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By: Dr Stefan Abela ceramic braces / clear braces / crooked teeth / teeth straightening / tooth coloured braces No Comments

How Do Tooth Coloured Braces Compare To Other Treatments?

How Do Tooth Coloured Braces Compare To Other Treatments?

If your dentist has told you that you need braces, and you’re not happy with the idea of wearing those conspicuous and uncomfortable metal braces, no need to worry; there are other aesthetically more pleasing and convenient treatment options available for you to choose from. For example, you can get tooth-coloured ceramic braces for your treatment that blend with your teeth and are virtually invisible when worn. So, are you Interested in learning more about ceramic braces? This article explains everything you need to know about tooth-coloured fixed braces.

How Are Ceramic Braces Better Than Metal Braces?

Many prospective orthodontic patients would simply refuse treatment a few years ago because they did not want to wear the unaesthetic metal braces. However, things have changed now. Today, tooth-coloured ceramic braces are available that precisely match the colour and shade of your teeth and hence, they do not make you self-conscious about wearing braces. This is also the most significant advantage of ceramic braces over traditional metal braces. 

Why Is It Necessary To Straighten Your Teeth Alignment?

Our teeth perform several functions. First, they allow us to chew food properly to be broken down into smaller pieces and digested correctly. Secondly, our teeth enable us to pronounce words clearly. Finally, perfectly aligned teeth significantly improve one’s smile and facial aesthetics. If one has misaligned teeth, not only their ability to eat and speak normally will be affected, but they will also have a flawed smile. Therefore, getting your teeth straightened is necessary for cosmetic and functional reasons. 

What Are The Treatments Available For Straightening Teeth?

Modern dentistry offers several orthodontic treatment options and cosmetic treatments to fix tooth misalignment:

Among the fixed orthodontic appliances, these are some of the commonly used. Each brace system consists of brackets that are bonded to the teeth. Your dentist will use elastic bands to attach orthodontic wires to the brackets. Apart from fixed appliances, removable orthodontic systems like clear aligners are also available for straightening teeth. 

What Is The Difference Between Clear Braces And Clear Aligners?

Clear braces is a term used for fixed brace systems that are either made from a transparent or tooth-coloured ceramic material. Regardless of the material, clear braces remain bonded to the teeth and move them through the tension in the orthodontic wires attached to them with elastic bands. On the other hand, clear aligners are removable trays worn over the teeth, just like mouthguards. Clear aligners are designed to sit over the teeth and gradually move them in the desired direction. 

What Are Some Tips For Choosing The Colour Of Your Braces?

When we talk about the colour braces, it usually refers to the colour of the elastic ties.  Did you know that you could make your teeth appear whiter by selecting the right colour of elastic bands? People with yellow teeth should choose dark colours such as royal/navy blue or purple. You may also choose clear or silver-coloured elastic ties. Choosing light colours may cause them to stain quickly, making your teeth look stained. 

What Braces Colour Should One Avoid?

You should avoid getting elastic band colours such as white, yellow or golden. All these colours will make your teeth look yellower and stained. Instead, the idea is to wear dark-coloured bands that contrast with your teeth and make them look whiter. Your dentist or orthodontist can help you select a colour for your elastic bands that makes your teeth look whiter. 

Which Is Better, Ceramic Braces Or Clear Aligners?

Both these orthodontic treatment options have their pros and cons. Fixed appliances like ceramic braces can treat complex orthodontic problems involving the bite. However, they are not suitable for people who have a habit of grinding their teeth, as the ceramic brackets can cause wear of the opposing teeth. On the other hand, clear aligners should be your choice if you prefer comfort and convenience.  

What Colour Braces Should I Get If I Have Yellow Teeth?

The colour of your elastic bands can significantly impact the apparent colour of your teeth. Therefore, you should select an elastic band colour that makes your teeth look whiter. For example,  dentists recommend wearing shades of silver or clear bands for yellow teeth. Alternatively, you may wear dark-coloured elastic bands like dark blue or purple. White-coloured bands should be avoided as they get stained easily and make your teeth appear darker. Similarly, black ties shouldn’t be worn as they have high contrast with your teeth. 

What Is The Advantage Of Ceramic Braces?

Ceramic braces offer several advantages over other orthodontic treatment options; 

 

  • Inconspicuous – unlike traditional metal braces, ceramic braces are made from tooth-coloured ceramics. Therefore, they are virtually invisible, and they won’t affect your smile or appearance. 
  • More Comfortable than Metal Braces – ceramic braces offer superior comfort and convenience over conventional metal braces.
  • Better Option for Forgetful Patients – patients who often forget to wear their aligners for the prescribed duration can benefit from ceramic braces which remain fixed to their teeth. 

 

If you’re considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or a family member, make sure you go to a qualified dental specialist. If you are looking for the best family dental practice in London, 128 Harley Street Dental is the best choice. Whether you need braces or clear aligners for your kids, or teeth whitening for yourself, we offer all dental services at affordable rates under one roof. So, book a new appointment today and let us experienced and skilled dentists do their magic! We look forwards to serving you.

By: Dr Stefan Abela crooked teeth / grinding teeth / orthodontics / retainer / tooth decay No Comments

How To Stop Grinding Teeth?

