Quick teeth straightening

What teeth straightening problems can arise if not carried out by an experienced professional?

There are many adverts on television and social media lately, with companies offering people the chance to have straight teeth, all from the comfort of their own home. The company will arrange for a scan of the patient’s teeth to be carried out and then different aligners are sent in the post for people to wear.

There are other methods of teeth straightening through smile clinics, such as ‘six month smile’ whereby the patient has a new smile in six months, without the need to wear braces for a period of up to three years.

Generally, the treatment provided by these companies, focuses on moving the teeth which you see when you smile, rather than all of the teeth. Therefore, if you have other issues with your occlusion (i.e. your bite) you may not be a suitable candidate for this type of work. Many of these smile companies are not necessarily registered as a company in the UK, which can make it difficult to speak to someone regarding any issues that you are having. Further, you are often not seen in person by a dentist and therefore you are not reviewed to monitor progress of your teeth and to identify any issues.

Teeth straightening problems

The British Orthodontic Society reports the following potential teeth straightening problems, if not carried out correctly:

• Issues with the gums, including gum disease or gum recession if the teeth are pushed out of the jawbone if there is not enough space for all your teeth.
• The way the teeth bite together can be affected:
• The teeth bite up into the gum of the roof of your mouth causing soreness.
• The opposite can be true where the contact between your teeth is less, so reducing biting efficiency.
• The top teeth can be pushed out to make them appear to ‘stick out’.
• Relapse, the teeth return to the position they were before, which is often seen where the treatment is very quick or retainers are not provided appropriately.

If a patient is faced with the above issues, it can be very stressful and costly having to see a specialist to undergo remedial work. Further, patient’s can be left suffering with occlusion issues and suffer daily pain and difficulties eating.

What to expect from a dentist/orthodontist

The British Orthodontic Society also report that, in order to avoid problems which can arise with teeth straightening, a diligent dentist or Orthodontist should always:

• Ask you about your concerns.
• Outline all the different treatment options and their risks and benefits.
• Explain about the different types of braces.
• Estimate how long the treatment should take.
• Explain about retainers at the start of treatment, and the possible need for lifelong wear if the teeth are to stay in their new place.
• Explain how likely the teeth are to stay in their new position at the end of treatment (that is the stability of the final result).
• At the start, explain what other procedures may be required as part of the treatment.
• Give you thinking time to decide if you want to go ahead.
• Give you a written treatment plan and fee estimate (if appropriate).
• Tell you how much orthodontic training they have had.

You should not feel embarrassed or afraid to ensure they receive acceptable advice and treatment.

Summary

For some patients they may find that a ‘quick smile’ has been successful. However, for some the patient was never a suitable candidate and the aims of treatment were never going to be achieved. The Dental Negligence Team has experience in dealing with all types of dental related matters where treatment has not turned out as expected. If you have suffered or are experiencing problems after having your teeth straightened, you may have a claim for Dental Negligence.  Please call us for specialist advice.