For many people, the thought of undergoing dental treatment to correct misaligned teeth conjures up images of clunky metal braces, painful appliances, and a long, uncomfortable process. However, one of the newest and most exciting orthodontic treatments, the Six Month Smiles® system, is designed to change the way your smile looks in just about six months. By utilizing the latest technology in orthodontics to move your teeth in a quick manner, Six Month Smiles® targets the teeth that are visible when you smile, rather than all of your teeth, to help you show off straighter, more beautiful pearly whites.
- What Is Six Month Smiles®?
- Benefits of Six Month Smiles®
- Candidates for Six Month Smiles®
- Six Month Smiles® Procedure
- Six Month Smiles® Results
- Six Month Smiles® vs. Invisalign®
- How Much Does Six Month Smiles® Cost?
- Additional Six Month Smiles® FAQs
What Is Six Month Smiles®?
The Six Month Smiles® system is a modernized orthodontic treatment that can be used in place of metal braces for many individuals. This discreet system can be an effective way to straighten misaligned teeth and create a healthier, more beautiful smile in less time than it could take with traditional braces. Six Month Smiles® requires a minimal amount of pressure to bring the teeth into a more desirable position, and the clear brackets are not as noticeable as some other orthodontic treatments.
What Are the Benefits of Six Month Smiles®?
The Six Month Smiles® system can correct most orthodontic problems, including gaps between teeth, crooked and crowded teeth, as well as some bite alignment problems. Unlike traditional braces, the virtually undetectable braces of Six Month Smiles® consist of tooth-colored brackets and wires that are much smaller than metal braces and are only visible from very close up. The benefits of Six Month Smiles® may include:
- Improved tooth alignment within six months
- Inconspicuous orthodontic treatment for straighter teeth
- An alternative to clear braces for patients with more severely misaligned teeth
- Often less expensive than other orthodontic methods due to shorter treatment duration
As an added advantage, the Six Month Smiles® system is also known to be one of the most comfortable forms of orthodontic treatment because it uses very gentle forces to move teeth into the proper place. While the braces may take some getting used to, most patients should feel little discomfort once they have adapted to them.
Who Are Candidates for Six Month Smiles®?
Though orthodontics are often associated with children and teenagers, Six Month Smiles® can be ideal for older teenagers or adults who want to discreetly straighten their teeth quickly. Candidates for Six Month Smiles® typically share the following characteristics:
- Crooked teeth in the visible part of the smile
- Gaps and spaces
- Occlusion issues
- Difficulty brushing or flossing with ease
- Stained or discolored teeth due to tooth misalignment
Older orthodontic patients are often particularly concerned about the visibility of their braces, which can make Six Month Smiles® a good choice for individuals who want to quickly and inconspicuously improve the beauty of their smiles.
What Is the Six Month Smiles® Procedure Like?
By utilizing tooth-colored nickel titanium wires, Six Month Smiles® can achieve effective results with less force than more traditional orthodontics. The treatment is designed to maximize comfort for the patient and decrease treatment duration without sacrificing the quality of the results. In addition, the gentle force used to move the teeth also minimizes the chance of root or tissue damage when compared to traditional braces.
After the Six Month Smiles® system is removed, Dr. Rutherford will advise you to wear a removable retainer for a period of time to help ensure that the teeth stay in the right position. Otherwise, no additional treatment should be needed – although, oftentimes patients consider undergoing another cosmetic dentistry procedure, such as teeth whitening, to add the finishing touches to their new smile.
How Long Will My Six Month Smiles® Results Last?
Generally speaking, the longevity of Six Month Smiles® results should mirror the outcomes of other orthodontic treatments designed to move the teeth into a new position. Most patients can enjoy the benefits of Six Month Smiles® for the rest of their lives as long as they take the proper care of their teeth following the treatment and wear a retainer as recommended. During your initial consultation, our team will be able to provide a more in-depth overview of the procedure and the types of results you can expect to see.
