Orthodontics

We offer Orthodontic services for both children and adults. This treatment involves the wearing of either removable or fixed appliances ("braces") which carry elastics or springs to move teeth into chosen positions. Some orthodontics is carried out to move the teeth into positions where they will bite more efficiently. Much orthodontics, on the other hand, is carried out for cosmetic reasons.

Orthodontics for Children

The development of the teeth in children is routinely monitored when they come for check-ups and we may recommend early intervention in some cases. Most commonly, however, orthodontic treatment is carried out for a child when they have lost the last of their baby teeth (around age 11-12 though there is wide variation). Frequently, the problem results from there being inadequate space for all the developing teeth in the mouth. In order to create space to align all the teeth nicely it is often necessary to remove some teeth. If extractions are part of the treatment plan, they are normally carried out (under local anaesthetic) by your own dentist.

Orthodontics for Adults

Increasingly, orthodontics is used to help adults too. This may happen when an adult who "missed out" on orthodontic treatment as a child chooses to have a problem rectified later in life. In other cases, a problem with irregular teeth or spacing may develop later in life as a result of gum disease or having an extraction or it is desirable to improve the position of a tooth or teeth before doing other restorative work such as making a bridge.

How long will it take?

A full course of orthodontic treatment usually takes about 2 years to complete. However, many simpler problems - and many of those in adults - are dealt with much more quickly - sometimes needing as little as 6 weeks to complete.

If the problem is a relatively simple one, your dentist may offer to carry out the treatment himself. If it is more complex, he will arrange for you to have an initial assessment with our visiting Consultant Orthodontist, Mr. John Bottomley, who will advise you on treatment options and costs.