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Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners

People often get confused when choosing between traditional braces and aligners. As much as this can be a personal choice- it can also be case dependent. Here are a few Pro’s and Con’s you should be aware of when choosing between the two.

Traditional Braces

– Pros

  • Can correct any misalignment.
  • It can’t be removed therefore you can’t neglect its usage.

– Cons

  • Uncomfortable/painful.
  • Food/Drink restrictions.
  • Regular dental visits.
  • Difficult to clean.

Clear Aligners

– Pros

  • Your final results are predicted prior to the treatment.
  • Less dentist check-ups.
  • They are almost Invisible.
  • Can be removed.
  • Can be easily cleaned and you can maintain optimal oral care.
  • Pain subsides shortly after fitting every new step.
  • Comfortable to use.
  • No food/drink restrictions- you can take them off and enjoy your meal!
  • It is very often much faster than metal braces when correcting cosmetic alignment of teeth (usually between 3 to 9 months)

– Cons

  • Not all cases are suitable. It cannot correct major overbites/underbites and excessive crowding.
  • It needs to be worn for at least 22 hours a day.
  • Having the freedom to remove it may lead you to not wearing it as often as you should.

Both Traditional Braces and Aligners are effective treatments when it comes to realigning your teeth. A proper assessment with a dentist is the best way to find out which is more suitable for you.

Check out our website to find out more about our Clear Aligners and Adult Orthodontics.

Chipped, broken, stained and misaligned teeth?

Chipped, broken, stained and misaligned teeth?

Dental veneers might be the answer….

Most of us suffer from imperfections on our teeth such as chipped, cracked, stained, and crooked teeth. At one-point dental veneers were only for movie stars. Now it is available to all.

Dental veneers are the same as natural teeth in form and function. Porcelain veneers try to replicate the look and feel of our natural teeth. You can bite and chew your food as normal and they won’t ever fall out. Porcelain veneers can last a lifetime if you brush and floss regularly (2x a day).

Chipped, broken, stained and misaligned teeth

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are thin layers of composite or porcelain that are placed over the tooth’s surface. Porcelain veneers is the best option of the two as they look natural like your real teeth.

what are dental veneers

What can dental veneers fix?

If your natural tooth or teeth are not severely decayed or missing, then dental veneers or crowns can be a good long-term option. Dental veneers are the only treatment available that can physically change the shape, size and colour of your teeth.

The following are common conditions that can benefit from dental veneers:

  • Broken teeth
  • Chipped teeth
  • Cracked teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Discoloured teeth
  • Undesirably large or small teeth for example, correcting a gummy smile

The veneer process takes just 2-3 visits and can be completed in about 2 weeks or less. This is a much shorter time frame than some other dental treatments like orthodontics which could take up to 2 years.

Chipped, broken, stained and misaligned teeth

The above patient Charmaine visited Silver Oaks Dental Clinic for a full smile makeover. She had previously decayed teeth, tooth loss, teeth protrusion and some of her teeth had the old amalgam fillings. Her heart health was at risk due to the state of her teeth.

Dr Huson’s solution for Charmaine’s teeth included dental crowns and dental veneers. Digital Smile Design and the latest technology was used to craft Charmaine’s smile and simulations offered to her to show her what her potential teeth could look like.

Charmaine was extremely happy with the outcome. She was amazed by her new smile and could not stop smiling from ear to ear!

It was such a pleasure to work with Charmaine – she was a delightful lady who enjoyed telling us a new joke at every visit ! This kept us in stitches as we tried to concentrate on our work..

Call us on to book your appointment today or learn more about our dental veneers procedure.

 

How To Fix The Gaps Between Your Teeth

We get asked this question often at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic ‘How to fix the gaps between my teeth’.

If the gaps between your teeth are making you feel self-conscious then you might want to try and find ways to fix them. Some procedures are cost effective and less time consuming. We discuss them in this article.

Before we get into the details it is important to understand what causes the gaps between your teeth.

gaps between teeth

Gapped teeth which are also called Diastemas are one of the most common dental issues and can result from several issues.

Disproportionality sized teeth – gaps occur when your teeth are smaller than the size of your jawbone.
Oversized tissue between your front teeth called the Labial Frenum prevents your gap from closing. The tissue gets in between your front teeth and prevents your teeth from fusing together.
Thumb sucking – the sucking motion can force your teeth forward creating a gap.
Gum disease – Gapped teeth can also be caused by gum disease. The infection can cause gums and soft tissues supporting your teeth to become damaged.

How do i fix the gaps between my teeth Doctor?

You will need a thorough analysis by your dentist. He/she will need to take an x-ray and analyse your teeth. Your dentist will then come up with the best solution according to your individual needs.

The three options that are available in order to fix the gap between your teeth are, orthodontic braces, dental veneers and dental implants.

Orthodontic braces might be an option depending on the size of the gap. Many people do not like the look of metal braces and the fact that you must wear them for 2-3 years.

There are two other options that you can discuss with your dentist that is a great alternative to metal braces.

Dental veneers are usually the best option. It is a quick procedure usually 2-3 appointments.
Dental veneers are thin, tooth coloured shells that are attached to the front surface of the teeth to improve the appearance. Porcelain veneers are usually the best quality as they look and feel just like your natural teeth.

If you have exceptionally large gaps, then dental implants could be another option. Chat to your dentist and he will be able to offer the best advice.

gaps between teeth

How To Fix The Gaps Between Your Teeth 2fixing the gaps between your teeth 3A recent patient (above) at Silver Oaks Dental wanted to fix the gaps between her teeth. Her main complaint was that she had gaps, chips and some worn down teeth. They were also stained and discolored.

Patient’s front teeth had a gap in between and made her very shy to smile

She came to us with the hope that Dr Huson could help her regain that confidence she had almost lost growing up.

Veneers came to be the best option to fix Keisha’s smile. Not only did veneers close her gaps but it also straightened and whitened her teeth in few easy steps! Porcelain veneers are resistant to staining and mainly used by Dr Huson because of its high durability.

After a hygienist’s cleaning, we made bleaching trays for her upper and lower jaw to whiten it to her desired shade. She wore this for 14 days at home and came in for an hour laser to enhance and brighten her teeth before we started with the designing.

We used the latest in digital technology to design her teeth called Digital Smile Design

Dr Roy -Richard Huson examined her mouth and face and to determine the right fit size and shape of her veneers. We used Digital Smile Designing (DSD) technology and photographs to design the perfect smile for her. Computer imaging and photographic technology will allowed her to visualise her smile before it is even finished!

We made four upper veneers which closed the gaps instantly. She came in to try on her veneers first so that her friends and family could approve and for her to feel and experience the look before we do the finals.

Once she was happy with it, she came in to cement the finals. Her smile is straight without any gaps, brighter and all the chips and cracks restored.

It did not take Kershia long to get used to her new smile because she instantly loved it! She is incredibly happy with the outcome of her veneers. She feels more confident with her fuller teeth and her friends and family love her new look.

We are very thankful we had the opportunity to make a difference in Kershia’s life.

Call us to improve your smile!