Has anyone done the "6 month smile makeover"?

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#1 Post by **riebeetee** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:18 pm

I've been reading the message board for over a year, but finally decided to take the plunge into getting braces. I just turned 25, and have never had them before. My dental insurance FINALLY covers them, so I'm going to do it! I already had one consult, and I have two more scheduled. I had pretty much decided on "speed" braces because they are smaller and don't jeopardize the treatment time like the ICE braces (I'm in for two years).

Now, on to my question. One of my friends from high school just got braces on a 6 month smile makeover, and she LOVES them. I'm wondering if anyone has done it this way (I tried to search but couldn't really find anything about them). I have bite problems, but all I'm really concerned about it the straight teeth (I'm sure the ortho wouldn't agree!). I don't even know if I'm a contender yet for the 6 months option, but I wanted to see if anyone had any strong opinions regarding them.

If anyone has had them or knows anything about the system, I would greatly appreciate it! THANKS!!!

#2 Post by **Megan11** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:05 pm

You know what they say about things that sound too good to be true...

6 months braces just fix the visible, or "social", teeth. I think it is aimed toward those who do not have obvious bite problems.

Here is a member who went through the 6 month braces process. You can check the results here:
viewtopic.php?t=29729

#3 Post by **bbsadmin** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:37 pm

Those "six month braces" type procedures involve some in-office surgery. It's no walk in the park; I've read from others who have done it that the recovery process is not fun. IMO, it's better and healthier for your teeth to do this the more traditional way. You can have smaller brackets and still do a more traditional treatment.

#4 Post by **LilMissSmile** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:55 am

I have just posted up pics of my results from 6 month braces. I am extremely happy. It was not at all painfull. I did not have any significant bite problems but i didnt get arch expansion and my top teeth slightly brought froward to give a more pleasing smile.

I had no problems whatsoever and did not get teeth extracted (an ortho said i needed 4 teeth removed if i wanted proper 2 years braces!!!)

Go for it.....its well worth the money and treatment time is over before you know it.

#5 Post by **classII** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:46 am

There's two kinds of "6 month braces", the one you had where they attend to the front 6 only and apply cosmetic applications on the rest if necessary, and another one, where they actually "cut" channels in your jaw

so that they teeth can move more quickly. Scary stuff

#6 Post by **bbsadmin** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:21 am

classII wrote:There's two kinds of "6 month braces", the one you had where they attend to the front 6 only and apply cosmetic applications on the rest if necessary, and another one, where they actually "cut" channels in your jaw so that they teeth can move more quickly. Scary stuff

True, true. I was referring to the one that requires the surgery. I'm not sure about the long-term results of the other type.

#7 Post by **ourfab5** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:49 pm

Hi.....I am doing the "6 mos. 6 social teeth" thing strictly to have a prettier smile as a 61 yr old grandma. No bite issues, no surgery, extractions, etc. They are scheduled to come off in 10 days and it will actually have been a bit over 7 mos. It has certainly not been easy and I have mostly had lots of lip and mouth issues (I started a thread with my complaints several days ago....

. But, I'm still very glad I did it. I'm sure it depends on what your teeth and bite issues are, but it worked for my purposes.

#8 Post by **riebeetee** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 8:37 pm

Thanks everyone for your views! I've had my third consult today - this time with a 6 months braces person. Basically, it just straights out your teeth but doesn't fix any bite problems. It's pretty much the exact same cost as the first quote I got for the normal 2 years (the 2nd quote was almost $2,000 more!!!).

For now, I have to decide if I want to do it right and have it take 2 years, or straighten out my teeth in a quick 8 months. At least no one seems to regret taking the quick way out!

#9 Post by **blueeyedboy** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 5:39 pm

The one thing I would wonder is whether the new bite is stable - in other words, will it stay that way years later. I think one goal of the more traditional route is to correct your bite (that is, if it needs correcting) in a way that it is stable, and will stay that way over a long period of time without drifting back to its previous position.

Please don't get me wrong - I'm not saying the 6 month version won't work and won't be stable. But it is probably worth asking the orthodontist about it.

If you choose to do it, I hope you get great results!

#10 Post by **riebeetee** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:04 am

I haven't made a decision yet, and I feel like I need to soon. I just got engaged, and I'm debating what would be worse....having braces on for my wedding (going the traditional braces route) or not getting braces at all and hating half of my wedding photos!

I need to talk to my FH more about it, since it's obviously going to cost a bunch of money that I would no longer have the wedding/house down payment.

I think for the longevity of the straighter teeth, they put in permanent retainers behind your front top and bottom teeth, which I would most likely get no matter the treatment type I decided on (I don't trust myself to actually use a retainer!)