Tag: braces

Clear Ceramic Braces – Are They The Best Option?

Posted on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 at 8:20 am by Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge.

If you have misalignment or crooked teeth that affect your self-esteem and smile, orthodontic treatment is the answer to your problem. However, when we talk about orthodontic treatment, the first thing that comes to mind is the metal braces – which most people do not like because of their discomfort and metallic appearance. Thankfully, metal braces are not the only orthodontic treatment option available these days. If you are looking for convenient and comfortable braces that are not visible whenever you speak or smile, ceramic braces are a good option.

Ceramic braces are similar in design and work the same way as traditional ones; the only difference is that they are made from tooth-coloured material, making them much more aesthetically pleasing than conventional ones. This article explains everything you need to know about ceramic braces so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to selecting the right option for your orthodontic treatment.

What Is The Difference Between Clear Braces And Clear Aligners?

While both clear braces and clear aligners are cosmetic orthodontic treatment options, they are different in various ways. First, clear braces are made from tooth-coloured ceramic, while the clear aligners like Suresmile are made from a transparent flexible polymer. Secondly, clear braces remain fixed to your teeth while the aligners are removable. Finally, the clear braces align teeth through the orthodontic wires – which connect the teeth and generate pressure that moves them. On the other hand, the clear aligners are designed to sit on the teeth and generate forces to move them accordingly.

Are Damon Braces And Ceramic Braces The Same Thing?

Both the ceramic and Damon braces are cosmetic orthodontic treatment options that rely on tooth brackets. However, they do differ from each other in various ways. First, the ceramic braces have ties that hold the orthodontic wire and connects it with the brackets. On the other hand, Damon braces do not contain ties or elastics. Instead, they have self-ligating brackets. This makes the Damon braces effective in treating misalignment and allows for improved oral hygiene due to the absence of the ties. Furthermore, Damon braces are available in two versions: metal and clear braces. On the other hand, ceramic braces are made from dental porcelain.

What Are The Different Types Of Clear Braces?

“Clear braces” is a broad term that encompasses various orthodontic treatment options. Broadly, there are two main types of clear braces:

removable
fixed.

Removable clear braces consist of orthodontic aligners such as Invisalign, Suresmile and Clearsmile while fixed clear braces constitute different types such as ceramic and Damon clear braces.

Is Invisalign or Suresmile Really Better Than Braces?

Every orthodontic treatment option has its own merits and demerits. If we consider the overall esthetics, then clear aligners aligners are certainly better than the conventional braces. However, if we consider the efficiency and the scope of orthodontic problems that can be fixed, then fixed braces are expected to offer better results. Your orthodontist will recommend a suitable treatment option for you after careful examination and treatment planning.

What Is More Painful, Braces Or Invisalign?

All orthodontic systems cause some level of discomfort. This is because discomfort is an indication that your teeth are moving and your treatment is progressing accordingly. However, braces wearers often complain of moderate pain, especially a few days after getting their braces or having them tightened. Besides, the sharp edges of the braces often cause soft tissues and make speech difficult. On the other hand, the Invisalign and Clear Smile aligners are designed to fit precisely over your teeth and exert gentle forces to move them without causing significant pain.

How Can I Remove My Ceramic Braces At Home?

Whether you are wearing ceramic, lingual or conventional braces, all these braces are fixed, meaning you cannot remove them at home. The ceramic braces are bonded to your teeth with a strong adhesive, and they don’t typically fall off. Only your dentist can remove them once your treatment has been completed. In case one of your ceramic braces accidentally falls off, you can get it rebonded by visiting your orthodontist.

Do Clear Braces Stain? How Can You Prevent It If So?

Like other ceramic dental prostheses such as porcelain crowns and veneers, ceramic braces can also get stained. However, these braces mainly stain either because of the intake of strong coloured food and drinks or poor oral hygiene maintenance. Therefore, the best way to prevent staining of the ceramic braces is to ensure optimal oral hygiene – by making sure to brush and floss daily as recommended by the American Dental Association.

How Long Will It Take For Braces To Straighten My Teeth?

How long your treatment will take depends mainly on the severity of your problem and the orthodontic system your dentist uses to realign your teeth. Generally, mild issues can be corrected with braces within 6-8 months, while highly complex and complicated problems may take 24 months.

What Are The Teeth Straightening Options For Adults?

Today, age is not a limiting factor to getting your teeth straightened. So whether you are sixteen or sixty years old, you can get your teeth straightened. For adults, several options for straightening teeth are available:

Traditional metal braces
Lingual braces
Ceramic braces
and removable Clearsmile aligners.

Your orthodontist will recommend the most suitable option for you based on your oral health and orthodontic treatment needs.

Can I Get Ceramic Braces On My Lower Teeth?

It may not always to possible to have ceramic braces fitted on the lower teeth. This is because ceramic braces cause significant wear of the opposing natural teeth. If you have a “deep bite” – one in which there is excessive vertical overlap between the front upper and lower teeth when they come in contact – then your dentist may suggest an alternative orthodontic option.

