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.
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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
Invisalign attachments
If you are undertaking Invisalign treatment, you will probably need attachments added during at some point to enable to the aligners to grip better and to achieve a range of movements that would not be possible without them. This great...
Dental anxiety
Many people, myself included, do not look forward to visiting a dentist and the reasons for this are often complex and deeply rooted in past experiences. To undertake orthodontic treatment will result in many visits to an orthodontist over several years and possibly...
The benefits of straight teeth
When thinking about undertaking orthodontic treatment it is easy to focus on the cosmetic benefits of having straight teeth but are there other benefits that we can get from having braces? A quick search revealed quite a few. Healthier gums - gum disease can result...
Invisalign deep bite treatment
There are so many really good video clips on sites such as YouTube which explain many different aspects of orthodontics and this is one I came across earlier which shows how the Invisalign system can correct a deep bite. If this is part...
Should General Dentists provide orthodontic treatment?
Throughout this site, I have made frequent reference to orthodontists and a previous post written by Dr. Angus Pringle (here) explains the training required to become an orthodontist in the UK. You may also be aware that a dentist without specialist orthodontic...
How to keep your removable retainers clean
Once finished with orthodontic treatment, you will get retainers to keep everything where it should be and to prevent your teeth from relapsing. These retainers will either be fixed in place behind your teeth or removable for wearing as directed by your orthodontist....
Invisalign refinements – an update from Anna
In her blog, 'a whole lot of chitty chat', Anna has written an update on her progress with Invisalign. She has reached the refinement stage and has another nine Invisalign trays to go to finish her treatment. She also talks about the importance of keeping your teeth...
Why is Invisalign so popular?
I recently read that Invisalign has treated over three million patients so I thought I would try and find out what makes this treatment option so popular. I have not had Invisalign so can't write from first hand experience so have relied on the comments of many...
BOS Advice Leaflets
The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has a great website with a great deal of patient oriented information including some downloadable leaflets covering adult orthodontics, different types of braces, retainers, IPR, brace friendly food and drink and a lot more. If...
How I got my smile back – a lingual braces blog
I have just come across another lovely blog written by Victoria who is undergoing lingual braces treatment at the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic. In her post, she describes why she decided to get braces as an adult and how she regained her confidence to smile...
6 Month Smiles
Professor Kevin O'Brien, a well known and respected figure in UK orthodontics writes a blog, mainly aimed at dental professionals, in which he discusses the results of orthodontic research. A number of his posts are more general in nature and one published today...
Are braces expensive?
When deciding to get your teeth straightened, there are many things to think about including which practice to go to, what treatment option to take and whether you can justify the cost. I think most people recognise the cost is not insignificant and figures of...
Orthodontic emergencies
It would be nice to think that your entire time with braces will go well and you will have no need to call for an emergency appointment but things do happen and this post is about what might happen and what I experienced during my 33 months with braces. When you first...
Choosing an orthodontist
On the assumption that your city has a number of orthodontists, how do you go about choosing the right one? Firstly it is important to realise there is a difference between a specialist orthodontist and a dentist offering orthodontics. Any dentist can offer...
How to avoid losing your retainers
I read an interesting tweet yesterday in which someone described how a patient had reported that they had lost their retainers on a picnic as, and are you ready for this, a sheep had eaten it! Looking through other tweets this clearly isn't a one off occurrence, well...
Essential braces kit
Most brace wearers will soon discover that to get through the day, they will need to devise a small kit of essential items that will frequently come in handy. My own kit varied depending on what I was doing and where I was going but I always, and I mean always, had a...
A most difficult decision
Just after the orthodontist or therapist has checked your braces and removed any elastics or arch wires, a nurse usually appears with a colour wheel in hand to ask you what colour elastics you want on your braces this time. Now this, I can assure you, is a very...
Invisalign – How does it work?
In this video, the whole Invisalign process is described giving a fascinating insight into this clever technology.
BOS Orthodontics – making the right choice for you
I have now viewed this clip several times since first seeing it at the launch in London last week. It contains some really useful advice about questions to ask prior to starting treatment and is well worth watching.
The BOS Guide: Orthodontics for Adults
I was recently invited to an event hosted by the British Orthodontic Society to launch their new guide on orthodontics for adults. Prior to the main presentation, I had the opportunity to speak to Alison Murray, the President of BOS and Guy Deeming, the Chair of the...
Goodbye Miss Gappy – A lingual braces blog
I attended an event in London last week and was delighted to meet Charlotte who has recently finished her lingual brace treatment at the well respected London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic under the care of Asif Chatoo. Her blog is a detailed account of her treatment...