6 month smile braces on tomorrow.

Message

#1 Post by **Mengog** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 3:16 pm

Tomorrow I shall be the proud recipriant of some brand new braces. I have gone for the six month smile braces, mainly due to the time factor and what I want to achieve.

I have gaps in between my front 6 top teeth and I am wanting to close them. It is something I have always be self-conscious of especially in social situations. My orthodontist said because their will be quite a lot of movement I may have them on for 9-12 months, which doesn't phase me.

At the moment, I am so so nervous. I know I have made the right decision but so many niggling doubts, in the back of my mind. Will they work, what will people say, will it hurt etc. These are all outweiged however, by the thought I how i will feel this time next year, with straight teeth.

It has taken me around two years and some intense saving to get to this point. Once i made the decision to have braces it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and even began to smile more as I knew that the teeth I had would only be temporary.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

#2 Post by **Dutchess** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 11:02 pm

Congrats! And remember that the inconvenience is all worth it in the end. Just read as many on this site as you can, it helped me a lot.
Good luck and let us know how it went!

#3 Post by **orthoman24** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:34 am

Can I ask who actually treated you because the gossip is that there are about 80 british dentists on the list of 6 month smiles. com who only went to a single lecture on this and then got a certificate to place fixed braces.?

I am an orthodontist based in west london with over 25 years experience and many of us are very concerned that some general dentists do not understand what they are doing in this area.

The 6 Month Smiles course that was sold as a certification course at the Cosmetic Dentistry conference in Edinburgh was a sham.
Apparently at the last minute there was no hands on training and dentists then had to "buy their certification". So many of the dentists who were certified that day have never done any orthodontics and were told that they can go straight out and treat patients!

It is a ridiculous situation and the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentists should be ashamed that they hosted the course.

Patients looking at this choice should be sure that the treating dentists have done plenty of cases already by asking to see photos of other patients they have treated and not those of the marketing material that the 6MS sales people provide.

#4 Post by **smilegirl18** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:27 pm

Hi I'm just at the 6 month point of my 6 month smile braces and with hindsight I would have paid the extra to have proper braces.
I chose them as they seemed to offer everything I was looking for - a shorter treatment time and less cost than full metal braces but it wasn't made clear to me that the results aren't as good. Also I only found out yesterday that the person treating me is not an orthodontist, just a regular dentist.
Don't get me wrong, I am a whole lot happier with my teeth now than I was 6 months ago but they aren't ideal. Although they are now straight my bite has drifted slightly, my top teeth don't meet the bottom teeth at the front (the top teeth jut forward slightly) and my mid line is about 2-3mm off centre. I still have the braces on but I'm not hopeful these new problems can be corrected. So it looks like I will either have to just live with the results or pay more and go see a proper ortho to have them corrected.
I may have been unlucky and ended up being treated by a dentist who isn't qualified. I know there are many people who have had 6 months smiles who are delighted with their results.
I just want echo orthoman24's concerns and make people aware (as I wasn't) that this is not proper orthodontic treatment and you can end up with other problems at the end of the treatment that you didn't have at the start.

#5 Post by **drrick** » Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:18 pm

It is proper treatment when the tx goal are properly explained, agreed upon and executed.

It sounds like that may not have been the case for you.

Seems like there was more of a communication issue than anything else.

Was the fact that you could finish with overjet mentioned to you? You do not get a-p change with this type of treatment (correcting class 2 or 3) but you get alignment within the arches and can open deep bites and close open bites (depending on the cause) S if you are skeletally a class 2 as you will end with overjet (just like you would if your chosen treatment option was cosmetic dentistry i.e. veneer case)
It is cosmetic orthodontics. More analogous to cosmetic dentistry such as porcelain veneers than to traditional orthodontics. In fact when I teach doctors (GP's and Orthodontists) I tell them to think of this type of treatment asa 'orthodontic veneers' That usually helps them get their head around the concept.

