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Straightening your teeth with dental braces is one of the best ways to transform your smile. A perfectly straight smile can boost your confidence, make eating and talking much easier, and make you more attractive to others. But before you can reap the benefits of beautifully aligned teeth, you’ll need to choose a teeth-straightening method that works for you.

Teeth straightening techniques have come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years. With new materials and technologies available, dentists and orthodontists have developed some hugely popular types of dental braces. Here, we explain the different types of braces.

Traditional Metal Braces

When you think of dental braces, traditional metal braces most likely spring to mind. These braces, consisting of metal brackets, wires and elastic bands, are one of the most common types of braces.

Metal braces are effective and inexpensive, and while they have been around since the 18th century, these braces have greatly improved over the years. They’re now much more comfortable and orthodontists can allow patients to choose which colour elastic bands they would like, making them personalisable. However, metal braces are still the most noticeable type of dental braces. So if you’re worried about feeling self-conscious, it’s worth considering one of the more subtle options below.

Traditional Metal Braces

Invisalign

Invisalign is a clear aligner treatment, rather than a type of dental brace. It is also one of the most popular and high-tech teeth straightening methods. Just like braces, Invisalign puts pressure on your teeth to gradually shift them into alignment. But rather than doing so with a fixed brace, it uses a series of clear aligners custom-made for your teeth.

These aligners are removable, so you can take them out before tucking into meals and snacks, and easily clean them. Invisalign is also designed to be as invisible as possible, so you can straighten your teeth without feeling self-conscious.

Invisalign

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces work similarly to traditional metal braces, but rather than placing brackets on the front of your teeth, your dentist places them on the back, out of sight.

While these braces are a good choice for those who don’t want their braces to be noticeable, not all dentists offer lingual braces, and they are more costly than traditional metal ones.

Lingual braces are also not suitable for everyone. They can’t always be used to treat severe misalignment and can be more uncomfortable and difficult to clean.

Lingual Braces

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces work similarly to traditional metal braces, but the brackets are ceramic rather than metal. Ceramic braces blend in with the natural colour of your teeth, offering a discreet and effective alternative to metal braces.

Six Month Smiles uses ceramic braces to move your teeth into alignment in just half a year. This is one of our most popular teeth-straightening treatments at Tooth Doctor.

Ceramic Braces

Self-Ligating Braces

Traditional braces use elastic bands as well as brackets and wires. The elastic bands, also known as ligatures, wrap around the brackets to hold the wire in place. These can be tightened to control the tension of the wire — the force that shifts teeth into alignment. However, self-ligating braces eliminate the need for the elastic. Instead of the bands, tiny clips hold the wire in place.

These braces can be more comfortable than traditional metal braces with elastic as they use smaller brackets and pose less frictional resistance. With self-ligating braces, you will also make fewer trips to the dentist for brace tightening, and your dental care routine may be easier as these braces are easier to clean.

Both metal and ceramic braces can be self-ligating, so you can make the most of self-ligating brackets and a discreet clear appearance. At Tooth Doctor, we offer Damon braces, a popular type of clear, tieless dental brace.

Why Choose Tooth Doctor for Teeth Straightening

There’s no ‘one size fits all’ option when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. At Tooth Doctor’s 3 practices in Basildon, Brentwood and Stanford-le-Hope of Essex and Thurrock, our specialist orthodontists can assess your needs and recommend the best straightening options for you.

  • Expertise and Experience: At Tooth Doctor, we have a team of highly skilled orthodontists with extensive experience in teeth straightening. Our specialists stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in orthodontic techniques and technology to provide you with the best care.
  • Keep it a Secret: Don’t worry about the ‘metal mouth’ look! Unlike the traditional metal braces, there are some great modern options for clear or ‘invisible’ braces.
  • Bespoke Treatment Plans: We understand that each patient’s orthodontic needs are unique. We take the time to conduct thorough assessments and create personalised treatment plans tailored to your specific concerns and goals.
  • Reasonable Pricing: We believe that quality orthodontic care should be accessible to all. Our Quick Straight Teeth treatment starts from just £1,200, offering an affordable solution for achieving a straighter smile.
  • Comprehensive Care: We provide comprehensive orthodontic care, from the initial consultation to the final retention phase. Our goal is not only to straighten your teeth but also to ensure long-term oral health and stability.
  • Proven Success: Our track record of successful teeth straightening cases and satisfied patients speaks to our commitment to excellence in orthodontics.

