Blog

For people who need braces in West Malling, One Smile Oral Care can provide several modern tooth realignment options. Contemporary dental appliances can often be surprisingly discreet, and take less time than you might imagine to achieve the desired results.

Appearance and method

Our friendly team can help you decide which realignment method is most appropriate for you, based on the complexity of your situation and the effect you want to obtain in West Malling. Braces affixed to the front of the teeth can be made of ceramic material that mimics your tooth colour, so they’re difficult to detect except at very close range. Or, with a system like Invisalign, you’ll wear an aligner over your teeth. Because it’s moulded from transparent plastic, the aligner is discreet, and it can be removed when it’s time to brush your teeth or eat, minimising disruption to your everyday routines.

Appropriate approach

At our comfortable practice, our team of dental professionals will help you to settle on the most appropriate treatment for your condition. You might just want to reposition front teeth that stick out too much, or overall dental crowding might mean you’re keen to realign all of your teeth.

Before treatment starts, your dentist will let you know how long it will take to finish. In some cases, this could be as little as six months. For more complex conditions, 18 months or longer might be a more likely duration. And when the braces are off, you’ll probably need to wear a retainer while you sleep, to make sure the teeth get used to their new positions.

Long-term benefits

By choosing to have braces in West Malling, you give yourself a better chance to achieve great oral hygiene. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, because there are fewer awkward spaces in which food particles and plaque can gather. They also function more efficiently, reducing strain on the jaw. And of course, neater smiles look a lot better, which can give you extra confidence about your overall appearance. You’ll enjoy all these improvements for many years to come, after your time wearing braces in West Malling is over.

Early dental intervention for children can be essential for healthy tooth structure later in life. This is why check-ups are so important: as a parent you may not be able to notice if your child’s teeth are crowding, or if they have an overbite or underbite, but an experienced dentist certainly will.

At One Smile Oral Care, we treat many children for alignment issues every year and we urge parents to bring their little ones along with them when visiting the dental practice. Dental issues in children do not just compromise their oral health, but may also have an emotional impact. Unfortunately, kids can be bullied for the appearance of their teeth.

Our experienced dentist, Dr Yasmin George, can detect potential problems with tooth alignment from as early as age five, and early treatment with braces in West Malling can prevent complicated problems from developing in the future.

When is it the right time to visit the dentist?

If you are unhappy with the shape or position of your children’s teeth, you are advised to visit us at One Smile Oral Care as soon as possible. A free initial consultation is available and Dr George has treated many young patients with effective results. She will examine the teeth and the jaw of your child properly and she will determine the cause of the problem.

If the teeth are misaligned due to a bad habit (e.g. thumb sucking), unless the habit is addressed, moving the teeth to their correct position is a waste of time and money. Dr George can assess the problem and provide thumb and finger guard to prevent your little ones from thumb sucking.

If, on the other hand, your children’s teeth are simply out of position, they can be easily straightened with a retainer. Retainers are very effective because they gradually make space in the mouth, broaden the jaw and create space for all the teeth for a natural and healthy smile. If your children’s teeth continue to grow out of their regular alignment, we will recommend braces for fixing the problem permanently.

To learn more about children’s braces in West Malling or book an appointment with Dr George, contact us today.

If you have crooked teeth, then you are probably familiar with feeling less than confident about your appearance. However, teeth that are misaligned, crowded or have large gaps can also cause other problems. Having teeth in the wrong position can affect how you eat and speak as well as the overall health of your jaw. Excessive spacing between the teeth can undermine their stability, and uneven teeth are harder to clean because there are more places for plaque to accumulate. This can cause gum inflammation, discomfort and infection if left unresolved. At One Smile Oral Care, we fit braces in West Malling to realign your teeth, enhance your smile and improve your health.

