Welcome to UK Adult Braces
A blog for adults considering or undergoing orthodontic treatment
The orthodontic patients blog
If you are thinking about getting braces, have just started wearing them, have had them for some time or are just interested in orthodontics, this site will be of interest to you. It contains articles on everything from traditional metal braces to the latest lingual braces, Invisalign, invisible braces, clear brackets, retainers, how to get by with braces, the latest advances in orthodontics, new products and services, dental news and exhibitions. There are also links to some great adult braces blogs and video’s, articles written by orthodontists, orthodontic staff and patients, orthodontic academic research and opinion as well as plenty of general information about what it is like to undertake adult orthodontics and how to survive wearing braces.
Image © fotolia.com
What’s on the blog
Wearing braces
Find out what it is really like to have braces as an adult
Information
You will find a large number of posts about braces helping you to make an informed decision about treatment
Interviews
You can get a fascinating insight into the people who work in orthodontics
Braces
Find out about the different types of braces from people who have already undertaken orthodontic treatment
Aligners
Are aligners an alternative to traditional braces, find out more
Bloggers
Read some great posts from other bloggers who have written about their braces experiences
Retainers
Learn about the different types of retainers and what your options might be
News and Research
Articles about orthodontics, services, practices, evidence based orthodontics and treatments
Options and choices
Discover all the options for orthodontic treatment to help you make the right decision
Latest blog posts
A great braces video blog
In a great series of video's, Isabelle takes you through her adult braces experience with some really clear explanations as to why she started treatment and her experience of having metal brackets as an adult. https://youtu.be/4SNO2OpPjd4
Staring at a straight wire
When you first get your braces, you will usually start with a very light and flexible wire. In your hands, this wire feels incredibly delicate and thin but once attached to some brackets, produces some amazing results really quickly. This first phase of your treatment...
Some predictions for 2018
I usually start the New Year with a post about the benefits of orthodontics and encouraging those who are thinking about treatment to take their first step towards getting the smile they have always wanted. This year, in a break from previous years, I'm going to write...
2017 Another great year for UK Adult Braces
2017 has been another fantastic year for UK Adult Braces! I'm very grateful for the huge support I am getting for this site and continue to see the readership grow each month. There have been a number of highlights for me this year and in this post I will share these...
An Invisalign blog from Lucie
Lucie has recently started getting her teeth straightened with Invisalign. She previously looked at DIY braces with Smile Direct and after reading some reviews, decided to not pursue this option and to visit a dentist to explore getting her teeth straightened with...
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart
Philips very kindly sent me one of their new Sonicare DiamondClean Smart toothbrushes to review and over the last couple of months I have been using this brush and exploring all that it has to offer. In this first article, I will be explaining what you get in the box...
British Orthodontic Conference 2017
I was delighted to receive an invitation from the British Orthodontic Society to their annual orthodontic conference which was held in Manchester. I arrived the evening before and found my way to my hotel near the Salford Quays. There is an excellent tram system in...
iTero Scanning
Whilst attending the recent BDIA dental show in Birmingham, Invisalign kindly invited to try the iTero intraoral scanner and I can assure you, it's not as easy as it looks! Once comfortably seated behind the 'phantom head' I was instructed to start scanning the...
Orthodontic bands
During a recent visit to the fascinating orthodontic museum at the British Orthodontic Society in London, I was chatting to the Sophie, the curator, about the collection and we were discussing what the patient experience might have been like previously. The image...
Looking after your team member with braces
During a catch up with a former colleague in London recently, they mentioned that two of their team members will be getting braces in the near future. We chatted about how she can best support them and on the way back to my hotel, jotted down a few notes that I hope...
Jessica’s great video on Six-Month Smiles
For a while I've been following Jessica and Claudia on YouTube. They produce some great videos that include a wide variety of topics including disability and LGBT issues, lifestyle, travel and days out. All the videos are produced with a really interesting 'vintage'...
Promoting lifelong retainer wear
The British Orthodontic Society have recently launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging patients to think about lifelong wearing of retainers. Using the hashtag #HoldthatSmile, the Society aims to increase awareness of the need to continue wearing retainers long...
Do you want to learn about dentistry?
I was recently made aware of a great free course delivered by the University of Sheffield Dental School for anyone interesting in learning more about dentistry. Keen to find out more, I signed up for the course and have just completed week two. The course is delivered...
Are braces comfortable?
In a blog post today, Prof. Kevin O'Brien reviewed a study that looked at whether Invisalign aligners were more comfortable than conventional fixed braces. This started me thinking about the whole concept of braces and comfort and can you ever be comfortable whilst...
Braces travel kit
Soon after you get fixed braces, you will quickly realise that before leaving the house, you will need to take a small supply of essential dental products with you. Over time, this kit gets more refined until you take just the minimum you need to get by on a daily...
A coffee with Dr. Paroo Mistry
In another great interview, I talk to Dr. Paroo Mistry about her enthusiasm for orthodontics and working with motivated patients.
Removing braces in Photoshop
I came across this video the other evening when looking for a tutorial on using Adobe Photoshop to edit some images and thought it worth sharing for anyone who wants to have a go at removing their braces from photos. When being treated by aligners or lingual braces,...
Retention video from the British Orthodontic Society
I've often written about the importance of retention and I'm delighted to see that the British Orthodontic Society have produced an excellent video to support their new retention campaign #HoldthatSmile. It's only a couple of minutes long and well worth watching....
It’s not what you eat
It's been a good year for apples. Our apple tree is full this year as are many of those in the orchards near our home. Sitting in the garden this afternoon after work I was thinking back to some great advice my orthodontist gave me the day I had my braces fitted, he...
The Northcroft Masks
At a recent event at the British Orthodontic Society headquarters in London, I was privileged to see the Northcroft Masks. I had heard about these before and was very much looking forward to the opportunity to see them and learn more about them and the dentist who...
Why do patients stop wearing their retainers?
Given the time and money adults invest in getting treatment and the ease of fitting retainer wear schedules into a busy life, you would think that adult patients would be incredibly compliant but is this the case?