You do still have 3 to 6 months yet so perhaps the scenarios you have mentioned may be corrected.

FWIW, spaced cases are more difficult than crowded cases with shorter treatment times. YOU may want to make sure your doc is using a stainless steel wire during space closure as that can prevent many unwanted tooth movements from occuring.

FWIW, I am NOT Six Month Smiles. That group was formed by a previous (far less experienced) student of mine.

#6 Post by **smilegirl18** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:50 am

Hi, maybe I should have said that it is a cosmetic dentistry treatment as opposed to orthodontic treatment and in my case is is not "more of a communication issue than anything else".
I asked plenty of questions before I began the treatment as I don't take spending £2250 lightly. I like to know exactly what I'm getting for my money. I was assured that I was a perfect case for this type of treatment and my teeth would be straightened but they would not be a "perfect Hollywood smile" which I was perfectly happy with. There was certainly NO mention of an overjet and midline movement.
I don't have another 3-6 months treatment time either as the braces are due to be removed in the next 4-6 weeks after one more final adjustment.
As I said before I am a lot happier with my teeth now, but if I had known about with the other problems I have ended up with, I would have paid the extra for correctional orthodontic treatment.

#7 Post by **appygirl82** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:42 am

Can someone explain how the 6 month smile braces are different than the traditional? A co-worker is getting them this week and I am curious how they get your teeth straight so fast?

#8 Post by **drrick** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:56 am

Actually it is a communication issue if the dr did not mention overjet (if you are class 2) or midline issues (which can be a problem even with comprehensive braces d/t tooth size discrepancies)

These things usually are mentioned in the informed consent you signed but should also be verbally communicated to you as well. (I make SURE to stress this to my docs but sadly not all teachers do this.)

You may still be able to reduce overjet further and improve the midline (then can typically be moved about 2 mm) it just may take a few months longer. 6 months in the AVERAGE time for treatment not the absolute end. Some cases take 3 to 4 months other 8 or 9 (sometimes more in very severe situations)

Also, nothing precludes you from transitioning to traditional braces. They are not mutually exclusive by any means. I offer both. I have only had 1 pt switch from SMB to comprehensive treatment in almost 16 years of practice. THe reason is I am VERY good at communicating the differences and pros and cons of each type of treatment.

Not that it matters but that fee would be a steal for braces in the most cities in the US. ($3383)

#9 Post by **drrick** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:59 am

appygirl82 wrote:Can someone explain how the 6 month smile braces are different than the traditional? A co-worker is getting them this week and I am curious how they get your teeth straight so fast?

It is a different type of treatment. There is more of a focus on your smile than in anterior-posterior bite change (correcting overbites and underbites) This treatment is far more analogous to porcelain veneers than it is to traditional braces in that the goal is to give you a great smile quickly. We have the same end road -- give you a great smile -- only we take 2 different roads to get there. With porcelain veneers we prepare the teeth and bond porcelain with SMB we move the teeth to their most beautiful position. With these goals most cases are done in a average treatment time of 6 months.

#10 Post by **UGHBRACES** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:00 am

smilegirl18 wrote:Hi, maybe I should have said that it is a cosmetic dentistry treatment as opposed to orthodontic treatment and in my case is is not "more of a communication issue than anything else".
I asked plenty of questions before I began the treatment as I don't take spending £2250 lightly. I like to know exactly what I'm getting for my money. I was assured that I was a perfect case for this type of treatment and my teeth would be straightened but they would not be a "perfect Hollywood smile" which I was perfectly happy with. There was certainly NO mention of an overjet and midline movement.
I don't have another 3-6 months treatment time either as the braces are due to be removed in the next 4-6 weeks after one more final adjustment.
As I said before I am a lot happier with my teeth now, but if I had known about with the other problems I have ended up with, I would have paid the extra for correctional orthodontic treatment.

Why can't you leave the braces on and get the issues you want corrected dealt with? Even if you have to pay extra, its worth it if it makes you happy.

