Orthodontics

What is Orthodontics?

Modern orthodontic treatment isn’t just about straight teeth. Good orthodontics also concentrates on improving the airway and jaw development (making enough room for teeth) in growing children and youths. We can help by assessing the potential growing problems and habits of your child. Early intervention in growing children can help reduce the time your child may require braces for, or even prevent the need for braces altogether!

Why do I need Orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontics can give you straighter teeth which are easier to keep clean and healthy and directly impacts the health of your entire mouth, as well as looking great. Orthodontics can also help to correct your bite to reduce unnecessary wear, or jaw joint pain. In some cases where more extensive work is required, orthodontics may decrease the amount of natural tooth required to be removed.

How is Orthodontic treatment performed?

When it does come to straightening teeth, it may be simpler than you think regardless of age. We have many ways to help achieve your ideal smile. Braces are usually the first thing people think of - but in a modern dental clinic there are now a number of options.  If you are concerned about the appearance of traditional braces, we can also consider tooth coloured braces and wires, lingual braces (braces on the inside of your mouth) or clear aligners such as Invisalign.

Traditional Braces

Contemporary braces systems now work much faster than in the past, decreasing the amount of time and discomfort that you have during your treatment. Traditional braces are usually the most cost effective and rapid way of straightening your teeth and can be used for almost any individual. Some people feel that the appearance of traditional braces is not for them, but we offer many more aesthetic alternatives as well!

Tooth Coloured Braces

Braces and wires are now available in a tooth coloured ceramic which looks much less obvious than traditional braces. Tooth coloured braces have the advantage of working as rapidly as traditional braces, but are slightly more expensive.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces are a new development which means you can have your teeth straightened while not showing any metal or ceramic on the outside of your teeth. Computerised simulations of your teeth and how they will move are developed for each case of lingual braces. While looking great, they are trickier to clean than traditional braces and can take some time to get used to living with. There is also a reasonable increase in cost for lingual braces compared to traditional braces.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are completely removable appliances which allow you to have hiding your smile as you have your teeth straightened. Clear aligners are completely computer controlled allowing precise planned movements of every tooth. Your aligners must be worn for 22 hours a day throughout the course of treatment to ensure that your teeth move according to plan. The aligners must be removed to eat and drink anything other than cool water. Tooth coloured buttons are usually required to help the aligners move your teeth accurately during treatment. The cost of clear aligners is usually far greater than traditional orthodontics, as well as taking longer for the alignment of your teeth. While clear aligners work well for many cases, some individuals are not suitable for clear aligners.