6 Month Smile
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6 Month Smile is a common short-term orthodontic treatment lasting 4 – 9 months. The average treatment time for most cases is about six months, which gives it the name 6 Month Smile.
It follows the traditional orthodontic treatment system, so it has brackets and wires. However, the brackets are made from clear plastic, with tooth-coloured wires (Teflon coated), which blend with the teeth and are less noticeable.
The 6 Month Smile system is designed for a general dental practitioner to handle the treatment, making it cheaper than orthodontic solutions provided by specialist orthodontists.
After the initial assessment involving the dental practitioner taking your teeth impressions and some records to be sent to the 6 Month Smile laboratory. 6 Month Smiles clear brackets are custom-made to fit the teeth, so the dentist can glue the brackets to your teeth and then fit the tooth-coloured memory wires to gently move the teeth into alignment.
The wires are available in different sets with varying strengths, and treatment often starts with the lowest exerting force for the least discomfort to the patient.
You will have an appointment every 3 – 4 weeks for adjustments as your teeth move, then replace the wire with stronger sets until your teeth are aligned.
Like during Invisalign treatment, you may have minor tooth reduction to create space between your teeth for a crowded jaw. This procedure is also known as interproximal reduction (IPR). It is an easier and more conservative option than pulling out the teeth and causes no discomfort, pain, or damage to the teeth.
The 6 Month Smile initiates rapid and fast teeth movement. It mainly focuses on moving the crown of the teeth but doesn’t move the roots of the teeth, which makes the treatment shorter and faster than traditional braces, which take 18 – 24 months.
Short-term orthodontic treatments like 6 Month Smile focus on the position of the crown and therefore may have a higher risk of teeth relapsing.
6 Month Smile is an effective orthodontic system for rapid teeth alignment and movement, but making slight changes at the end of the treatment may not be possible. On the other hand, Invisalign can give better fine-tuning of teeth alignment when treatment ends.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is easier with Invisalign aligners as they are removal for brushing and for dental checkups and hygiene visits.
With 6 Month Smile, there is always a risk of the brackets coming off, and requires more visits to the dentist than Invisalign treatment.
The cost of 6 Month Smile treatment depends on different factors. Payment options are also available to make the treatment more affordable.
Contact Kingston Orthodontics today at 0203 002 2501 for more information about the difference between 6 Month Smile treatment and other brace options.
Spread the cost of any treatment
We are here to help you achieve the perfect – and affordable – smile so please talk to us about our popular interest-free payment plans. Spread the cost and relax – secure in the knowledge that your treatment will take place on time and on budget.