When you’re receiving orthodontic care, the underlying goal is to eliminate imperfections in the alignment and position of your teeth. Your dentist uses years of training and experience to achieve these goals safely and quickly. Orthodontic treatment comes with various complications, some taking years to achieve. However, this doesn’t account for all forms of orthodontic care. Other treatments can be accomplished quickly, taking only a few months. This has led to the creation of minimally invasive approaches to provide these results easily and quickly.
Investigating Your Short-Term Orthodontic Options
There was a rising demand for patients seeking corrections for minor dental issues involving malocclusion. This demand led to the development of short-term orthodontic solutions that could achieve these goals in a short amount of time. This means less time invested in the treatment and less time for the patient to be fitted with uncomfortable orthodontics. This has made them more affordable and more desirable for patients seeking this kind of care.
This new approach has improved patients’ ability to be proactive about oral health. Reduced costs and less reliance on traditional orthodontic treatments, such as bracket and wire braces, made the prospect more attractive. The benefits of this kind of treatment aren’t one-sided, either. Dentists can better provide a broader range of services suited to the patient’s needs.
Common Approaches To Short-Term Orthodontics
- Six-Month Aligners – These aligners are designed to achieve results within six months. This is a common approach when minor adjustment of the teeth is required. While they are called six-month aligners, more complicated cases may require up to two years.
- Six-Month Clear Brace Wires – Similar to the above, these braces also use a traditional design involving brackets and wires. However, the components are made of a clear material that makes them difficult to identify on the patient’s teeth.
- Tooth-Colored Fixed Braces – Another variation on the traditional braces, these are composed of a special material similar in color to your enamel. They require no more time than the above two examples but are harder to see.
- Sectional Lingual Braces – This orthodontic appliance is affixed to the interior part of the teeth. This makes them all but invisible to the outside observer. However, they cannot provide the same amount of force as the above braces and may require more time to achieve their goal.
Your dentist may also suggest that clear aligners may work for you. Unlike the above styles, these are removable plastic trays that snap into place over your teeth. Once in place, they begin working to adjust your smile and eliminate misalignment and malocclusion. They can even be removed for up to two hours a day so that you can easily eat and perform oral hygiene.
Ask About Short-Term Orthodontics From Your Dentist
Every dental office provides its own variety of orthodontic appliances. Reach out to yours for an orthodontic consultation. You may discover that you can achieve your desired smile faster than you ever dreamed. Give them a call today!
