Short Term Orthodontics

A smile with straighter teeth in just six months!

Imagine having the smile you’ve always wanted without altering your teeth or needing a long period of time to do it.

Braces for adults? Most adults would say “no!” for two main reasons: the length of treatment and the “train tracks” or visible metal braces. What if both these barriers could be eliminated or minimized?

A beautiful, symmetrical smile in just six months – and no one will ever know you wore braces!

At Flax Dental, we offer Six Month Smiles™ or STO (Short Term Orthodontics), a process that discreetly straightens crooked teeth by improving the symmetry of your smile in six months or less!

With Six Month Smiles™, we can:

• Round out arches
• Straighten crooked teeth (correct crowding)
• Close spaces
• Upright flared anterior teeth
• Position the teeth better for more conservative cosmetic care

After four to six months, the arch form is round or spaces between teeth are closed. The STO technique is conservative and effective for 95% of adults who don’t want comprehensive orthodontics. Created by Dr. Clifton Georgaklis in Boston, Massachusetts and perfected by Dr. Ryan Swain in Rochester, NY, STO has been used and proven effective for over 17 years.

How it works

Crooked teeth are straightened with clear braces and tooth-colored, Teflon-coated wire that returns to its natural shape when bent to help pull and gently rotate the tooth. Crooked teeth are moved small distances. After treatment, the teeth are held in place with either retainers or splinted (connected) behind the teeth to prevent a relapse. Through this minimally invasive dental procedure, patients also notice a more comfortable bite, less wear on crooked teeth, less food collection in between teeth and fewer gum problems in the future.

At the last visit, other cosmetic dental treatments such as gum redesign, contouring and bonding, porcelain veneers, and teeth whitening can be provided for a dramatic final result.

The difference between Six Month Smiles™ and other alternatives

Comprehensive orthodontics, commonly performed on children and young adults, are focused on creating perfection. It takes six to eight months to straighten teeth, and another 16 – 18 months to “perfect” the bite. The goal is perfect arch alignment and ideal root angulation.

Clear braces (Invisalign, Essix), seen on TV, use a series of clear plastic trays to move the teeth. Although you have the “advantage” of taking them out when you eat, you have to constantly remember which trays to wear and when to put them in your mouth. Dr. Flax, a general dentist in Atlanta, Georgia, uses STO to control the results far better and lessen your treatment time and costs using near invisible brackets and wires.

With Six Month Smiles™ or STO, time is reduced to four - nine months, with little movement of arches and root.

Interested in correcting crooked teeth in just six months? Contact us at Flax Dental, your ortho in Atlanta, today!

FAQ

Compliments of Six Month Smiles™

Q: What is 6 Month Smiles?

• Six Month Smiles™ braces are clear
• Wires are usually tooth-colored and very small
• Treatment times usually fall within 4-9 months
• Discomfort is minimal as teeth are gently repositioned
• Cost is usually less than traditional braces

Q: How can teeth be straightened in only six months?
A: The Six Month Smiles™ technique employs the latest technology and techniques in dentistry to move your teeth quickly and safely. The key components of the treatment are the use of special nickel titanium wires and a primary focus of moving the teeth that show when you smile.

Q: Six months sounds good, but will I still have a mouth full of metal for the whole time?
A: No! Six Month Smiles™ dentists use tooth-colored braces that are barely visible. The wires are usually tooth-colored as well. These are nothing like metal braces!

Q: How are Six Month Smiles™ more comfortable than regular braces?

A: Six Month Smiles™ use low force to move teeth more comfortably. Many people think that the accelerated treatment means simply “tightening” regular braces to get the teeth moving, but that is not true. Six Month Smiles™ utilizes standard orthodontic mechanics, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite.

Q: Do Six Month Smiles™ braces damage the teeth, roots, or gums?
A: There are no more risks of root damage or other issues than those associated with traditional orthodontics. Since the forces used with Six Month Smiles™ braces are lighter and teeth are seldom extracted, there are actually even fewer risks involved with Six Month Smiles™ orthodontics.

Q: Will I have to wear a retainer?
A: Yes, as with any teeth-straightening treatment a retainer is necessary to maintain the straighter position of your teeth. If you don’t want to wear a removable retainer, you can have a bonded retainer placed. There are a variety of options that you can choose from according to your personal preference and situation.

Q: What's the catch?
A: There really is no catch. If you are an adult (15 years and older) with crooked or spaced teeth and you're not looking for a major alteration to your bite, this could be the solution for you! Most adults ARE candidates for Six Month Smiles™.