Solutions for all ages

We like to develop a good relationship with our younger patients and ideally for children in West Malling, braces are fitted when there is still a mixture of baby and adult teeth. This means that the teeth can be realigned while the jaw is developing to avoid problems in the future. However, it is never too late even if you are an adult or have had treatment in the past which has relapsed. Metal braces are a good choice for younger patients as they are more robust, but adults often have different requirements. Advances in technology mean that we are now able to offer our patients in West Malling braces that are more discreet, faster and more comfortable than before.

Modern techniques

We are pleased to offer braces in West Malling that fit into your lifestyle. Invisalign is a system that uses a series of clear plastic aligners. These are changed every two weeks to gently guide your teeth into place. The aligners are almost invisible and very comfortable as they are made from smooth plastic. They are also removeable for eating and cleaning, so do not interfere with everyday life. If you prefer fixed braces, then translucent ceramic brackets can help to minimise their visual impact.

Having braces in West Malling has benefitted so many of our patients and we would like you to share their experiences. Give yourself the gift of a more attractive smile and a healthier mouth by contacting us today to discuss your options.

Braces now come in all sizes, shapes, and colours and there’s a beauty in every one of them. Whatever your dental needs require, braces in West Malling can cater to them. Whether you choose to go for the traditional metal braces, more common among teenagers and children, or the more discreet option where you will need to be up close to someone before they realise you are actually wearing braces.

Braces are always at work. Millimetre by millimetre, day by day, they slowly and gently guide your teeth into their desired position. The timeframe for wearing braces depends on each individual’s circumstances but our dentist will be able to guide you on that during your consultation.

The basics of braces

Braces we provide are comprise little brackets, placed on each individual tooth and attached together with archwires. These archwires are then bent to create an arch shape and as this wire moves back into alignment with the brackets, it moves your teeth along too. The beauty of this system now is that these little brackets are no longer only available in a glaring metal colour, they come in a tooth-coloured variety too, which makes them far less noticeable. Even if you decide to go with metal brackets, you’ll find that they are more refined and smaller than they once were. This is great news for already self-conscious teenagers. So in West Malling, braces themselves have evolved a new look and can help you achieve your new look too.

Care for your children

Not only is it important to start early with regular dental check-ups so your child becomes accustomed to the dentist, but if there are any dental issues it is best to discover them early on. Your dentist will monitor teeth alignment, gums, jaw and bite development. We all want the best for our children and would prefer not to put them through lengthy dental treatments, however in West Malling, braces we provide are designed to make the experience as comfortable and efficient as possible. Furthermore, with straighter teeth it will be easier to keep your children’s teeth and gums in good health, which makes it worth your and their time.

If your teeth are not correctly positioned, they can look unsightly. Crooked teeth can also lead to problems in your mouth. Many people feel self-conscious about their teeth but there is no need as, at One Smile Oral Care in West Malling, braces offer a great way of straightening them. The best time to have treatment is in childhood as this allows the jaw to develop properly and for the top and bottom teeth to function correctly. However, if you are an adult who missed out on treatment, it is never too late. For our patients in West Malling, braces have given people the benefit of a more beautiful smile as well as enhancing their oral health. This is because straighter teeth are easier to clean as there are fewer gaps in which plaque can accumulate. Having braces treatment also ensure stability in the mouth, as all teeth are properly supported which prevents them drifting.

Are metal braces my only option?

We offer a range of braces in West Malling, and although metal braces are often the preferred choice for our younger patients, there are other options available for adults. Even the metal braces are much smaller than they were in the past so they are not as obtrusive. Clear ceramic braces are popular with adults as they are very discreet. There are also clear plastic aligners available which are virtually invisible. For the ultimate in hidden braces, we can also fit your braces behind your teeth. These lingual braces are impossible to see unless someone is looking straight into your mouth.

What should I expect?

Our experienced team will discuss with you the full range of options available in our practice in West Malling. Braces are much more comfortable than before and in some cases can work very quickly. We will check the health of your mouth and resolve any underlying issues before providing you with a brace to meet your needs. Regular check-ups and advice on cleaning and care will ensure that you get the results you want and the support you deserve.