Finding a gentle dental orthodontic practice is not easy. If you are living in Ballsbridge, Pembroke Dental should your first choice. Apart from a top-notch therapeutic and diagnostic system, we boast a team of highly experienced dental professionals who are there to take care of all your dental problems. So, book a free consultation today to get rid of your misaligned and crooked teeth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

What You Can And Can’t Do With Invisalign?

Posted on Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 at 9:24 am by Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge.

Are you thinking about teeth straightening with Invisalign aligners? An excellent decision. Invisalign aligners have become one of the most preferred orthodontic treatment options worldwide due to their comfort and ease of use. But before you make a decision, it is best to learn more about clear braces treatment.

This article will help you understand the dos and don’ts of clear aligner therapy so that you can make the most out of your orthodontic treatment.

And, just so you are fully aware, there are also other types of clear Aligner such as SureSmile which is often more cost effective than Invisalign… So continue reading to find out more.

Can You Smoke With Invisalign?

Smoking is not only harmful to your physical health, but it can also affect your dental health. More importantly, it is not a good idea to smoke while undergoing aligner therapy. Nicotine, being the major constituent of cigarettes, can damage the structure of your clear aligners besides staining them. According to the British Orthodontic Society, nicotine and other cigarette ingredients can harm one’s oral healthy by damaging the periodontal tissues, slowing down tooth movement, and increasing the risk of oral cancer. However, if you cannot control your urge to smoke during aligner treatment, best do it while not wearing them. The heat generated from the cigarette alone is sufficient to warp and de-shape the aligners.

Can You Drink With Invisalign?

The best thing about clear aligners is that you can remove them whenever you wish to eat or drink something. While there is no harm in drinking water while wearing Invisalign aligners, it is not recommended to consume any other drinks such as milk, soft drinks, and alcohol. This is because, on the one hand, these drinks may stain your aligners, while on the other hand, they may penetrate beneath the aligners and stick to your teeth, causing teeth cavities. That is why it is always better to remove your aligners before drinking or eating anything.

Can You Eat Food With Invisalign?

The Invisalign aligners are not designed to help with chewing food. If you eat anything with your aligners, it may crack them or change their shape permanently. That is why the manufacturers of Invisalign aligners recommend removing them before you eat or drink anything and putting them back on only once you have washed them with lukewarm water.

Can You Brush Your Teeth While Wearing Invisalign?

The idea behind burying and flossing is to remove the food deposits that promote plaque and tartar accumulation that can cause various dental problems like teeth cavities and periodontal issues. If you brush your teeth while wearing your aligners, you would only be cleaning your removable aligners and not your teeth. Besides, the abrasives present in the toothpaste can also damage your aligners. Hence, you should always remove your aligners before brushing your teeth.

Do You Really Have To Wear Invisalign For 22 Hours?

For optimal tooth alignment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends wearing your aligners, including Sure Smile for at least 22 hours each day – removing them only for eating, speaking and oral hygiene maintenance. The reason is that the longer you wear them each day, the more pressure the aligners will exert on your teeth and move them in the desired direction, thereby reducing your treatment time. So, the best practice is to wear your aligners each day for as long as you can.

How Many Times A Day Can I Remove Invisalign?

Invisalign aligners are most effective when they are worn for maximum duration each day. While there is no restriction to the number of times you can remove your aligners in a day, you must ensure that you wear them for at least 22 hours. Apart from that, there is no harm if you remove the aligners for either eating, drinking, brushing or flossing. If you remove your aligners frequently, there is a higher chance that you forget to put them back on, which can significantly affect your treatment progress.

Foods To Avoid With Invisalign Attachments

Perhaps the most significant advantage of the Invisalign aligners is that they allow you to eat all your favourite foods, unlike the metal braces that have a long list of foods you must not eat. Since the Invisalign aligners are removable, you can simply take them off while eating or drinking and enjoy all types of foods and drinks. However, when you have finished eating, make sure to clean your aligners with lukewarm water before putting them back on.

What Are Some Tips For Getting Used To Braces?

Wearing braces for the first time can be an overwhelming experience for some people. Whether you are wearing fixed braces or Invisalign aligners, you may feel something additional placed in your mouth. Initially, braces and aligners may cause discomfort and pain that can be managed by taking pain medication. If your braces are impinging on your cheeks, you can cover the sharp edges with utility wax or sugar-free chewing gum. You should also avoid sticky and hard foods if you are wearing braces, as they can dislodge the brackets.

If you are looking for an aesthetically pleasant, comfortable, and convenient option for straightening your teeth, Invisalign aligners should be at the top of your list. At Pembroke Dental Balsbridge in Dublin D4, we offer all types of orthodontic treatments to our esteemed patients. No matter how complex your problem is, we have the expertise, skill and equipment to fix it.

So, what are you waiting for? Book a free consultation appointment with us today, and let us give you a set of perfectly aligned teeth and a beautiful, healthy and lasting smile.

Dental Health, Orthodontics, Tooth Whitening

Great Results with Short-Term Braces

Posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2016 at 9:14 am by Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge.