#11 Post by **drrick** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:08 am

Exactly, that is what I was trying to get at when I mentioned the treatments were not mutually exclusive.

What heas been done so far is most often the first phase of comprehensive ortho treatment anyway so if you want to transition to that style of treatment you sure can.

#12 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:31 pm

Dr. Rick. Correct me if I am wrong, but Six Month Braces (which can often be a few months longer) is simply levelling and aligning. This is no different from the initial stages of a traditional orthodontic treatment, only we are discontinuing treatment before A/P, OJ, OB issues are corrected. In other words, we are looking at alignment only, using brackets that are no different from any other.

There isn't anything faster about the actual movement of the teeth. The duration of the treatment is simply reduced since it doesn't address all orthodontic issues (there is much more to orthodontics than just making the teeth straight). Therefore, if there are still other concerns after teeth are aligned, treatment can be continued to correct those issues. The problem may be, however, that the treating doctor may not have the expertise to completely address these problems.

There aren't usually any issues with just making the teeth straight, as long as there are no dental health issues, and the results match the objectives of the patient :).

#13 Post by **drrick** » Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:27 pm

The goal is a great smile not necessarily skeletal and occlusal perfection so LAR is completed for cosmetic reasons. A-P is not changed significantly but deep bites can (and usually must) be opened and anterior open bites can be closed (depending on the cause). Very similar to many types of invisalign treatments that are done actually -- just using a different tool -- brackets vs. aligners.

The service is more patient chief complaint driven and most pts that opt for this treatment have refused traditional ortho tx. Many have been to 4 or 5 consults and refused every time. Traditional treatment is always offered as an option, along with cosmetic dentistry when applicable. All options are presented and then the pt can make their choice.

Yes patients can 'switch' to comp treatment if they prefer but as I mentioned above I have had only 1 patient do that in almost 16 years of practice. They key, as with any cosmetic case, is proper communication of the objectives and what can and cannot be accomplished with the technique. If that communication is clear then pts will not get the type of treatment they are not expecting.

SMB is just another tool in your cosmetic dentistry tool belt.
Another alternative to offer patients.

FWIW, I teach not only GP's but also orthos. I usually have 1 or 2 orthos at each of my live courses (I offer 3 different courses) and many more have watched my DVD's read my books, etc.

There is a free video on the doctor side of my website you can watch if you like. Just visit SixMonthBraces.com It describes the treatment far more fuly than I can here.

Hope this helped.

#14 Post by **smiledoc** » Sun May 23, 2010 1:11 pm

Rick there is no question you are the best, you have a background and passion that is second to none. I don't think you should blindly defend someone that is doing limited Ortho, you may get into trouble with that. Every patient and doctor is different. Being a doctor is more important than what "brand" of treatment they have sold to a patient...you should know that.

#15 Post by **green0812** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:16 am

I'm new here - I'm in my late 40's and been told I need braces for a few years now. I had them as a kid - about 30 yrs ago. Had a few adult teeth extracted to make room - which was common practice back then. I also had a palate expander and braces for 3.5 yrs. Wore the retainer - but then once I hit my 20's - stopped wearing it.

I now have an anterior open bite - it isn't huge but I can't make my front top/bottom teeth meet. So when I bite into a sandwich or something often the lettuce will just slide out. I also have a slight crossbite in the back and some minimal crowding top/bottom.

I've been told I'm not a candidate for Invisalign - and all orthos say 18-24 months in braces - - which is honestly very overwhelming for me! I'm a single male, divorced Father.

I haven't made any decisions yet - my teeth aren't horrible looking but the function of my bite is an issue.

I recently heard about the Six Month smile and must say I am VERY intrigued!! I've been reading about an ortho in NYC named Dr. Marvin Lagstein - he has a website called "brace for success". I'm thinking of going on the free consult to see what he has to say. If I can reduce my time in braces even to 12 months rather then 18-24, I'd do it.