problem arose. If there was decay in the tooth it would be filled or if the tooth needed to be removed it would be extracted. Modern thinking, materials and training now allows a forward thinking dentist to take into account your entire dentition whenever a single tooth is treated.

Teeth should not be treated in isolation and the complete oral system should always be taken into account including teeth, gums, the bite and oral cancer screening.

3. Using the best materials

A quick and easy way to make dentistry cheaper would be to cut back on materials and used cheap imports. In the UK we are required to use CE marked products.  This guarantees their quality and ensures that everything is traceable and trackable in the event of any future problem.

4. Using the best dental laboratory

Dental laboratory

If you are required to undergo any form of restorative treatment such as dental veneers, crowns, dentures or dental implants it is more than likely that the dental laboratory will be involved. It is possible to purchase dental crowns from overseas laboratories for as low as £15, however this means there is little control over the quality of the restoration all the materials used.

More information about the dangers of using a cheap dental laboratory.

High-quality dental laboratories, understandably, charge a higher fee for producing these restorations which are not only look great  but will last for many years. Using quality craftsmen will always come at a higher cost which ultimately will be passed onto the patient.

5. Cross infection and sterilisation control

In the UK dentists are required by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to run strict cross infection control measures. This very often includes a separate cross infection control area  from the main surgery in the dental practice.. Complying with these controls is absolutely the right thing to do  but having these separate areas and  advanced cross infection control equipment  clearly comes with additional cost.

How to Get Cheap Dentistry

The simplest answer to keep dentistry cheap is to look after your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice per day for 2 minutes each time, using an interdental brush or floss daily and mouthwash  in between brushing and after meals is the best way to keep your dental costs down.

If you enrolled on a dental maintenance plan (typically starting at around £14 per month) this will ensure you have regular dental health checkups and deep cleaning with your dentist/hygienist, coupling this with your excellent home oral health care routine will mean your dentistry costs are considerably lower.

Always remember…

Dentistry isn’t expensive, neglect is.

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Solihull Dental Centre and Implant Clinic are a family dental practice situated in the heart of the Midlands helping the local people maintain bright and healthy smiles.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Sweet Drinks Causing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

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“Using sweet drinks to comfort a baby can be extremely damaging to the babies teeth”,

says our Solihull Dentist, Dr Zubair Sacranie.

There are some toddlers as young as 18 months old that are now losing baby teeth due to decay which is caused by consuming too many sugary drinks.

Whenever we consume sugar it feeds the acid excreting bacteria in our mouth is, what parents often forget is that just because a manufacturer puts ‘no added sugar’ on the label of their product it doesn’t mean that the product contains no sugar. Sometimes fruit juices can contain as much sugar as Coca-Cola!

It’s also not the quantity of sugar that’s a problem with babies, it’s the amount of time that the sugar stays in contact with the teeth. One of the biggest reasons for this is that very young children often drink using a bottle, this keeps the sugary liquid in contact with the teeth far longer than would normally be expected, this then leads to painful tooth decay, often on teeth that are not yet fully erupted.

Allowing your baby or toddler to fall asleep also exacerbates this effect as saliva production, which is the natural neutraliser for the acid, slows down when we going to sleep. This means that acid in the drink stays more acidic and isn’t neutralised.

It can be extremely tempting to use sugary drinks to comfort a baby  or toddler but beware,  you may be causing irreparable harm to their teeth. The modern trend of going for organic, no added sugar or natural is causing many parents to mistakenly believe that it is therefore okay to feed babies these sugar containing drinks.

Here are a few tips to help:

  1. Don’t allow your baby or toddler to fall asleep with a bottle  containing milk formula, fruit juices  or any other drink containing sugar.
  2. Substitute sugary drinks for water from the outset, your toddler will then become used to drinking water and not expect the sugary drink.
  3. Introduce your toddler to a sipping by their first birthday to get rid of the bottle teat which keeps the sugar in contact with the teeth for so long.
  4. Give water as the drink at mealtimes. Your toddler will then become used to drinking water rather than expecting or learning to like the taste of the sugary drink.
  5. Your baby oral health routine should start as soon as the first teeth cut through. Use a soft brush and a rice sized amount of child toothpaste in the early stages and then use a pea sized amount child’s toothpaste as their diet becomes more varied and they naturally consume more sugar.
  6. Bring your child to the dentist when they are between 6 and 12 months old, this will get them used to being at the dentist and we can also offer you any advice about looking after your baby’s teeth.

Do everything you can to get into these habits early on, habits are far easier to form than to break so adopting good habits at the start is certainly the easiest parenting option.

If you would like any more advice about looking after your children’s teeth then please request an appointment at our hygienist and we will be happy to help.