A Simple and Effective Way for General Dentists to Cosmetically Align Teeth

Have you ever noticed that when you refer your adult patients to an orthodontist, only a few actually move forward with treatment? What about those patients who de­clined? What options are you offering them for their crooked, spaced, or misaligned teeth? Do you leave them stuck and do nothing? Prep for veneers? Or do you give them an aligner option, which can take up to 2 years, similar to the comprehensive route? Most patients do not want to go through 2 years of treatment and therefore decline, leaving many of them unhappy.

What if you could offer these unhappy patients a solution that’s simple, predictable, and effective, where most cases finish in 4 to 9 months, depending on what the patient would like corrected?

The Six Month Smiles short-term orthodontic system is designed specifically for general dentists to meet the needs of patients who have crooked, misaligned, or spaced teeth. Most cases can be completed in an average of just 6 months using unique clear braces and tooth-colored wires. The system, like aligners, is cosmetically focused, but it is not a replacement for conventional orthodontics. The goals of treatment are not as comprehensive, but it provides an alternative for adults who have de­clined the conventional orthodontic treatment to have the smile they desire.

Cosmetic orthodontics provides a realistic al­ternative for a large percentage of adult patients who refuse comprehensive orthodontics by overcoming its 2 main objections—time and appearance of metal braces. Similar to clear aligner treatment, the primary focus of treatment is resolving the patient’s aesthetic concerns, and not making significant changes to the posterior occlusal scheme.

Figure. 1. After a thorough diagnosis and treatment plan was completed, the case was determined to be easily corrected with Six Month Smiles. Patient presented with upper and lower crowding as her concerns. With the brackets and wires, the arch form would round out and assist with the patient’s desire for straighter teeth. Figure 2. PVS impressions were sent to the Six Month Smiles facility so brackets could be prepositioned in custom bonding trays for fast, predictable, and comfortable braces on appointment for the patient. (Note: This image is not the case being illustrated.) Figure 3. The clear brackets and tooth-colored wires were bonded for efficient tooth movement. Patient was seen once a month for an adjustment visit. Figure 4. Once the braces were removed (after 6 months), composite bonding was completed, and an even better smile was achieved. Figure 5. Bonded lingual retainers were fitted to both the upper and lower arches. Figures 6 and 7. Fantastic and rewarding results for both the patient and

The Six Months Smiles System enables general dentists to deliver the following benefits quickly and predictably—(1) round out the arches, which in many cases provides the intercanine space to align the anterior teeth; (2) level and align the arches, including intrusions and extrusions and overbite corrections; (3) straighten teeth (correct crowding); (4) close spaces; (5) upright flared and tipped teeth; and (6) level gingival margins.

Most general practitioners see orthodontics as a complex mystery because of the way it was presented in dental school, yet cosmetically focused orthodontics is easy to learn and can be used in a large number of adult cases.

In this case, the patient was excited to find a solution that would be time-efficient (6 months) while being as discreet as possible.

For more information, call Six Month Smiles at (866) 957-7645 or visit sixmonthsmiles.com.