Ceramic Braces
Cost £1,000.00
Which is better metal or ceramic braces?
Ceramic braces are fitted to the front of your teeth, and consist of subtle, clear or tooth coloured brackets with metal wires running through them. Compared to metal braces, ceramic braces are an attractive alternative because they are simply much less noticeable. The brackets are a similar size and shape to metal brace brackets however they are clear or tooth coloured and so blend in more.
Some people have ceramic braces if they are not suitable for Invisalign treatment (due to having more extreme irregularities of the teeth) but still, want to look good during treatment.
Ceramic braces are also sometimes chosen because they are more budget-friendly than lingual braces.
Whatever your reason for choosing ceramic braces, you can be sure of getting great results.
Our chosen brands
Clarity: Tooth coloured
Clarity™ Ceramic Braces are strong like metal and they also are easily taken off at the end of your treatment. They are a great alternative to metal braces and can even be worn if you participate in sports.
The braces are translucent in appearance, don’t stain or discolour and are surprisingly comfortable.
Radiance: Clear Braces
Radiance ceramic braces are a fast and reliable way to straighten your teeth in a discreet way.
Radiance ceramic braces are extremely strong as they are made from sapphire, which is almost as strong as diamond.
InVu: Tooth Coloured
InVu tooth coloured, ceramic braces are extremely strong and incorporate colour-matching technology that allows them to look as close to your natural tooth colour as possible.
The brackets themselves are manufactured to the highest level providing extreme strength with easier bonding and less friction. It is one of the least visible ceramic braces we offer.
Find out more about ceramic braces
Request an appointment at our practice in Oldham. We will be happy to tell you more about our range of ceramic braces and our other orthodontic treatments so that we can find the best way to help you feel good about your smile.
Brace instructions
Here are some handy guides to help you with your new braces. You can download them by clicking on the individual links:
Clear Aligners
Cost £1,800.00
Are clear aligners effective?
Clear aligners which involve using Invisalign braces are probably our most popular treatment, simply because they are so easy to use. They are an almost invisible appliance which is ideal for those who are in the public eye or who simply want to smile without worrying about their braces showing.
The clear Invisalign aligner is similar to a mouthguard and is excellent at straightening crooked, gappy or even overlapping teeth. The aligners are clear, wafer-thin and made of a transparent medical grade plastic. They are designed so that you wear each positioner for approximately two weeks. They gently and gradually move your teeth from their present position to the desired position.
Our chosen brand
Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a very popular treatment at our Oldham practice. Invisalign® aligners are made of clear plastic and so they are virtually invisible. They are also removable so you can eat and drink normally and clean your teeth easily.
We find that patients love Invisalign® because the aligners are comfortable, removable, clear and easy to use. The treatment consists of a series of clear aligners, individually manufactured for your teeth with 3D computer imaging.
The aligners are changed every two weeks, and gradually move your teeth into the correct position. You can view your own virtual treatment plan to see in advance what your new straight smile will look like.
Find out more about our clear aligners
If you would like to find out more about Invisalign braces please get in touch or book a consultation at our practice in Oldham.
Brace instructions
Here are some handy guides to help you with your new braces. You can download them by clicking on the individual links:
Lingual Braces
Cost £2,100.00
Are lingual braces effective?
Lingual Braces can be used to treat a variety of orthodontic problems and are an extremely discreet way of straightening teeth compared with traditional metal braces.
They are comprised of small brackets and arch wires that are bonded to the back of the teeth making them virtually invisible to other people. The metal brackets are custom-made to fit the individual shape of your teeth, and are attached to the back of the teeth.
The braces work in very much the same way as traditional braces to effectively straighten your teeth, but are probably the most invisible method we offer.
Our chosen brands
Incognito™ lingual braces
Incognito™ lingual braces are custom-made from gold. They are created using state of the art technology to ensure they are an exact fit for your teeth.
Incognito™ braces produce fast and predictable results and are less likely than traditional braces to lead to problems such as decalcification and decay.
You may experience a little discomfort for the first ten days or so of wearing the braces, but once you get used to them you should find them very easy to live with. The end result will be a beautifully straight smile that you will love to show off!
STb™ Light Lingual System
The STb Light Lingual System is a more cost effective alternative to Incognito™, but still delivers a great level of comfort with an efficient, effective treatment.
STb utilizes a new passive self-ligation design for dramatically reduced friction making it incredibly comfortable.
These braces are a perfect solution for those patients that are not suitable for the clear aligners we offer, such as Invisalign.
Find out more about lingual braces
If you would like to find out more about straightening your smile with lingual braces please book a consultation at our practice in Oldham.
Brace instructions
Here are some handy guides to help you with your new braces. You can download them by clicking on the individual links:
Metal Braces
Cost £800.00
Are metal braces good?
Metal braces are the traditional “train track” braces. They consist of small metal brackets that are fitted to the front of your teeth with a wire running between them kept in a position like a railway by small elastic bands.
Train track braces are still widely use as a treatment and are very effective. Modern technologies and techniques mean train track braces are smaller, more comfortable and often faster than they used to be.
Please contact our practice in Oldham if you would like more information or to book an appointment. We will be happy to discuss these and other treatments options with you, to decide what is right for your individual needs.
Brace instructions
Here are some handy guides to help you with your new braces. You can download them by clicking on the individual links:
Self Ligating Braces
Cost £1,500.00
How do self ligating braces move teeth?
Self ligating braces are a more modern alternative to traditional ‘train track‘ metal braces. As with traditional metal braces, there are several variations of self ligating braces. They use small metal clips to keep the wire in place instead of elastic bands – self ligating means that the bracket can basically tie itself to the archwire.
