When you think of braces the image that probably springs to mind is an awkward looking teenager with metal braces on their teeth, but times they are a-changing. Thanks in part to social media and reality TV programmes adults are now increasingly likely to seek out a straighter and whiter smile than ever before. In fact, according to recent statistics from The British Orthodontic Society, 80% of private orthodontic treatments carried out are for patients aged between 26 and 55.

Why the increase?

In short, this is probably all down to the increase in people looking to achieve the Hollywood smile. With a huge focus on celebrity culture more and more of us are looking to improve our personal health, wellbeing and appearance. Reality TV shows and social media have also helped to reinforce an image of perfect teeth making more adults turn to cosmetic dentistry procedures to improve the look of their smile and emulate their favourite celebrities.

Appearance of braces

One of the biggest changes in orthodontics is that patients are no longer limited to traditional train track style metal braces. In fact, modern alternatives such as those made by Invisalign are practically invisible. This means that they can be worn during the day without anyone noticing. And, it’s not just vanity that is making modern orthodontics more popular.

Comfort levels

Comfort is another reason why teeth straightening is now becoming a popular choice with adults. Those who have been plagued with crooked teeth are now able to get modern orthodontics such as the Invisalign braces which are comfortable to wear. With no wires or metal plates bonded to your teeth, the Invisalign braces are also non-invasive which further helps to add to their comfort.

Speed of treatment

Another benefit of modern orthodontics is the speed of treatment. While you may remember childhood braces taking years to correct crooked teeth, methods such as Inman Aligners can achieve great results in just 6 to 18 weeks. The speed, comfort and appearance of orthodontics are all reasons why teeth straightening is one of the most common cosmetic procedures chosen by adults.

Visualised treatment plan

Modern technology also allows for 3D scanning of your teeth to create a visual picture of how your teeth will look following treatment. As well as results the software will also help dentists to predict the time that your treatment will take and how many appointments will be needed to get the desired results. As we said, dentistry has come on a long way in modern times and orthodontics is just one area where this is very obvious to patients.

Treatment options

There are many different treatment options when it comes to orthodontics, but the available options are largely dependent on the level of correction needed. This is something that your dentist will be able to discuss with you and work out a suitable treatment plan based on what you are looking to achieve. Orthodontics can also be combined with other cosmetic dental treatments to help you create the perfect smile.

Some common types of orthodontics available include:

Clear aligners – Invisalign is the best known clear and removable aligner and is extremely popular including with celebrities such as Justin Bieber. They are easy to clean, almost invisible and comfortable to wear.

Metal braces – While the principles remain the same modern metal braces are much smaller than traditional braces. They can also be customised with coloured bands to make a statement while helping you get straighter teeth.

Ceramic braces – Like there metal counterparts, ceramic braces have the same power as traditional metal braces but thanks to their colour are much less noticeable.

Lingual brackets – Placed on the back of your teeth, lingual brackets will help pull your teeth into position while offering a discrete solution.

Undoubtedly, we’d all like to hold onto our natural teeth for as long as possible. If you practice good oral hygiene, avoid food and drinks that cause tooth decay and visit your dentist for regular check-ups, you might just be able to. There are, however, many reasons why some patients will eventually require dentures. Luckily dentistry has evolved significantly, meaning that there is a variety of comfortable and discreet prosthetic options available should it become necessary to remove painful or damaged teeth.

Most of us have occasionally clenched our jaws in a tense situation – studies suggest that this is an emotional response to lifestyle factors such as stress and anxiety. But what do you do if you are excessively grinding your teeth, not just in your waking hours, but also at night?

After lengthy orthodontic treatment, you’ll want to do everything possible to maintain your newly formed smile. Retainers are non-negotiable if you’d like to ensure that your teeth do not return to their former crooked state.

Innovative and clinically proven to be effective, Invisalign is a tried and tested way to transform a smile. These near-invisible aligners are designed to make it simple to correct issues, such as an open bite, gapped teeth or a cross bite, with minimum disruption. They are not only effective but have a number of lifestyle benefits too, for example, they are easily removable. If you’re considering choosing Invisalign then there are some very good reasons to go for it.

Orthodontics is a versatile and effective way to help correct dental issues. From something as simple as a mild overbite to overcrowding or gapping, orthodontics work can help to minimise dental problems. It’s an important option to consider, whether for you or for your child because untreated orthodontic issues can lead to a wide range of uncomfortable problems, from difficulty speaking and chewing to bone loss and pain. If you’re considering orthodontic treatment, when is the best time to start?

Many people are nervous when it comes to visiting the dentist – at Smile Pad we are used to helping nervous patients handle their experience. We believe that a combination of excellent treatment and an awareness of the potential obstacles for nervous patients make it much easier to overcome fear of the dentist for anyone. Years of experience have shown our dentists how to look after nervous patients and we have developed a range of solutions to help put patients at ease.

The tooth fairy is a rite of passage for most of us whereby – as children – we get a financial reward for each baby tooth that falls out. It can be a fun tradition for families to enjoy with children – as long as we still remember just how important it is to look after baby teeth.

Dental needs and issues change throughout our lives and the attention and treatments that are required will also differ from those at one point in their lives to others at a different stage in their lives. Growing older brings its own set of very specific dental problems that it’s important to be aware of – these are some of the most common.

If you’re about to start a new university term, dental health is probably the last thing on your mind. However, the decisions you make now will have an impact on the health of your teeth and gums in the future. Making sure you look after your dental health now, no matter how many distractions there are, will ensure that you don’t suffer the consequences after you graduate.