Braces are in high demand in the UK: about 200,000 children and adults in England and Wales get braces each year. If you’re thinking of getting braces, then it’s natural to have questions. So, in this post, we’ll answer some of the frequent questions we hear about braces.

What is the purpose of braces?

Unfortunately, we aren’t all blessed with straight teeth. This is where braces come in. Their main purpose is to straighten your teeth. By slowly exerting pressure on your teeth, braces correct your misaligned, crooked and protruding teeth so that you have a nice straight row of gnashers.

It’s a lot easier to take care of your teeth when they’re straight instead of crooked. Straight teeth are easier to brush and food doesn’t get stuck as often as with crooked teeth. Having a set of straight teeth can also make it easier to eat because it ensures you bite correctly.

How common are braces?

Every year, around 200,000 people get braces in England and Wales. The vast majority are under eighteen. Specifically, around 65% of braces patients are teenagers and 34% are children. This means that only 1 in 100 braces wearers are adults. This is partly because of the price – braces are around £2,500 for adults but are free for under 18s. But it’s also because braces are generally more successful in children than adults.

Saying that, more and more adults are seeking braces. Many of these adults missed out on braces when they were children and now they want to correct their teeth.

What is it like to have braces?

Your experience with braces will depend on what type you want to get. With removable braces, you can take them out when you need to eat and clean your teeth. In contrast, fixed braces are more difficult to live with as they easily trap food. You will need to take special care with fixed braces to remove trapped food.

How much do braces cost?

As mentioned, if you’re lucky enough to under the age of 18, the NHS provides braces for free. The rest of us however have to fork out for private treatment. This usually costs around £2,500, but prices vary widely between dentists and the type of braces you want to get. For example, invisible braces are more expensive than traditional metal braces.

Where can I get braces?

Most large dental clinics in the UK offer braces, including Benson Dental. We’re a practice in Cradley Heath, Birmingham. Click here to find out more about our braces at Benson Dental. If braces are something you want, then why make an appointment with one of our dentists who will discuss your options with you?

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Unfortunately, the process can also be unpleasant, especially if you have strong gag reflex. This is because our bodies instinctively want to gag unfamiliar materials out of the mouth. Dental impressions can definitely be one of the most unpleasant experiences at the dentist.

Luckily, there’s a modern alternative to impressions: digital scanning. Read on to learn more.

What is digital scanning?

Digital scanning in dentistry started in the mid-1980s. Since then, it’s really taken off and now many dentists offer this procedure.

With digital scanning, the dentist uses a machine to scan an image of your teeth into a computer. It’s a bit like taking an x-ray, but the machine can create a 3D image instead of just a 2D one. The machine uses either lasers or a special light to capture the image.

The benefits of digital scanning

Digital scanning has several benefits over the old way of doing things. The main benefit is that the process removes the need for a physical impression. This means there is no need for patients to keep an unpleasant substance in their mouths.

Digital scans are also more accurate than physical impressions. This is because there are less steps required, so therefore there is less room for error. Ultimately it means that dentists can create fixtures that fit better.

Another advantage to digital scans is that dentists can manipulate the scan using a computer. This allows the dentist to see the exact effect treatments will have on your teeth. You might also get to see what your finished smile will look like.

Digital impression systems are also much faster than physical systems, particularly for dentists. This is because digital systems remove the need for time-consuming tasks such as preparing materials, disinfecting impressions, and mailing the impressions to the lab. The dental laboratory also saves time because they no longer have to pour up plaster or cut and shape dies. It’s a win-win for everyone.

What should I expect from a digital scan?

A digital scans can take between 3 and 5 minutes. There is no need to hold any unpleasant material in your mouth but the dentist might spray your teeth with a special powder to make sure the scan is accurate. Rest assured that all scans are safe.

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