Anyone who is concerned about whether or not they need invisible braces should see a qualified cosmetic dentistry practitioner in order to get the best advice.

Dental Health magazine said braces can be used for people of all ages, but a dentist or orthodontist will know the most about what types are suitable for each individual.

The article also pointed out that he or she will probably want to carry out some preliminary work such as putting in a temporary dental splint first, as this will help to ensure jaw alignment is correct.

It added: “The patient should wear dental braces after the splint, because this is the best way to correct the jaw misalignment and the physical appearance of the teeth.”

Last month, Connie Allfrey, 29, told the London Evening Standard she had Invisalign braces fitted when her teeth began growing out of line and found them to be excellent.

Parents have been advised to prevent their children from sucking their thumbs or a dummy wherever possible, or they may need invisible braces in the future.

Raj Wantoozle, writing for Lon’s Article Directory, said sucking their thumb is a natural reflex for many young children and babies.

Although he said it is not usually a problem when they still have their baby teeth, it could cause misalignment once the adult teeth start pushing through.

Mr Wantoozle said most children outgrow sucking their thumb or a dummy due to peer influence, but some do not – and they may have to have invisible braces in years to come.

To stop the habit, the expert suggested positive reinforcement and praising the child when he or she does not suck their thumb.

“Your dentist can also recommend some effective cessation strategies or even prescribe a mouth appliance under some circumstances,” he added.

Anyone who sucked their thumb as a child and has misaligned teeth could benefit from invisible braces, which Emma Hill of the Telegraph recently pointed out are becoming more and more prevalent among adults.
 

People who choose to have invisible braces fitted as adults are sure to see an improvement on the smile alignment they had before.

This is according to Denise Calaman, a writer for the lifestyle website Helium who recently finished orthodontic treatment.

However, she pointed out that patients should not expect picture-perfect results, because adults’ teeth are not as pliable as children’s.

“But sometimes even the smallest improvement will give us the self-esteem that we have been lacking for so long and that makes it all worthwhile,” she commented.

Ms Calaman said although her teeth will never be completely straight, she feels much happier with her smile than she used to and now gets lots of compliments.

Earlier this month, Emma Hill of the Telegraph said lots of adults are now opting to have invisible braces such as Invisalign because they are so discreet and completely different to the options available years ago.

People who have never been happy with their teeth are getting the chance to transform them thanks to invisible braces.

Emma Hill of the Telegraph said brands such as Invisalign are so discreet that adults are flocking to have them fitted instead of putting up with wonky smiles.

She revealed that a well-known newscaster is currently wearing invisible braces to read the news without anyone noticing, but declined to mention who.

One patient who had them fitted, Gemma Haupt, told the newspaper even her friends and family were unaware until they were inches from her face.

“I didn’t tell my parents for a month and they didn’t notice,” she said.

Ms Hill pointed out that people who opt for invisible braces will probably experience less pain than would be the case with traditional “train tracks” because they move the teeth more precisely.

Earlier this month, writer Kevin Tetter of Helium said he found his braces to be brilliant and wondered why he waited so long to have the cosmetic dentistry.
 

A writer has spoken of her positive experience with invisible braces after undergoing a six-week treatment.

Connie Allfrey, 29, told the London Evening Standard she was advised to have cosmetic dentistry after being told that one of her incisors was growing out of line.

She went for Invisalign braces after her dental assistant told her they are “nice and discreet”, unlike fitted metal versions.

After wearing them for everything except eating, Ms Allfrey said she has got an almost perfect smile again.

“Six weeks later my tooth is back in line and I’m only wearing the brace at night,” she explained.

However, the writer admitted that she had an embarrassing incident at work after accidentally leaving her invisible braces on her desk, resulting in her setting off the burglar alarm as she went back to retrieve them after-hours.

Myleene Klass is one of a growing number of older brace-wearers, something she recently revealed live on This Morning.
   

People who need invisible braces have been reminded of the importance of following a good oral health regime in order to keep teeth in top condition.

Helium Health and Fitness said it is vital to brush and floss the teeth around the invisible braces to prevent cavities developing – special brushes will be available to assist patients in doing this.

Good toothpaste and mouthwashes could also be important in killing bacteria, the publication said.

Meanwhile, it may be wise to avoid certain foods such as carrots and apples or cut them up to prevent breakage of the cosmetic dentistry tools.

“You must take proper care of dental braces during orthodontic treatment,” Helium concluded.

Earlier this month, Myleene Klass revealed on ITV1′s This Morning that she wears invisible braces to correct slight imperfections in her smile.

The former Hear’Say singer even opened her mouth wide to show viewers how good they are.

Invisible braces could be needed by people with tongue piercings, after a new study has shown they could suffer from gapped teeth.

Academics from the research-intensive University at Buffalo, New York, have discovered that playing with a stud and pushing it around the mouth can lead to the need for cosmetic dentistry.

Assistant professor of orthodontics at the university’s School of Dental Medicine Sawsan Tabbaa said that the force will obviously lead to changes in the mouth.

“It makes perfect sense that constant pushing of the stud against the teeth every day with no break will move them or drive them apart,” she added.

The study looked at a 26-year-old woman with a barbell-shaped tongue stud, who had not had any space between her teeth before the piercing.

Seven years later, she needed braces to correct the damage.

Dr Tabbaa warned people to avoid tongue piercing, as it also carries a risk of haemorrhage and chipped teeth, which could lead to emergency dentistry.

£75k grant awarded by Align Technology.

The maker of Invisalign braces Align Technology has announced the award of a $75,000 (£49,100) grant to researchers in the US as part of its Clear Aligner Research Award Programme. 

The recipients of the funding are Dr Maria Orellana, assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, and Dr Robyn Silberstein, clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry.

“We were pleased with the level of academic interest in clear aligner therapy research and we will continue to sponsor the programme for 2011,” said Align’s vice-president of clinical technology Dr Eric Kuo.

Meanwhile, the company also recently announced that it is to remove its prerequisite that dentists must demonstrate they are able to offer its products to at least ten patients over the course of a year in order to qualify for the use of Invisalign braces.

Dentists will now be able to offer this service however many patients they treat each year.

More dentists will now be able to provide Invisalign braces.

More dentists across the UK could soon be offering Invisalign braces to their patients following an announcement by the manufacturer that it will remove case requirements.

In the past, dentists could only offer the treatment if they were able to show they had at least ten cases per year where Invisalign braces were an option.

However, the company has now back-tracked on this requirement, although dentists will still be required to take at least ten hours training in the use of the product.

A press release by Align Technology stated: “Effective immediately, doctors will no longer be required to start a minimum of ten shipped cases per year to maintain their active provider status.”

Elsewhere, Dental Plans recently reported that Dr Homayoun Aminyar, a New York dental professional, has said that having braces fitted could improve the oral health of many children and help them avoid a number of serious complaints when they become adults.

Invisalign braces given to sick child.

A terminally ill child in Greece who wanted to have Invisalign braces fitted has had her wish come true through the actions of the Make A Wish Foundation.

Teenager Samantha really wanted to have Invisalign braces fitted and as a result, the company donated the braces to the charity and Samantha was driven in a limousine to a local dentist’s office where the braces were fitted for free.

Karen Buckels of the Make-A-Wish Foundation commented: “These kids never stop smiling. Despite it all they will tell you that they will be fine.”

She added children who are facing such adversity are encouraged to think big when making a wish.

Elsewhere, North Bay Today recently reported the Canadian Dental Association has recommended that anyone taking part in a sporting activity should wear a mouthguard.

The organisation noted all athletes should use these devices to ensure that the rough and tumble of sport does not impact on their oral health.