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Not so happy with the state of your teeth? If so, you’re not alone; a study found that as many as four in 10 UK adults share the sentiment. So much so that 47% of the study’s participants said they’ve turned to cosmetic dentistry.

This doesn’t mean that the myth about the British having bad teeth is true, though. Compared to folks in the US, the Brits seem to be better in keeping their teeth. In the UK, the average number of lost teeth is 6.97, while it’s 7.31 in the US.

With all that said, you should learn how to get straight teeth, as a proper bite is essential to your oral health. Crooked teeth, after all, can make you prone to tooth decay and even gum disease.

Ready to familiarise yourself with some of the top methods for straightening teeth? Then let’s get right into it!

How to Get Straight Teeth Even as an Adult

In the UK, about one in three children require orthodontic or teeth-straightening treatment. In line with this, the National Health Service says that the ideal age for kids to have braces is around 12 or 13 years. It’s during this age, after all, that the mouth and jaws are still developing.

During this age, the gums and bones are still soft and pliant. This then makes it easier for orthodontic appliances to move and “adjust” the teeth.

All this, however, doesn’t mean you can no longer get straight teeth as an adult. No matter your age, orthodontic treatment will move your teeth through physiological forces. It will take more time, but still, braces can fix alignment problems affecting adult teeth.

When Do Teeth Start to Straighten With Braces?

It won’t be visible from the get-go, but the teeth begin to move from the very first day of treatment. That’s why it’s normal to feel some discomfort within the first 24 hours of wearing braces. That comes from the pressure that the orthodontic appliance exerts on the teeth and bone.

Depending on the type of braces you get, the treatment may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. This also depends on the severity of your teeth’s misalignment. Recent studies, however, found that fixed braces have an average treatment time of 19.9 months.

Have Braces Worked on Crowded Teeth?

Yes! Teeth crowding is actually one of the most common problems that dental braces can fix. It is, after all, a condition that has an estimated global prevalence of between 30% and 60%.

The “Unnoticeable” Way To Straighten Teeth

As effective as fixed orthodontic appliances are, these “train-track” braces do have drawbacks. Since they’re not removable, you’d need to pay more attention to your oral hygiene habits. Otherwise, your risks for getting cavities will go up.

In addition, you may feel a tad bit shy to wear “train-track” braces, as these are metal appliances.

In this case, one of your best options is to see an Invisalign London specialist. As its name suggests, “Invisalign” is an almost-invisible aligner made of specialised plastic. It’s so clear that other people may not even notice you have them on!

Invisalign is also removable, which then makes it easier for you to keep up with proper oral hygiene. You can brush, floss, and gargle without the constrictions of metal braces.

Invisible Braces Before and After

128 Harley Street Dental Suite is a — you guessed right — Invisalign Harley Street specialist. Our dental team consists of orthodontists specialising in all things braces.

We have a gallery of before and after photos that you can check at your convenience. Please feel free to check these photos out! This way, you can see the difference that our treatments, such as Invisalign, can make.

Buying Retainers to Straighten Teeth Online

Retainers are usually for “retaining” the teeth’s position following a full orthodontic treatment. Like Invisalign, most retainers are also removable. Rather than straightening teeth, they maintain the straightness of braces-treated teeth.

Some people ask us here at 128 Harley Street Dental Suite if retainers alone can fix bite issues. If the teeth misalignment is minor, then the fixed type of retainer may help. These bonded retainers have wires that go at the back of the front teeth.

Cheapest Way to Straighten Teeth in the UK

Invisalign may be the most cost-effective treatment option for straightening the teeth. That’s because the entire quoted price is already for both the upper and lower teeth.

For example, here at 128 Harley Street Dental Suite, our Invisalign treatment plans start at £1,995. This can still go up, depending on how complicated the case is. However, the price that we will quote you already includes all aligners you’ll need to wear.

Let’s say that your crooked or overcrowded teeth are only either on the upper or lower teeth. In this case, our conventional braces may be the most affordable treatment for you. Our treatment programs for fixed braces usually start at £1,495 per arch.

Putting Veneers on Crooked Teeth: Does It Work?

You may have heard that veneers are amongst the top ways on how to straighten your teeth without braces. To a certain extent, they can, such as in the case of minor overlapping or crooked teeth. That’s because these ultra-thin porcelain shells require reshaping the teeth first.

Once reshaped, the veneer then goes on top of the treated teeth. The result is a tooth that mirrors the shape, size, and alignment of the rest of your pearly whites.

How About Dental Bonding to Get Straight Teeth?

Another option to straighten teeth without braces is dental or composite bonding. It involves using resin materials placed in strategic areas of crooked teeth. This then acts as a sort of masquerade to hide minor teeth crookedness.

Opt for Dental Braces to Fix Any Kind of Teeth Alignment Issues

As you can see, there are many ways on how to get straight teeth, but braces are still king. This is especially true if you have severe teeth misalignment. Fixed and removable braces, including Invisalign, can help correct all these teeth issues.

Ready to find out more how an Invisalign in London can help straighten your pearly whites? Then we here at 128 Harley Street Dental Suite can help by giving you a free e-consultation! Get in touch with us now so we can help you decide which treatment is most appropriate in your case.

Dr Stefan Abela

Dr. Stefan Abela
BChD, MFDS, RCS Eng, MSc, MORTH RCS Ed, AHEA, FDS Orth RCS Ed

Stefan is a Consultant in Orthodontics at one of the most prestigious London teaching hospitals; Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust.

Stefan is also a specialist in Orthodontics and is registered on the General Dental Council (GDC) specialist list. Stefan qualified as a dental surgeon in 2003 and underwent further training in various specialties including restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry, oral medicine and complex oral and maxillofacial surgery including the management of facial trauma.