Many people choose to have braces to improve the alignment of their teeth and enhance the appearance of their smile, but undergoing orthodontic treatment can also offer additional benefits. Orthodontic treatment improves oral function, alters the overall facial aesthetic and helps to ease issues related to speech and difficulties with oral hygiene.

How will braces change my appearance?

When you have braces, they work to move the teeth to correct issues with misalignment and straighten out problems, such as crooked or crowded teeth. This tooth movement can also affect the overall aesthetic of the face, as the changing position of the teeth also has an impact on the bite, the relationship between the jaws and the teeth. Altering the bite can help to improve symmetry and enhance the profile, especially in cases of severe underbite or overbite. Many people who have a significant under or over bite suffer from a lack of confidence in their appearance as a result and undergoing treatment can have major benefits for both facial aesthetics and self-esteem.

Which braces are best for me?

There are lots of different options out there nowadays and although this is great news for orthodontic patients, it can also make it rather confusing to try and choose the best treatment. Your dentist will be able to offer advice and make recommendations once they have assessed your bite and carried out some basic tests to determine your level of need; they will go through the various options with you and explain how different treatments work and which benefits they offer to help you make a decision. In many cases, the nature of your orthodontic needs will dictate the best kind of brace for you; this is particularly true in cases where a lot of movement is needed.

How can I find out more?

If you are interested in braces, but you’re not sure where to start, contact your dentist and ask to arrange a consultation. During a consultation, you can find out all about orthodontic treatment and what it entails and learn about the different systems available. Your dentist will also be able to give you an idea of the kinds of results you can expect from treatment and show you computer-generated images of what your smile will look like and how your overall face shape will alter during and after treatment.