What is orthodontics?  

If your adult teeth have grown in crooked or oddly positioned, or if your top and bottom teeth don't meet correctly when you bite together, you'll need Orthodontic treatment to reposition them into a straight, healthy, comfortable smile.

You may contact us directly for advice, or you may be referred by your own dentist.

Orthodontic treatment is provided by orthodontists  - qualified dentists who have undertaken additional training and passed further examinations in this specialist field.  Treatment can involve a variety of treatment approaches, and appliances (braces), and can be obvious or almost invisible.

Teeth are moved slowly and steadily into their correct position, and treatment usually takes from 18 - 24 months, although results can be achieved more quickly,

What happens at your first visit?

Your first step will be to see us for an initial orthodontic examination and consultation

At this appointment we will discuss the effect your teeth are having on your day to day life, and may assess the general condition and position of your teeth, bones and other structures of the mouth in order to recommend options for treatment.

This may involve taking radiographs (x-rays) - or it may be that your own dentist can send us radiographs he or she has already taken.  We may also take models of the position of your teeth (impressions) so that we can look closely at your teeth later, and also so that our laboratory can make any appliances to fit exactly in your mouth.

We may ask your own dentist to extract teeth to make way for the correct positioning of teeth, but this is only when absolutely necessary.

What happens during treatment?

Your next visit may be one where we fit an appliance to help guide your teeth into the correct position. 

We will show you how to look after your teeth and your appliances during treatment and advise you how your teeth will move.

You will then have to visit us regularly (every 4 to 8 weeks) to have your appliance adjusted.

The most important part of treatment.

Finally, when your teeth are in the correct position for health and attractiveness, your appliance will be removed and you will be fitted with retainers.  It is most important that you wear your retainers as instructed after the initial stage of treatment has finished - otherwise, your teeth will drift back towards the starting position again!

It is normal to wear a retainer full-time initially and then part-time for several months although every patient is different. We routinely follow-up patients for 12 months at the end of active treatment to monitor this important part of treatment during which the teeth settle into their new position.

Throughout orthodontic treatment, it is essential that you visit your own dentist every 6 months for regular dental care.