6 Month Smiles is a short-term dental procedure that provides a practical solution for adults who wish to have their crooked teeth straightened without using traditional orthodontic treatments. Here we’ll look at the treatment, the benefits and how much 6 Month Smiles cost.
The treatment utilizes clear brackets with tooth-coloured memory wires that are nearly invisible when positioned over the teeth, and as the name implies, they provide predictable short term results and straighten teeth over a 6 month period for the average case.
The ultimate goal of the treatment is to provide patients with a great smile in a short period of time. The focus is to correct and realign crooked, overcrowded, or spaces between teeth, which can often be easily corrected in an average time of 6 months when using the system. It may also be used to correct the following:
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
- Reverse smiles
- High canines
- Spacing
- Intrusions
- Extrusions
- Rotations
- Tipping
What Does The 6 Month Smile Procedure Involve?
The treatment uses translucent Lucid-Lok memory wires and brackets that blend seamlessly with a patient’s existing tooth structure; they provide consistent levels of force the align and straighten teeth in a gentle manner. The unique shape and structure of the memory wires work in conjunction with pre-positioned brackets to realign teeth comfortably and predictably.
When using traditional orthodontic procedures and braces, the results provide fantastic results; however, this type of treatment can sometimes take up to two years or more to achieve.
After a patient’s initial appointment, which includes x-rays, impressions, and a comprehensive examination, a case submission script and the patient’s teeth impressions are sent to the processing facility.
After receiving the impressions, a specialist will identify the correct bracket location placements using the impressions provided to achieve the desired effect. The specialist will then fabricate custom-made bonding trays. These make the bonding process incredibly simple, stress-free, and efficient.
Benefits of the Treatment
- The average patient treatment times take an average of 6 months
- Tooth-coloured wires and brackets are barely visible
- Less expensive than traditional braces, veneers, and aligners.
- The cost of the treatment can be about one-third of the cost of aligners
- Generally proved results two to three times faster than traditional methods
- Consistent levels of low force and short treatment times increase safety, comfort, and personal oral hygiene
- Provides a consistent and predictable outcome and optimum results
- Fast and comfortable treatment appointments
The treatment has modified the best attributes of braces to provide a common-sense cosmetic alternative that fits ideally with patient’s lifestyles, and after the initial braces appointment, patients return every 4 weeks thereafter to receive a simple adjustment.
After the patient’s teeth have been aligned and set to their desired position, the braces are removed using a simple procedure and sufficient retention is provided. The patient is then able to enjoy a perfect smile without feeling self-conscious any longer.
The goals of the treatment differ from those of conventional orthodontic practices, and are not intended for time-consuming changes such as midline changes and altering angle class.
If you have cosmetic issues with your teeth that you would like to have corrected, you should strongly consider the procedure as a viable alternative to traditional orthodontic procedures. The new procedure can give you the smile you want in much less time – and at much less cost as well.
How Much Do 6 Month Smiles Cost in the UK?
The price depends on several different factors, which affect each step of the procedure. These include:
Consultation Fee
Generally, it can cost anywhere from £1800 to £3000, depending on the specific case and the practitioner. Some clinics may charge for the initial consultation appointment up to £100. Others provide this service for free.
X-Ray Examinations
Before placing the braces on your teeth, you’ll need a check-up for decay or gum problems. You’ll also need to visit your dentists regularly, even when you’re on braces. During your first appointment, your orthodontist will undertake a comprehensive and thorough examination of your oral health, including teeth and gums, to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for this type of treatment.
This will typically involve taking x-ray images, as well as intraoral and facial photos and the exact impressions of your teeth – which will then be used to fabricate models that show how they fit together. Depending on your specific situation, the initial oral exam and subsequent regular dental visits could see the costs shoot up.
The Complexity of Your Case
Your orthodontist will plan your treatment using records, such as X-rays photos ad impressions for plaster study models of your teeth. Sometimes, one or several of your teeth may need to be removed when they are excessively crowded and there is not enough space in the jaws for all of them. The cost of extractions may be added to the treatment price.
Also, it’s worth noting that it can be utilised to treat a wide range of orthodontic treatments, including spacing, underbite, overjet, overbite, open bite, misplaced midline, crossbite and crowding, and each of these treatments will be charged differently depending on the complexity of your specific case.
Where The Clinic is Located
Prices vary greatly from city to city across different regions. Dental practices located in regions and major cities of the UK with a higher cost of living and maintaining their dental practice will typically offer higher prices for the treatment.
The Dentists at the Practice and Their Credentials
The experience of your dentist in planning and executing properly the placement of the braces is the main factor for the success of the treatment. Highly experienced and well-recognised dentists deliver the best results and a much lower failure rate on the braces they place. As you would expect, these dentists with a high level of expertise in this field charge higher fees.
Special Promotions
Some dentists offer special promotions that may increase or reduce the cost of your treatment. So check to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
6 Month Smile Reviews
Online reviews of the treatment are generally fairly positive. The braces are much more affordable than similar invisible braces – however, they are often just as effective. While the quotes for similar orthodontic treatment can very high in comparison, the results are about the same.
Many have commented on how quickly the braces start to create a noticeable result. In just 2 weeks patients have noticed a change in their smile for the better.
Some mention that the braces were very painful to start off with, although once they got used to wearing the braces the pain reduced substantially. Others claim that the first month of having the braces in is very painful and uncomfortable. However, once you get through the first month the pain wasn’t too bad and the results were great.
Quite a few reviewers have praised the system, but some have had issues with individual orthodontists. While the system clearly worked, it is best monitored by an experienced orthodontist. Make sure you get reviews and check with previous patients how their experience was. It’s also worth checking before and after photos to get a feel for the results so you won’t be disappointed.