Self ligating braces are designed to be more comfortable and can reduce treatment times because the wires don’t need to be tightened at each appointment.
Our chosen brands
Damon® System
The Damon system allows for teeth to move more quickly and with a lighter force than with a traditional metal brace. The Damon System makes space naturally for any crowded teeth by gently expanding the dental arches and therefore can prevent the need for extraction which occurs with more traditional methods.
Damon braces are designed to be discreet, comfortable and easy to keep clean.
Clarity™ SL
Clarity™ SL self ligating braces use the latest technology and so they work fast, often reducing your treatment time. They are made from high-tech ceramic with smooth, rounded edges for a comfortable fit and because they are translucent they are much less visible than metal braces.
Find out more about self ligating braces
If you want to know more about the self ligating braces we offer, then call us on 0161 622 0987 or request an appointment.
Functional Braces
Cost £800.00
What are twin block braces used for?
Twin block braces are more commonly known as functional braces and these are a special type of brace used for teeth that stick out a lot and to correct bite. Because of the appearance of the braces they are also known as twin block braces. They are worn on the upper and lower teeth at the same time and consist of two plastic removable braces. They allow you to still ‘function’ when wearing them, hence the name.
They are mainly used for patients who are still growing as they encourage the jaw to grow into the correct biting position. It is one of the fastest and most effective methods to correct receding jaws, goofy teeth or excess overjet.
Twin block braces are able to be removed for cleaning and although it can feel strange to start with, once worn, it becomes much less noticeable.
In order for the treatment of functional twin block braces to be most effective, you will need to wear the appliance for the minimum number of hours specified by your orthodontist as well as ensuring you follow the treatment plan closely.
For more information, call our practice in Oldham on 0161 622 0987 or send us a message here.
Retainers
Cost £80.00
Are retainers permanent?
The role of retainers is simple, they are used to hold your teeth in position following a treatment. They are crucial as they reduce the risk of teeth becoming crooked or overcrowded again. You must wear them on a long term basis so to achieve the best long-term results since teeth move throughout life.
Why do teeth move after braces?
When you are undergoing orthodontic treatment your teeth are firmly held into position by your braces, however when they are removed your teeth try to go back to their original position which is called an orthodontic relapse. This occurs when the fibres within your gums have become stretched and they try to pull the teeth back into the original position prior to treatment.
The continued growth of jaws can also move the teeth after your treatment but both fixed and removable retainers provided by Oldham Orthodontics can prevent this from happening. Removable retainers are provided for all of our patients at the end of treatment but fixed retainers are only suited to certain people.
We always recommend that you continue wearing your retainers for the foreseeable future after treatment and don’t stop wearing your retainers after a few months. This is so we can guarantee that your teeth will stay in the position they were in on completion of brace treatment.
Both of our fixed and removable retainers are comfortable and discreet. This allows you to keep your teeth retained throughout the day and night with no risk of movement.
What is the difference between a fixed retainer and a removable retainer?
Removable retainers are a thin, clear plastic retainer which are fitted over your teeth perfectly to maintain their position. They are made to be comfortable in your mouth so there is no need to feel concerned about them fitting in with your teeth, gum line and your tongue.
Fixed retainers consist of a thin stainless steel wire which is permanently fitted behind the front teeth prior to the consultation of getting your removable retainers fitted.
If you would like to hear from one of our team of orthodontist’s regarding retainers please don’t hesitate to email us at info@oldhamorthodontics.co.uk or call us on 0161 768 0931
Caring for your braces
How do you take care of your teeth with braces on?
You will need to take extra care of your teeth while wearing braces. This includes being careful about what you eat and following the correct daily oral healthcare routine.
It is vital that you follow our advice on these issues to avoid damaging your teeth and to ensure that we can complete your orthodontic treatment.
Brace care
Damaged braces means an extra appointment to see us and can affect the length of your treatment. The best way to care for your braces is to be careful what you eat and make sure you do not bite too hard.
Avoid particularly hard and chewy foods such as toffee. You can still eat crunchy foods such as apples or carrots, but cut them into small pieces so that you don’t need to bite into them. You should also avoid chewing on fingernails, pens, etc.
If you take part in contact sports such as rugby or martial arts, you must protect your teeth and braces with an orthodontic mouthguard – please ask us for more details.
Cleaning
Taking proper care of your teeth and gums during orthodontic treatment is absolutely vital to avoid problems such as decay and gum disease.
After every meal, you need to clean your teeth carefully using a fluoride toothpaste.
You need to brush around the braces, in between your teeth and where your teeth meet your gums. We will be able to supply you with special brushes to make cleaning easier and more effective. You should also use a fluoride mouthwash after brushing.
Discomfort
It is normal to have tender teeth and/or a sore mouth in the first week or so of wearing braces. This will wear off and can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers.
Pain caused by rubbing can be minimised by using orthodontic wax. If the pain persists, please consult the orthodontist.
Brace repairs
If you have a broken wire, a loose bracket or part of the brace is missing, you need to see us ASAP. Even if you are due to see us, it would be advisable to contact the practice for advice as there may not be time to make repairs during a routine check-up.
If you fail to follow our advice about brace care, you may be charged for repairs or replacement if your brace is damaged excessively or frequently.
Your diet
Your teeth are more vulnerable to problems such as decay during orthodontic treatment. You should avoid sweet and/or sticky foods, and acidic drinks such as fizzy drinks and fruit juices. You particularly need to avoid snacking between meals.
Each time you eat or drink, your teeth are attacked by acids for around 40 minutes, which leads to decay. Your saliva washes this acid away and re-mineralises your teeth, but it needs time to do this. If you snack frequently the acid is never washed away and your teeth become damaged.