Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is the correction of malpositioned teeth, which can effect 30% of the population.
Do I need orthodontic treatment?
During ortodontic treatment the teeth can be corrected with the use of dental braces and other appliances to move the teeth around, which can be fixed or removable, depending on your preference and the severity of the condition.
Fixed appliances like braces are bonded to the teeth with adhesives. These braces can be tooth coloured to make them more aesthetic. A series of removable clear aligners (such as INVISALIGN) are an alternative to braces. The aligners are worn throughout the day and night to gradually move the teeth over a period of time. More basic orthodontic treatment usually takes a few months, but more serious cases might take years and require more specialised treatment. This might include treatment for children, which will encorporate the growing of the jaw during treatment.
Orthodontics are only recommended for patients with good oral hygiene and good motivation, as treatment can last a few months. Patients will be assessed by the dentist pre-operatively, and will need regular appointments during the treatment to maintain and assess the success of treatment. Post-operatively, the patient is likely to need a retaining device to keep the new orthodontic position in place and prevent ‘relapse’. These can also be either fixed or removable, depending on the risk of relapse.
