In this episode Brad talks about teeth straightening.  Teeth straightening has become more popular recently in the quest to preserve tooth structure by moving teeth rather than drilling them. There are many different types of brace such as: Invisalign clear aligners which are very popular, especially for adults – and are removable, metal braces (either on the front or back of teeth), and clear ceramic braces.

Whether you have treatment coming up and want to know more information, or curious about what options are out there for cosmetic dentistry, Lets Talk Teeth with Brad will give you the knowledge you need to make decisions about your dental care and oral health. Presented in an easy to understand way, the purpose of the show is to inform and empower you, the patient, to have the confidence about your treatment and take control of your dental health.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It’s difficult to replicate the beauty of nature so, if possible, we move teeth rather than use veneers. Once they’re in the right place we can treat them to make them look whiter, refine the edges and perfect them.
• The pressure being put onto a tooth will activate a process causing the tooth to move in the direction it’s being pushed. 
• A benefit of ‘train track’ braces are they deliver a consistent, constant pressure to all teeth allowing them to gradually move. The downside is that they are visible.
• Clear aligners are a clear gum shield like retainer that can be removed, so the onus is on you to keep them in to get the quickest benefit. 
• After the straightening has been done, we can work to make the teeth look whiter and more even, because teeth that have been crossed over often wear differently.
• All teeth need to be retained after straightening. Teeth move about over time and you don’t want that. Having a bonded retainer fitted is the best way, but you can also get removable ones that you should wear at night forever, not just for a few years.

BEST MOMENTS

‘As good as dentists and technicians are, we aren’t as good as nature.’

‘Once you become comfortable wearing a brace, the less you notice it.’

‘Now is the perfect time to get a brace fitted because we’re all wearing masks.’

‘Some people want to whiten their teeth but say they don’t want to look like Simon Cowell. He’s got fake teeth, they’re not whitened. Tooth whitening will always look natural.’

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr Brad Thornton is a dentist from Leeds in the UK and owner of Ivory Dental Practice, a private dental clinic focusing on high quality cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, teeth straightening including Invisalign and also private family dentistry. A Dental Phobia certified dentist with a Masters degree in dental implants, he and his team help thousands of people each year regain their smile and their confidence. His approachable and down to earth personality mean people travel from all over the UK and overseas to visit his practice.

CONTACT DETAILS

www.ivory-dental.co.uk 

brad@bradthedentist.com