Question 1

What is Six Month Smiles?

Accepted Answer

Six Month Smiles is an orthodontic treatment that claims to give you straight teeth more quickly than traditional braces. It uses discreet clear braces with tooth-colored wires, to straighten teeth and close gaps. The company also offers a clear aligner tray option, if you prefer removable trays to metal braces and your alignment issues aren't too severe.

The Six Month Smiles system is offered by 10,000 participating dentists, not by an orthodontist. According to the company, six months is the average treatment time, though it can take between four and nine months. Some RealSelf members say it took much longer than they’d expected.

Treatment time is shortened because it focuses on moving solely the most prominent, visible teeth. “Six Month Smiles is a limited orthodontic treatment used by general dentists, typically to correct only front teeth,” says Houston-based orthodontist Dr. Peter Sutton.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of Six Month Smiles?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Six Month Smiles offers both clear braces and clear aligner trays. You can even mix and match these options—for example, an aligner on your top teeth and clear braces on the bottom.
The clear braces are less noticeable than traditional braces.
It can correct minor alignment issues and give you a straight smile by focusing on the front teeth.
This treatment typically works in less time than traditional braces, which address all your teeth (not just the front ones) and can correct more seriously crooked teeth or bite issues.

Cons

Six Month Smiles braces target only the teeth that show, so this treatment route is not considered to be as effective as traditional braces or Invisalign.
Ignoring the rest of your teeth may exacerbate bite problems, which can lead to gum damage and (in rare cases) chipped or broken teeth, as well as other oral health issues. Having a consultation with an orthodontist can help confirm that you'd be a good candidate for this more short-term, limited treatment option.
As with other types of braces and aligners, you’ll need to wear a retainer every night after your treatment is over, to keep your teeth from shifting back.
You’ll feel some discomfort and soreness with every adjustment, as with regular braces and aligners.

Question 3

How much do Six Month Smiles braces cost?

Accepted Answer

Six Month Smiles treatment is typically less expensive than traditional braces (which are always applied and adjusted by an orthodontist) or Invisalign.

The company offers a monthly payment plan, and most participating dentists offer their own plans.

Some dental and healthcare plans have orthodontic benefits that may cover a portion of Six Month Smiles, so contact your insurance provider to find out how much they will contribute.

Question 4

Does Six Month Smiles really work?

Accepted Answer

Six Month Smiles can improve the positioning of your teeth, but it may not leave your smile looking flawless.

“In six months, the smile will look a lot better, but it will not be perfect,’” says Dr. Lance Timmerman, a cosmetic dentist in Tukwila, Washington. “If you really want perfection, see an orthodontist. It will likely take two to three years.”

If you decide to go with Six Month Smiles, you'll start with a consultation with a Six Month Smiles dentist. They’ll send X-rays and impressions of your teeth to Six Month Smiles, and their experts will evaluate you and determine if you’re a good candidate. If you have bite issues or complicated dental problems, you may need more extensive orthodontic treatment.

If they determine that you're a good candidate, a braces kit will be custom-designed for you by one of company's orthodontic specialists, and then sent to your dentist.

Your dentist will put the clear brackets and wires on your teeth during your next appointment, a process that takes about an hour.

Throughout your treatment, you’ll need to return to your dentist three to seven times for adjustments, until you both agree that you have a sufficiently straight smile.

Question 5

Invisalign or Six Month Smiles: Which is better?

Accepted Answer

Invisalign or Six Month Smiles: Which is better?

Orthodontists say that Six Month Smiles is also not as effective as Invisalign, which uses both clear aligner trays and attachments to apply more pressure to teeth, correcting more complicated dental issues like an overbite. Invisalign also addresses all your teeth, not just your front teeth.

“With Invisalign, you have far better control over individual tooth movement,” says Dr. Kenneth Barton, an orthodontist with offices in New York and New Jersey.

SIX MONTH SMILES

Lesley Rotchford

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Lesley Rotchford

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