6 month smiles dentist - Fact or Fiction

noel123ie

Hi all,

Im hoping to get braces and looking to get this guy based in Cork to have a look at suitability for braces

Has anyone gone to see a practise promising these and do they work

Are they as permanent a fix as braces and are there promises achievable?Seems too good to be true?

Thanks all
Noel

kkth0360

Hi,

“6-month braces” and others such as “6-month smiles” and “Accelerated orthodontics’ are trademarked terms, used mainly by general dentists (often so-called “cosmetic” dentists) to market this type of limited orthodontic treatment to their patients. The dentist typically attends a 1 or 2-day course run by the marketing company, to learn the basics of how to carry out the treatment, and how to market it and sell it to their patients.

The brackets and wires used are exactly the same type as are used for any other type of fixed orthodontic treatment; the only differences are in the aims and objectives of the treatment, and the quality of the results (and of course the time that the braces are left on for). The teeth don’t move any faster – with standard orthodontic treatment, the teeth are usually fully aligned and levelled by 6-8 months into treatment. The remainder of the typical 18-24 month treatment involves correcting the bite and ensuring that the positions of the teeth in all 3 dimensions are correct to ensure optimal function, aesthetics and long-term stability. With the limited type of treatment, the braces are simply removed as soon as the teeth are reasonably well (but not perfectly) aligned and the bite etc. is accepted as it is.

Most specialist orthodontists will offer this as an option in suitable cases, where a patient has declined a more comprehensive course of treatment for whatever reason. However, an orthodontist doesn’t call them 6-month braces!

If you feel that comprehensive treatment definitely isn’t for you, I would suggest that you speak to a properly trained registered specialist orthodontist and ask whether they feel that simple alignment would be a viable option in your case. If you decide to go for simple alignment, you should find that it costs a lot less than comprehensive treatment – typically about €1500 for upper teeth only, or €2500 for top and bottom – since it takes up less of the orthodontist’s time than a full course of treatment (Some “6-month” guys charge almost as much as a full course of treatment would cost, up to €4000 or so, although you might get some “free” tooth whitening afterwards!).

Whichever type of treatment you decide on, you will need to wear retainers (which may be fixed or removable) afterwards, to maintain the results and prevent unwanted movement of your teeth.

Hope this helps

noel123ie

Hi

Thanks for all the info

What I was looking for is information from people who had used this method and there opinion on it and also if this will last ie the teeth will remain straight long after treatment

Im not after a quick fix and will consult with a number of orthodontists before I decide on treatment plan that is right for me

Many Thanks
Noel

day dreamer

Hi Noel

I would agree with what has been said by KKth0360 and it is always wise to get further opinions until you are happy with the proposed treatment.

littlecat

Hi there,

I had my "6 month braces" removed fairly recently - completed in just over 5 months - and am delighted with the results. The treatment was carried out by my regular dentist. My issue was a couple of teeth starting to go crooked due to crowding to the front; a lot of people couldn't understand my need for them at all but I had always had perfect teeth and was very self-conscious of the crookedness.
I was told that they are not suitable for bite issues - I didn't have this anyway - but once the teeth were in place the bite at the sides was corrected with elastics.
I found the first 4 weeks very uncomfortable and achy, and couldn't eat anything really hard for the duration but otherwise the only discomfort was at the monthly wire change.
I now have a wire retainer behind the front 6 teeth top and bottom which can't be seen (and I am only slightly aware of it now) to keep the new positions.

No complaints at all, for the issue I had it was the perfect solution.
I can now do this in photos -

braceface22

Hi I'm currently being treated with 6 month braces and keeping a blog for anyone interested in the process http://6monthsmile.wordpress.com/