6-Month Smiles: orthodontic treatment in six months

Reviewed by: Dr Raha Sepehrara & Dr Richard J. DePaul

6 month smiles braces
This gentleman is wearing the
Six Month Braces.
Photo kindly donated by
Dr Raha Sepehrara.

What is 6 Month Braces / Smiles ?

Have you considered orthodontic or teeth straightening treatment but been put off by the prospect of wearing braces or aligners every day for up to three years? Now there is an answer for those wanting a quick fix for their crooked smile – the revolutionary 6-Month Smiles treatment.

Six-Month Smiles can be used to treat a wide variety of orthodontic complaints, including:

  • Crowding - teeth are too close together
  • Spacing - gaps between teeth
  • Overbite - teeth overlap too much
  • Overjet - front teeth stick out
  • Underbite - lower teeth stick out
  • Crossbite - teeth bite on the wrong side of each other
  • Openbite - your teeth do not meet when you bite
  • Misplaced midline - centre lines of upper and lower teeth don't align

The main benefits of the 6-Month Smiles system are:

  • The wires are discreet, being small and tooth-coloured.
  • Treatment time is reduced by up to 75%.
  • Discomfort is kept to a minimum, as the teeth are gently repositioned.
  • Cost is around half that of traditional braces or Invisalign.
six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Anoop Maini
six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Raha Sepehrara

What does the treatment involve?

During your first visit, you will be fully assessed and your dentist will take some photographs, X-rays and examine your smile. Your dentist will also give you an indication as to whether the 6-Month Smiles treatment is suitable for you and the likely treatment time and costs involved.

Following this, you will be fitted with the special 6-Month Smiles braces, which are small, white brackets, and special wires that come directly from the 6-Month Smiles laboratory in the United States.

After your first fitting, you will visit your dentist every 4-5 weeks for short 10-15 minute appointments for regular adjustments of your braces until the end of your treatment.

six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Nick Simon

If the 6-Month Smiles is a new treatment, how do I know it will work for me?

In the UK, 6-Month Smiles is a new technique, but in the US, 100s of patients have undergone the 6-Month Smiles program of treatment with fantastic success. This is an exciting new treatment in the UK, which could be a perfect solution to correcting crooked teeth before a wedding, for example.

six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
six month smiles before
after 6 month smiles braces
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Nick Simon
6 month smiles lady
six month smiles after treatment
6 month smiles lady
six month smiles after treatment
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Richard J. DePaul
6 month smiles lady
six month smiles fater treatment
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Ryan Swain

How is it possible for teeth to be straightened in six months if other braces take 2-3 years?

6-Month Smiles utilises the latest technology and techniques in orthodontic dentistry to move your teeth in a manner that is both quick and safe. The treatment focuses on moving the teeth that show when you smile rather than all of your teeth, and it uses special nickel titanium wires to achieve this.

Will 6-Month Smiles wires show like train-track braces?

The 6-Month Smiles system uses tooth-coloured braces and wires that are only visible when close-up. They are not like train-track braces; however, they are more visible than clear braces like the Invisalign system, but the benefits of completing treatment in a fraction of the time outweigh this.

Is treatment painful?

Like any orthodontic treatment, there will be some discomfort when you start the treatment, but over time you will become accustomed to it. What sets the 6-Month Smiles braces apart is that they use low force to move teeth more comfortably. 6-Month Braces utilise standard orthodontic mechanics, but with an emphasis on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth rather than the position of your bite. It may be advisable to take some mild painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol during the first few days of your treatment.

6 month smiles lady
six month smiles after treatment
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Ryan Swain

Will 6-Month braces affect my speech?

During the first week or so after having your braces fitted, your speech may be affected and you may salivate a little more than usual, but it should soon return to normal.

6 month smiles lady
six month smiles after treatment
The photographs above were kindly donated by Dr Richard J. DePaul

Will I have to wear a retainer after treatment with 6-Month Smiles braces?

All orthodontic treatment requires retention afterwards to reduce the risk of relapse. Your teeth have a tendency to move back to their natural position and retention will prevent this. Your dentist will either provide you with a night-time removable retainer to wear, or you can be fitted with a permanent bonded retainer on the back surfaces of your teeth.

How much do Six-Month Smiles braces cost?

The cost of treatment using the 6-Month Smiles system is much less than that of the equivalent treatment with conventional train track braces or Invisalign, but will vary between practices.