Contact us today and find out how having braces in West Malling could give you more than one reason to smile.

There are certain things that you cannot easily change about your appearance, your ears, your height (or lack of it) and the size of your feet. Other things such as your hair can easily be changed by a quick trip to the hairdresser, and now a few visits to your dentist can take care of your crooked, crowded or gappy teeth by straightening them using braces. West Malling dentists One Smile Oral Care can offer a range of different braces suitable for both children and adults.

All braces work on the principle of applying pressure to your teeth in the direction that they need to move, but all braces do not look the same. Because there is an increasing demand by adults to have their teeth straightened, there are now a range of fixed and removable braces available to suit your personal needs. Although most teenagers still wear the traditional train-track braces fitted to the front of their teeth, and these are much less obtrusive now, most adults are not comfortable wearing this type of product. If you need fixed braces, you may prefer to opt for a ceramic brace with tooth-coloured wires. These are not as strong as the traditional types so are more suitable for adults.

Not seeing is believing

Many well known individuals such as Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise have used another type of brace, often called an aligner to straighten their teeth in the full glare of media scrutiny. The product is called Invisalign and consists of a series of clear, removable aligners that are worn for around 20 hours of each day. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and then changed for the next one. They are virtually undetectable when being worn, and allow you to remove them to eat and clean your teeth and the aligners. This is one of their great advantages, with fixed braces it can be more difficult to maintain a good standard of oral hygiene.

The British Orthodontic Society estimates that up to 75% of all adults may benefit from some level of tooth straightening, so perhaps it’s time for you embrace the idea of straighter teeth and braces in West Malling.

Children can need braces for any number of reasons including crooked, overlapping, or overcrowded teeth, or if they have a ‘bad bite’. This is when there’s a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s called an underbite.

Often, your dentist at One Smile Oral Care in West Malling will be the first to notice problems with your child’s teeth during their regular check-up and will then recommend that you see our specialist who will correct jaw and teeth alignment problems. They will decide whether your child does indeed need braces in West Malling and which devices would be best.

Starting dental check-ups from an early age doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means our specialists will be able to find problems and decide the best time to start treatments.

Types of braces

Braces in West Malling correct alignment problems by putting steady pressure on the teeth, which will slowly move them into straighter and healthier positions.

Most children just need braces with brackets, wires and rubber bands. The brackets attach to the teeth and are connected by a wire and rubber bands. The wire is tightened over time to line the teeth up correctly. We offer rubber bands in different colors to make the process more enjoyable for our younger patients.

Once the braces are fitted, your child will need to visit One Smile Oral Care every few weeks for monitoring and adjustments.

How long will they have to wear braces for?

How long your child will need to wear their braces in West Malling will depend on the severity of the problems we are trying to correct but the average time is around 2 years. After that, your child may need to wear a specially molded retainer consisting of a hard piece of plastic with metal wires or a thin piece of plastic shaped like a mouth guard. The retainers we provide at One Smile Oral Care will ensure their teeth won’t wander back to their original crooked positions.

Have you noticed how many people are wearing braces to have their teeth straightened these days? If you haven’t before, you will now that you have seen it mentioned, then again, perhaps you won’t. Every year 200,000 teenagers and young people start wearing braces which are often hard to miss as they are usually the classic train track type. What you may not have spotted is how many people of all ages that you meet every day are also wearing braces in West Malling.

The reason that you may have not noticed is because the braces that they are wearing are designed to be virtually invisible. The British Orthodontic Society suggests that 75% of all adults would benefit from having their teeth straightened, and now more and more of us are doing just that. There is no doubt how good you feel when your teeth are looking their best. Unfortunately,  even if you have had other treatments to improve their appearance, if your teeth are crooked, crowded or protruding, your smile will not make you feel as positive and confident as you could be.