We’re often asked many of the same questions by patients who come in for our free orthodontic consultations: “what are my options?”, “what kind of results can I expect?”, and “what will it cost?” While nothing can replace the one-on-one advice you can get at a visit with Dr David Keenan here at Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge, here are the topline answers to these frequently asked questions!

What types of braces are available at Pembroke Dental?

The best thing about short-term orthodontic treatment at Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge is that we provide every type of system available – Six Month Smiles, Inman Aligners and invisible braces (clear aligners) – and we can combine different systems if needed. This is different from some other practices who will simply offer the only system they provide. Plus we have years of experience with all our systems.

Whether your main concern is about how long treatment will take or how noticeable your braces will be, we have a solution. Some braces are worn for as little as a few weeks, while others are invisible and not noticeable during a typical face-to-face conversation.

Details about Six Month Smiles, Inman Aligners and invisible braces (clear aligners) are on our website. Each system has its particular advantages, whether it’s getting results quickly or being as discrete as possible. The most appropriate solution for your case will depend on your individual circumstances. Why not contact us today for a free consultation with Dr Keenan and find out which braces are suitable for you*?

What results can be expected? Before and after pictures – some great results.

While it’s well and good to talk about straightening your teeth, nothing beats seeing actual results! Here are some examples of results achieved with patients who underwent treatment in Pembroke Dental in the last year:

Six Month Smiles

Beverly, age 35, Before & After

This patient presented a challenging case but in just six months we achieved a result she is very happy with. She was fitted with Six Month Smiles on her upper and lower arches and followed by a course of at-home whitening treatment (which we offer for free to patients who are having this Six Month Smiles treatment). Dr Keenan adds: “We complimented this with some composite bonding to even the shape of her upper front teeth. This is something that we occasionally undertake after orthodontic treatment to achieve the best possible cosmetic result”.

Invisible Braces (clear aligners)

Emma, age 25, Before & After

This lady was concerned about her lower teeth which were overcrowded. We used a combination of clear aligners on her upper arch and an Inman Aligner on her lower arch, followed by at-home teeth whitening to achieve this result in just five months. Dr Keenan says “The clear aligner system is a great compliment to the Inman Aligner. Excellent results can be achieved very quickly”.

Inman Aligners

Michelle, age 21, Before & After

This patient was bothered by a relapse in her upper teeth, having had orthodontic treatment as a teenager. She was only concerned with fixing her lateral incisors which stuck out. “The Inman Aligner is the ultimate orthodontic appliance for cases that require simple movements to align crooked front teeth,” according to Dr Keenan. In just three months the upper front teeth were straightened using an Inman Aligner. (This patient decided not to avail of 50- off whitening treatment after finishing with braces, which we offer to patients having Inman Aligner treatment).

What are the costs involved?

Many patients are worried that orthodontic treatment will be very expensive. In fact, many tell us that they wanted to get braces when they were younger but their families couldn’t afford it. Now they want to go ahead themselves and get braces but they’re worried that it will cost a fortune and by the time they’ve saved up for it, it will be too late!

Firstly, be reassured that it’s almost never too late to get braces. And secondly, you don’t need to wait until you have the full cost saved up and pay it all in one lump sum. The initial consultation is free of charge, so it will cost you nothing to come in for a chat with Dr Keenan and ask him any of your questions about orthodontic treatment and short-term braces.

At Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge we also offer interest free finance over the course of your treatment. This means we take a deposit at the first treatment appointment and we’re happy for you to pay the balance of your fees at your visits over the course of your treatment – it’s like repaying a bank or credit union loan but without the interest added!

Another major concern patients come in with is that of ‘hidden’ costs. Fear not! The prices of our treatments are listed on our website for anyone to read. At Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge Dr Keenan will explain the treatment plan and associated costs to you clearly and simply. Dr Keenan may also recommend some complementary treatments to you, such as a visit to the dental hygienist or a retainer at the end of treatment. These are to make sure you get the best results from your orthodontic treatment and are happy with the results. In fact, with Inman Aligner treatment at Pembroke Dental Ballsbridge we offer a 50- discount on teeth whitening, or you can get free teeth whitening when you opt for Six Month Smiles on both upper and lower teeth.

You can also claim tax relief on orthodontic treatments going back four years. You may already be familiar with the Med 1 form for medical expenses, but a Med 2 form also exists for certain dental treatments, including braces. You can claim tax relief at the standard rate of 20-. Some patients complete this online through the Revenue website, but if you would like us to do the Med 2 form for you at the end of your treatment, please ask!

What’s the follow up?

Patients also ask how long they can expect the results of their orthodontic treatment to last. The answer to that is indefinitely, once you comply with any follow-up advice, such as fitting a bonded retainer or wearing your removable retainer consistently.

Do you have any other questions about short-term adult orthodontics? Read more on our website or contact the office by email or phone 01 6683242 for a FREE consultation with Dr Keenan.

*In a small number of cases short-term orthodontics are not suitable for an individual patient. In these cases Dr Keenan is more than happy to refer patients to a specialist orthodontist to explore other more appropriate treatment options.