Six Month Smiles® Vs. Invisalign®
When it comes to selecting an orthodontic treatment to straighten misaligned teeth, there are a variety of options to choose from. Traditional metal braces were once commonplace, as they proved effective in aligning the most severe of orthodontic needs. However, more modernized orthodontic systems have since been developed. Invisalign® and Six Month Smiles® are two of the newer systems on the market.
The Invisalign® orthodontic system requires patients to wear custom-made clear aligners for 22 hours of the day to be most effective. However, these aligners are removable, which allows eating, drinking, and maintenance to be easier. The treatment time with Invisalign® will vary based on each patient’s unique needs and the progress that is shown at check-up appointments. Typically, new sets of aligners – each slightly modified from the one that came before it – are worn every two weeks to help gradually move the teeth into a new position.
Six Month Smiles® takes many of the benefits offered by both traditional braces and Invisalign® and essentially combines them into one effective system that is comfortable and discreet. It utilizes Lucid-Lok® clear brackets and wires that are colored to the shade of your teeth to be barely noticeable. The braces are affixed to the teeth to help bring them into better alignment and to correct common orthodontic issues in a relatively short amount of time, typically about six months. This orthodontic system is also able to use low-force movement to increase your comfort and safety, while still producing effective results
How Much Does Six Month Smiles® Cost?
The cost of the Six Month Smiles® system is typically less expensive than traditional braces, but can vary based on your provider’s location and your ultimate goals. Once you have seen Dr. Rutherford for a consultation and he determines that your teeth could benefit from this orthodontic system, he will create your treatment plan. If you choose to have both your top and bottom teeth treated, the cost of treatment can range from approximately $3,000 to $4,500; however, it’s important to know that the total price of this treatment is largely dependent on individual needs. A member of our staff will assemble the total cost based on Dr. Rutherford’s evaluation of your needs and goals. Factors that play a role in determining the cost of your Six Month Smiles® system can include:
- The severity of your orthodontic concerns
- Whether you are having treatment for the top row of teeth, bottom row of teeth, or both
- The education and experience of your provider
Our staff can help you! If you would like assistance navigating your insurance benefits or reviewing our dental financing options, we can talk with you about your concerns and help find the best way to bring treatment into your budget. Our office also accepts a variety of payment methods, including cash, major credit cards, and personal checks.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions About Six Month Smiles®
What makes Six Month Smiles® more comfortable than traditional braces?
What makes Six Month Smiles® more comfortable than traditional braces?
Six Month Smiles® often stands apart from other orthodontic treatments such as traditional braces when it comes to overall comfort. The Six Month Smiles® system is designed to move your teeth with much less force than other orthodontic options. This innovative technique can ultimately provide a more comfortable experience when compared to traditional braces.
Will Six Month Smiles® cause damage to my teeth?
Six Month Smiles® should not have any greater degree of risk than traditional braces when it comes to potential damage to the teeth. Its use of less force when shifting the teeth’s alignment may even reduce the possibility of these types of complications during the treatment process.
Will I need to wear a retainer after Six Month Smiles®?
While Six Month Smiles® can create excellent results, you will still need to utilize a retainer for a period of time after they are removed. Retainers help maintain the outcomes achieved by Six Month Smiles®. Without a retainer, your teeth may begin to shift back to their original position, ultimately reversing the progress made with Six Month Smiles®.
Do I have to get teeth extracted before Six Month Smiles®?
Depending on individual circumstances and the present condition of the teeth, it is generally quite rare for patients to need a tooth extraction procedure before Six Month Smiles® treatment.
Can Six Month Smiles® treat orthodontic relapse cases?
Six Month Smiles® may be a viable option to treat orthodontic relapse and help realign the teeth after the results of other orthodontic treatments have begun to fail. Orthodontic relapse is when teeth begin to shift back to their original alignment after a successful treatment. In some cases, particularly in regards to the front teeth, a Six Month Smiles® procedure may be recommended to bring the teeth back into the desired alignment.
Please feel free to contact our practice for more information about how Six Month Smiles® can help you smile with confidence.