CFAST

Q. What is Cfast? A. Cfast is a simple cosmetic system which uses orthodontic appliances specially designed to straighten the front teeth of adults to provide a significant improvement in the appearance of their smile in a time frame of usually less than 6 months. Q. How does it work? A. There are many ways to move your front teeth but the most common is by using a tooth coloured brace that is fixed to the front of your teeth. Cosmetic Nickel Titanium wires work in conjunction with ceramic brackets to gently align the teeth into a better position using very light forces. Because the appliance has tooth coloured brackets and wires it is very discreet. However there are also braces that can be used on the inside of your teeth which are completely invisible as well as plastic aligners for those patient that prefer a removable option. Your dentist will be best placed to discuss with you what is most appropriate in your case. Q. Why is it so fast? A. Cfast focuses on just the front teeth, the teeth you can see when you smile for a purely cosmetic improvement. Teeth at the front of the mouth have just one root and the bone here is less dense than at the back of the mouth. As such, treatment can be concluded in a significantly shorter time frame when compared with traditional braces. Conventional orthodontics repositions all the teeth in your mouth including the ones at the back which adds significantly to the time – usually around 18-24 months. Since most adults are not concerned about the position of their back teeth and want to avoid lengthy treatments, Cfast provides an ideal solution. Q. Is it better than traditional braces or orthodontics? A. Cfast should not be compared to traditional orthodontics or braces. The main aim of traditional orthodontics is to move the teeth and jaws, mainly of children, into an ideal relationship so that they will function well when biting and chewing. Cfast is aimed only at adults and is carried out purely for cosmetic reasons. The alternative to Cfast will be crowns or veneers which usually involve the enamel of otherwise healthy teeth to be drilled down and as such can be quite destructive. Moving teeth into a better position avoids having to carry out other more damaging treatments. Q. Is it painful? A. As with any orthodontic procedure there can be some discomfort for a few days after appliance is fitted. However because with Cfast the forces are very light usually after the first 7-10 days there should be little to no pain at all. During treatment you may find that the teeth become a little mobile and sensitive to pressure. This is quite normal and will fully resolve when the braces are removed. Q. Are there any complications? A. Not everyone will be suitable for treatment and cases are only selected where we can achieve a significant improvement in appearance in a reasonable time frame. There may be underlying health conditions or problems with some of your existing teeth which may mean that treatment either cannot be performed or needs to be modified. Your dentist will be able to discuss with you in detail about your particular situation as every case is different. Q. Will I be restricted in what I can eat? A. If you have opted for a fixed brace then it is advisable to avoid hard foods such as nuts, popcorn, crusty bread or any such foods that may accidentally dislodge the brackets. It is also best to stay away from heavily coloured foods which may on occasion stain the brace, however if this does happen your dentist will be able to easily restore the cosmetic appearance. With removable aligners, it is best that these are removed before eating or drinking. Q.Will I have problems cleaning my teeth? A. It can be a little more challenging to clean your teeth if you are wearing a brace. However good oral hygiene is very important during treatment and your dentist or dental hygienist will show you how to best look after your teeth as well as suggest the right products to use. Q. How will I know what kind of result I can expect? A. Cfast can provide you with 3D computer imaging as well as models to accurately show you what your teeth should look like following the straightening procedure. Q. How long does treatment take? A. Cfast is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry know as cosmetic orthodontics or short-term orthodontics. By definition treatment times are significantly shorter than conventional orthodontics. Treatment should take no longer than 9 months but the vast majority are complete in a 4-6 month period. Your Dentist will be able to give you a rough idea of how long treatment will take in your case when you attend for your initial consultation. Q. Will I need to wear retainers? A. Regardless of how teeth are moved, either by normal orthodontics, removable aligners or Cfast, if they are not held in position there is a strong possibility that they will start to move in time. The Cfast protocol provides two types of retainers; a fixed retainer which is permanently bonded to the inside of the teeth as well as a removable retainer which is worn over night. The removable retainer, which is worn every night is the main retainer. It is advisable that for the first year you wear the retainer every night while sleeping only and 3-4 nights per week thereafter. As long as you wear your retainer your teeth will not move. The fixed retainer is a very thin metal strip which is invisible and very comfortable. This is the back-up retainer and is there to ensure that there is no significant tooth movement should the removable retainer become lost or damaged. They can last over 2 years and may require repair or replacement. Your dentist will explain retainers in more detail when you attend for your initial consultation. Q. Will I need to have teeth taken out? A. With Cfast extractions are not required. Space to relieve crowding is gained by gently easing the contact points between the teeth using a polishing strip. This creates a very small space between the teeth that allow them to move and slide past each other into a more ideal position. The conservative removal of enamel between the teeth using these special polishing strips is very safe and a well-recognised procedure in dentistry and does not damage the teeth. In rare circumstances the dentist may advocate the removal of a front tooth in the lower jaw if there is extreme crowding. However, if this is required you will be consulted fully and further special investigations will be carried out before proceeding. Q. How much does it cost? A. Treatment costs vary and depend on whether you are treating just one jaw or both jaws and whether there are any particular circumstances which may make treatment more complicated than normal. In general the costs are comparable to other orthodontic and cosmetic procedures. Your dentist will be able to assess costs when you attend for your initial consultation. Q. Is the price inclusive – are there any hidden costs? A. When you attend for your initial consultation the dentist will explain in detail what the price of treatment includes and provide a written estimate explaining in detail what the associated costs are. In general though the price will cover the initial investigations, fitting the appliance and all review appointments including adjustments required as well as the retainers. Extra’s such as tooth whitening and modifications to the shape of teeth following the straightening process are usually charged separately.