FAQs about Six Month Smiles®

Can anyone of any age undergo treatment with Six Month Smile® braces?

Six Month Smile® braces are suitable for anyone over 15 years of age who is in good dental and periodontal health. Six Month Smiles® can provide a solution for patients who have crooked, protruding, overlapping, misaligned or unevenly-spaced front teeth.

It is ideal for patients whose malocclusion cannot be easily rectified through the use of aligners or retainer-style braces. Safe and effective, Six Month Smiles® are available from accredited cosmetic dentists throughout the UK and have been proven to straighten teeth quickly, gently and discreetly.

Although Six Month Smile® braces are suited to treating the majority of orthodontic problems, they may not be suitable for people with severe orthodontic problems, especially those which affect the back teeth.

Why is treatment so much faster than with other orthodontic devices?

Fast and effective, Six Month Smile® braces act by straightening those teeth which are most often seen by others when you smile. Focusing on the front region of the mouth helps to shorten treatment times quite considerably, sometimes by as much as 75%. This often makes it a more affordable and appealing option for those unwilling to undergo the expense and inconvenience of intensive orthodontic treatment, which can last for up to 3 years.

I am worried about my appearance. Why can't I opt for clear or removable aligners instead?

Not every patient is suited to treatment with removable, aligner-style braces, which have been designed to treat only minor orthodontic problems. As a result, treatment time in more complicated cases can end up being very long and protracted, especially where individual teeth protrude and need to be treated differently to those surrounding it. Six Month Smile® braces, don the other hand, allow dental practitioners to target each tooth individually so that every tooth can be brought into line as quickly and effectively as possible. This helps to maximise the effectiveness of the treatment, meaning you will only have to wear the braces for a short time to get fantastic results.

What's more, Six Month Smile® braces have been designed to be discreet. Their special compact clear brackets and fine, tooth-coloured wires mean that they are much less obvious than traditional wire braces.

What can I expect to pay for having Six Month Smile® braces?

Every case varies slightly due to individual requirements, but generally you can expect to pay between £2000 and £3000 - which is still less than you would pay for traditional orthodontic treatment. At Devonshire Dental Care in Glasgow, we are happy to discuss potential costs at the initial cosmetic dental consultation prior to commencing with any treatment. We also offer a range of affordable 0% dental payment plans for those who do not qualify for state assistance and/or who would like to spread out the cost of their treatment.

Will I experience any discomfort or complications during treatment?

As with any form of orthodontic treatment, it is natural for patients to experience some level of discomfort. However, Six Month Smile® braces have been designed using the latest technology which helps to keep any discomfort to a minimum due to the low forces employed. Because Six Month Smile® brackets are small and wires fine, the likelihood of lip chafing or cheek rubbing is also reduced.

Often patients will find that they initially suffer from some pain or tenderness, especially after adjustments have been made or when the braces are fitted for the first time. However, these symptoms are temporary and can be successfully minimised by taking painkillers. Speech can sometimes be affected at first but this usually disappears after about a week.

Research has also shown that wearing braces can temporarily affect gum health due to food getting stuck in between wires and brackets, so it is very important that you are in good periodontal health prior to treatment and that you clean your teeth regularly whilst wearing braces. Often risks can be minimised by using special orthodontic toothbrushes and mouthwashes. Speak to your dentist or oral hygienist to find out more.

How can I ensure that my teeth don't move back again after treatment?

Retention of some kind is usually required with almost every type of orthodontic treatment to make sure that orthodontic relapse does not occur. Patients can often choose between permanent retention, which involves cementing a wire onto the back of the teeth, or wearing a removable retainer at night, depending on what suits their lifestyle better.