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WEDDING SMILES
BY RICHARD GIBSON
Richard Gibson, Principal of Wallasey Orthodontics and Consultant
to Liverpool University Dental Hospital talks to us about dentistry.
As I sit here writing this month’s piece, we are now well into the New
Year. I can’t help thinking how many resolutions may have faded
already? thing I did and I am so happy with the result! My wedding pictures
make me so happy when I see how straight they are now and I’ve had
lots of compliments.”
Photographs surround us in everyday life. Whether conventionally
placed in albums that sit gathering dust – making it out once in a blue
moon or positioned with pride of place in your kitchen or lounge. On
the walls of your hall or bedroom or flashing up on your computer,
phone and television, photographs are powerful and as humans they
are important in our culture and our storytelling. Whether it be big
occasions or everyday life the photos we take elicit memories and
feelings, often reminding us about the things or people we should be
grateful for. But unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone. My mum
is a perfect example! She loves photos but hates to be in them. Flicking
back over the years – she has been quite successful but this is something
we’re working on. For Laura it was her first time in braces - “The main reason I went to
see Richard and the team at Wallasey Orthodontics was because I was
getting married and wanted to smile without feeling self-conscious on
my wedding day. I didn’t want to look back on photos of the happiest day
of my life and hate them because of my teeth.” Laura chose a bespoke
Incognito lingual brace that fits behind the teeth – so no-one knew she
was having the work done – unless she decided to show them! “Getting
the brace was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I adjusted to it being
behind my teeth fairly quickly and would definitely recommend this
brace to anyone who is unhappy with their teeth. The treatment has
given me so much confidence and my teeth are constantly on show.
Finally, I’m not shy about smiling!”
In our digital world and with social media snapping for our attention
we probably see more photos of ourselves now than ever before. Not
surprising then, that one of the most mentioned reasons for having
orthodontic treatment now is that “I’ve noticed I don’t like my smile
on photos” or even worse “I don’t smile properly on photos”. Over the
years we’ve helped thousands of people smile and seen some amazing
transformations with the confidence that this inspires. Some of the
most rewarding are our “brides-to-be” but this is rapidly turning into
wedding parties as mothers of the bride, grooms and bridesmaids get in
on the party! 2017 was a big year for two such brides Steph and Laura. Having feedback like this from our patients can be overwhelming and
it’s amazing to think that in our own way we have helped shape those
memories in the photographs.
Steph had a brace when she was younger but like so many people didn’t
wear her retainers. Unfortunately, her teeth drifted back with one
front tooth moving behind the others. Steph writes, “I was always self-
conscious about my tooth being set back and looking like I had a gap on
pictures. As soon as we booked our wedding I knew I wanted to change
my teeth! Richard was great in explaining what would give me the best
results within our timeframe and I decided to go for a tooth coloured
fixed brace. It took 9 months and the process was so straight forward
with only having to go every few months for check-ups. It was the best
62 wirrallife.com
Photographs are used heavily in marketing and amongst orthodontic
companies many slogans exist. Invisalign’s current slogan is “made to
move” and this is irrespective of age. The adult market is the single
largest area of growth in orthodontics so there has never been a better
time to take the plunge. Another one that we hear from time to time
is “Braces change faces”. I like this because it brings with it the idea of
the impact your smile has on your face and perhaps even the ease with
which you will use that smile. For me, orthodontic treatment does more
than this – braces change lives!
Be the next person to benefit! We offer the full range of appliances
designed to meet your financial and aesthetic needs from Invisalign to
Incognito and tooth-coloured brackets to stand out colours.
Contact Wallasey Orthodontics or visit our website at www.
wallaseyorthodontics.co.uk to see the ways we can make you smile.