How to stop grinding teeth

Do you feel soreness in your facial muscles and jaw joints when you wake up every morning? Do you think that your teeth have become sensitive and mobile? If the answer to the above is yes, you may be grinding your teeth excessively during the daytime, while sleeping, or both. But you don’t have to worry; you are not alone. According to the Bruxism Association, teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, affects 8-10% of the British population, most common among 25-44-year-olds. While the habit of grinding teeth can be detrimental to your teeth and oral health, the good news is that bruxism can be easily diagnosed and treated. This article explains everything you need to know about bruxism – diagnosis, causes, and treatment. So, read on to find out more. 

How Is Teeth Grinding Diagnosed?

Bruxism in individuals is most commonly identified by dentists and orthodontists based on patient symptoms and findings of routine clinical checkups. For example, patients who have a habit of grinding their teeth often have sore jaws and facial muscles. Besides, dentists find signs of teeth grinding during routine clinical examinations, which typically include:

  • Flattened tooth surfaces due to excessive wear 
  • Eroding of the enamel leading to tooth sensitivity 
  • Tightness or spasm of the facial and jaw muscles 
  • Difficult or painful mouth opening or closing
  • History of frequent headaches 

Perhaps, the most conclusive diagnostic method for bruxism, according to the Sleep Foundation, is polysomnography. This is a diagnostic test that is designed to determine your overnight sleep pattern. However, polysomnography is time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, it is not routinely performed, and clinical examinations are usually sufficient for diagnosing bruxism. Besides polysomnography, other home-based monitoring tests can also be performed, but they are less accurate. 

How Is Bruxism Treated?

The treatment of bruxism involves eliminating the underlying cause. This is usually done in two phases. In the first phase, your dentist will give you appliances like nightguards to prevent further damage to your teeth. Meanwhile, they will diagnose the underlying issue and perform specific treatments to eliminate it. 

What Are Some Treatments To Cure Bruxism?

As discussed earlier, orthodontists treat bruxism by treating the underlying cause. If bruxism occurs due to an imbalanced bite, dentists or orthodontists typically use appliances known as occlusal splints. According to the Bruxism Foundation, these appliances are the treatment of choice as they reduce the grinding noise and protect the underlying teeth from further damage. The occlusal splints reduce muscle activity associated with night-time bruxism.

However, these appliances are used for symptomatic treatment and do not address the underlying issue. To address teeth misalignment issues that cause grinding, dentists may perform orthodontic treatment to realign the teeth. If the misalignment stems from jaw misalignment, then orthognathic surgery may be needed. Another type of appliance, called the mandibular advancement device (MADs), can also treat bruxism and sleep apnoea. Sometimes, behavioural therapy is also required for patients who grind their teeth due to excessive stress or anxiety. 

Why Do Some People Grind Their Teeth In Their Sleep?

In some instances, bruxism can also be related to sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnoea. In this type of apnoea, patients have several “cycles” of teeth grinding, along with other symptoms like difficulty breathing and suddenly waking up from sleep. Another associated symptom, according to the National Health Service (NHS), is sleep paralysis – a transient situation in which one is unable to move or sleep while awake or sleeping,

Is There A Permanent Solution To Bruxism?

Your dentist will treat bruxism by diagnosing and removing the underlying cause. If the reason is tooth misalignment, then your dentist will treat it permanently with orthodontic treatment. More complex cases involving jaw misalignment are usually treated with orthognathic surgery. This type of surgery is performed to optimally realign the jaws to improve dental function and treat teeth grinding. 

How To Stop Myself From Grinding My Teeth In My Sleep?

There are several ways to treat sleep bruxism. If you feel that you grind your teeth during sleep, you should visit your dentist without delay. They will perform a clinical examination and run tests to determine the underlying cause. Then, based on their fundings, they will prepare a treatment plan for you, sometimes in consultation with your doctor or behavioural therapists. Depending on the issue, they will fix it either through orthodontic treatment, splints, advancement devices, sleep hygiene improvement, or behavioural therapy. 

Do I Really Need A Night Guard For Bruxism?

According to the American Sleep Foundation, night guards are appliances that are worn over the teeth. These appliances prevent the underlying teeth from excessive wear and pressure caused by tooth grinding. Typically, night guards are the first appliances to be given by dentists to bruxism patients to prevent further tooth damage and avoid complications like tooth sensitivity, jaw muscles and joint problems and tooth decay. 

How To Stop My Jaw From Clenching?

Jaw clenching, like bruxism, can also have harmful effects on your oral health. The best way to prevent yourself from jaw clenching is to do jaw and facial muscle relaxation exercises, as advised by your dentist. You should also wear a night guard while sleeping to prevent your teeth from excessive wear and accidental fracture. In addition, your dentist may advise diet and lifestyle changes to decrease stress or anxiety. 

Tooth grinding can have a severely damaging effect on your oral health and physical being. However, the good news is that bruxism can be treated with simple treatments. If you or a loved one suffers from the habit of teeth clenching or grinding, don’t ignore it; let us help them prevent their teeth and smile.

So, book an e-consultation appointment with us today and get a free estimate from us upon full completion. At 128 Harley Dental Suite, we are there to take care of all your dental needs.