What is Orthodontic treatment?

It is a speciality of dentistry that is concerned with the treatment of improper bites and crooked teeth. Basically, it can help to fix a patient’s teeth and set them in a better position within the mouth and in addition can help to look after the long-term health of your teeth, gums and jaw joints.

How do you know if you should consider an orthodontic consultation with your dentist? Well, perhaps you have upper front teeth that stick out and look more prominent than your other teeth, your upper and lower jaw doesn’t meet correctly which leads to an incorrect bite, or your teeth are gappy or crooked then, you may want to speak to your dental practitioner about options.

You may have not even considered that your teeth require orthodontic treatment. However, a good dentist may spot a potential health issue with your teeth and will make recommendations to you, if they notice something that is not just an aesthetic issue but could potentially cause you problems in the future.

A consultation would involve looking at your teeth, taking x-rays and possibly making plaster models of your teeth. You will be talked through all the best options for you and any of your concerns can be discussed and in some instances, you may be referred to a specialist in orthodontics. You of course do not have to proceed with any orthodontic treatment it is completely down to you.

Childhood is generally the best time to consider treatment, although in recent years and with the advances in orthodontics, more and more adults are having treatment to. In fact age is less important that having the right number of teeth, so children may have to wait until enough teeth come through before starting treatment and adults may need to have teeth taken out to make space, however sometimes space can be made using other forms of treatment.

We here at Tracey Bell have embraced the advances in Orthodontic technology and offer a wide range of braces for all ages and pockets. There are removable appliances, fixed appliances, metal braces, ceramic and clear aligners to name but a few, with some taking a lot less time to work than others, on average treatment can take anything from a few months to over 2 years. Even then, a retainer may be required following the treatment to prevent the teeth from moving back into their original position.

I am often asked:

“Is there any pain involved?”

I have to say that all appliances feel strange at first and can cause discomfort.

“Can orthodontic treatment damage teeth?”

I would say that your teeth can be damaged if you don’t look after them properly during treatment, the braces themselves will not cause damage.

“Is orthodontic work permanent?”

Even after retention, it is normal for minor tooth movements to happen throughout life. Therefore no permanent guarantee can be given. However, it is unusual for teeth to alter enough to require more treatment.

With everything said, your dentist is the best person to speak to about which option is for you. We are all individuals and there are always a number of factors to consider.

Take a look at a video of what can be achieved by a type of treatment we use.

Tracey Bell

 

 

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