Braces: your secret to a better smile

All braces work on the same principle, applying pressure to the teeth to gradually move them into a better position over a period of time. Braces can be used in different ways. Depending on your age and your individual dental needs, there are a range of different options available. Because there have been so many advances in the designs and materials used to make braces, there really is an option that will suit everyone. For children, the process may take a year or two to complete, a small price to pay in the long run for a better smile. In the case of adults, some treatments can be completed in about six months.

Apart from the aesthetic benefits of having your teeth straightened, you will also be helping to ensure that your teeth are easily cared for, meaning that they stay beautiful and healthy for longer. Here at One Smile Oral Care in West Malling, braces are helping more of our patients of all ages to face the world with a confident smile.

Crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth are usually easier to fix early in life. In addition, knowing whether your child needs teeth straightening and getting effective treatment can provide peace of mind. Taking action as soon as potential problems are discovered means more severe conditions can be avoided in the future.

In West Malling, a One Smile Oral Care dentist can address the structure of the jaw and teeth while the baby teeth are still in the mouth. This will help control where the permanent teeth will come through. With advances in dentistry, potential problems can be detected from as early as 5 years old.

By age 7, your child’s mouth will have grown with enough sound structure to predict how it will develop as the permanent teeth start to emerge. One Smile Oral Care’s Dr Yasmin George is trained to identify bite issues at an early age and will know when it’s time to explore braces in West Malling.

Braces for teens

The teen years are ideal for braces in West Malling because treatment can be timed with growth to produce optimal results. From conventional metal braces to Invisalign clear braces, there are many options for your teens, depending on whether they want to show off their braces or secretly make that perfect smile for end of school photos.

Clear ceramic braces

A popular alternative, particularly among older teenagers looking for braces in West Malling is clear ceramic braces. These use clear or tooth-colored ceramic brackets. They are a less noticeable than traditional metal brackets. They are also stain resistant, although people who smoke or drink coffee may eventually notice some discoloration.

Ceramic brackets may not be appropriate to correct all kinds of alignment or crowding problems as they can’t withstand as much pressure as metal brackets. Speaking to our dentist will help in discovering whether they are appropriate for your teenager. Ceramic braces in West Malling can be a bit more expensive and sometimes can a take a bit longer than traditional braces to achieve the desired result.

Find out more by calling or emailing our friendly staff today. We will happily arrange for you to see one of our highly trained dentists.

Like losing our baby teeth, wearing braces is a rite of passage for many children these days. The same is not always true for adults and you may have lived with crooked, crossing or uneven teeth for most of your adult life. Not only can unsightly teeth have a major effect on how you feel about yourself, your overall oral health may suffer too. Straight and well aligned teeth are more likely to remain healthy and be easier to care for.

Problems with a misaligned bite can lead to excessive wear and tear on certain teeth, as well as putting unnecessary strain on the joints of your jaw. Here at One Smile Oral Care in West Malling, braces are available for both children and adults. Adult braces are now becoming a very popular option and it is no longer necessary to put up with a less than perfect smile. Perhaps it’s now time for you to invest in a better smile; your future self will thank you.

Getting straight to the point

In the past braces were cumbersome and obtrusive, they were often referred to as train tracks. Thankfully, new technology, modern materials and improved techniques allow us to offer a range of practical and unobtrusive alternatives. At our practice in West Malling, braces really are for everyone. Invisible removable braces and tooth-coloured wires and brackets have proved to be a big step forward. Because they cannot be seen easily, most people will not even notice that you are wearing braces.

For children it is usually necessary to realign the teeth using fixed brackets and wires, although this is not always the case. In the past dentists often had to remove a number of  teeth to make enough room to straighten the rest. Using modern methods it is often possible to expand the jaw and palate to accommodate all of the adult teeth within the jaws.

For adults patients we offer the Invisalign system. This is a series of removable mouth guards. Invisalign braces can be used to address a wide range of orthodontic issues from minor straightening to major realignment. Because these braces are invisible they fit unobtrusively into your everyday life and no one else will need to know that you’re wearing braces in West Malling, unless you decide to tell them.