Ask The Dentist – Slightly Crooked Teeth

A patient asks if there is a quick method for straightening teeth.

Dental braces are perhaps not, historically,  the most popular cosmetic dental treatment with patients, but a new generation of orthodontics makes the procedure more comfortable and discreet.

Q. Hi .. I’m in my early twenties and have always taken good care of my teeth, with just one minor filling. A few years ago, I got the opportunity to do some clothes modelling for a catalogue and have maintained a part time career doing this ever since and enjoy it. I have now though, been contacted by an agent who has asked me if I would appear on a TV show about the modelling industry, which I am happy to do as I would love to explore that area of work in the future. To cut a long story short though, I am worried that this is likely to involve ‘talking heads’ where the camera focusses on a close up of my face. This has never bothered me in photo shoots before because they were more general, but I am concerned that a close up will reveal a couple of slightly crooked teeth if I smile. They aren’t bad but, as I’d like to work more in that area, I’d like to get things as perfect as possible. The programme is not for 4 months and I wondered if this would be long enough to straighten my teeth?

Hello, and thanks for your interesting question. I suspect that you may have done a little research on orthodontics and noticed that it is a procedure that generally takes some time to work in most cases. This is entirely logical as it would be unwise, for obvious reasons, to put excessive force on a patient’s teeth in order to straighten them more speedily.

Judging by your question though, your teeth are probably in need of some quite minor correction and we may be able to help you with this. Of course, we will need to see you at Alexandra Dental Care to examine your teeth and discuss realistic expectations of what can be achieved in the four month run up to your TV appearance.

The procedure which I am thinking of which could be successful is an orthodontic system known as the Six Month Smile. You may think, from its name, that it takes six months to work, but this is just an average and more severely crooked teeth can take longer and less severe ones, shorter. If you arrange a consultation with our cosmetic dental team, we will be able to give you a better idea of what can be achieved in the time period before your TV appearance.

The Six Month Smile does use a similar method to traditional braces in that wires and brackets are used. These, however, are made from finer materials and in a tooth coloured shade. Whilst it is likely that they might be noticeable for TV, it is unlikely that they would be seen in clothes modelling shots, though you may wish to discuss this with the photographer if you have any work coming up in that area.

Given that your TV appearance is not far away, it is important that you act quickly if you want to have your teeth straightened in time. Our practice is not far from Ashby and I would recommend that you make an appointment with us as soon as possible, so that we can get your treatment started.

Please call us today on 01283 216347 to arrange your initial consultation.

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