Dentist near you. Our dentist in Essex and Thurrock - Tooth Doctor Dentist near me. Dr Anmol Patel ASSOCIATE DENTIST at Tooth Doctor Stanford-le-Hope clinic. Dentist nearby. Dr Osi - Dentist in Basildon clinic of Tooth Doctor Dr Yazan. Dentist near you at Tooth Doctor in Essex and Thurrock Ally Pope, PRACTICE MANAGER of Tooth Doctor - Dentist near you in Stanford-le-Hope  Andreea - Dentist near me at Tooth Doctor Essex and Thurrock

What Our Patients Say

Darren HutsonDarren Hutson
08:24 22 Aug 23
Paul WhalleyPaul Whalley
09:58 16 Aug 23
Dentist Jayde is very pleasant, very through and very professional.Practice is private only, no NHS.
Sandra PAVEYSandra PAVEY
08:44 16 Aug 23
Very good serviceJadye is an excellent dentistWould highly recommend
matt aredematt arede
11:30 30 Jul 23
Gigi TacelGigi Tacel
08:13 26 Jul 23
Great dentist, would recommend to anyone wanting any treatments or dental hygiene, fillings, etc.Special shout out to dentist Jayde who was very supportive, professional, made me feel comfortable, explains everything clearly and I was very satisfied with everything done. Highly recommended!
Krissy RaceKrissy Race
09:56 18 Jul 23
funkylurcherfunkylurcher
11:55 11 Apr 23
Absolutely Amazing, got me in when fully booked as I was in Pain, the Staff all staff second to none, top Service, can't praise them enough 🙌 👏
Freddie TurnerFreddie Turner
13:47 25 Jan 23
What a fantastic dentists!After trying most of the local dentists in the Brentwood area and most having a long waiting list I was presently surprised at how fast and simple the booking process was.The dental treatment was for my father who suffers from poor mental health and hadn't been to the dentist for over 20 years so this was extremely daunting for him.From the first call to our last treatment, the team were Fantastic. They went above and beyond to make my father feel at ease throughout the process and have such a high level for patients care and wellbeing.The work carried out was A1 and my father was extremely happy with his dental work and would highly recommend!!From Derek and Feeddie THANK YOU!ps. Sorry for the delay!
OliviaOlivia
17:59 08 Nov 22
I have just finished my Invisalign treatment with Jayde @ the Brentwood branch and I could not recommend more highly. From start to finish Jayde explained each step thoroughly & kept me at ease. I am over the moon with how my teeth now look. The process was smooth painless and fast! Thank you so much
Gina PavlovaGina Pavlova
14:58 17 Oct 22
I required an emergency appointment and they were able to accommodate.The staff were all very friendly , welcoming and explained everything to me which made me very much at ease .I would defiantly recommend
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Our Location in Essex and Thurrock

Tooth Doctor proudly serves the community of Essex and Thurrock with three conveniently located dental clinics. Whether you’re in Basildon, Brentwood or Stanford-le-Hope, a top-tier dental experience is just around the corner. The Basildon clinic is situated at 7 Market Pavement SS14 1DD. The Brentwood clinic is at 27 High Street CM14 4RG. The Stanford-le-Hope clinic is at 26 Corringham Rd SS17 0AH. They are all easily accessible both by car and public transportation. With ample parking options and proximity to major transit routes, getting to us for your dental treatments is a breeze. No matter which surrounding area you’re coming from, Tooth Doctor ensures a smooth journey to a brighter smile!

Tooth Doctor in Essex and Thurrock - Clinic front door

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