healthy smile
Orthodontics is a special field of dentistry which involves the prevention and treatment of dental irregularities i.e. crooked teeth or malocclusion.
Orthodontic treatment is generally best carried out in children, but adults can have orthodontic treatment too – and what’s more, it’s gaining popularity among adults. Age has no impact on the success of alignment of the teeth. In regards to children it may be necessary to wait until permanent teeth come through before starting treatment.
Treatment is usually not started until the child is about 12 or 13 years old, as this is when the adult teeth have come through and developed fully. In some cases, treatment can start a few years later if tooth problems had not become noticeable before.
The treatment
How does orthodontic treatment work?
Many different types of appliances, both fixed and removable, are used to help move teeth, retrain muscles and affect jaw growth. These work by placing gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. The severity of your problem will determine which orthodontic approach is likely to be the most effective.
There are 3 types of appliances in orthodontics:
- removable appliances (for children)
- braces (metal or clear ceramic)
- clear aligners
The length of the treatment depends on how severe the problem is, and may take from a few months to two and a half years. Most people can be treated in one to two years.
Invisible braces or clear aligners
These are tough, clear plastic aligners that are used to straighten teeth. Several sets of specially moulded, slightly different aligners are made for each patient. Each set is worn for two weeks before being replaced with the next one. They are made from clear plastic, so they are nearly invisible. This means that no one needs to know you are straightening your teeth. This type of treatment is recommended for patients whose appearance is especially important to them (for example actors, performers, teachers/lectures.) Unfortunately, extremely severe cases cannot be resolved with clear aligners, as this type of treatment has its limitations. However, mild or moderate problems can be easily treated. This type of orthodontic treatment is the most comfortable way to align your teeth.
The aligners should be worn for 22 to 23 hours a day for the best results. They can be easily removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. You need to have all your permanent teeth before you can have this specific treatment.
Appointments
Contact our scheduling department today to make an appointment.
If you need professional dental assistance or just want to smile with more confidence, don’t hesitate to contact us! Simply leave a message on our website, call us or email us, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to seeing you smile!
