Treatment Tailor-Made For You
Treatments
Your orthodontist will work with you to devise a treatment plan which best suits
your individual requirements. This could range from a simple removable brace worn
for 6 months to a fixed appliance worn for up to 2 years.
A further year is needed for teeth to become fixed in their new position.
NHS and Private Treatment
Children up to and including the age of 17 are eligible for NHS treatment provided
they meet certain criteria. Children can be seen on a private basis.
Everyone over the age of 18 is seen privately. ‘Clear’ braces, which reduce the
visual impact of fixed braces, are only available to private patients.
Removable Brace
A removable brace is made from plastic and held in place by metal clips.
Impressions or moulds of the teeth are taken and the brace is ready to fit one week
later.
The orthodontist will measure progress and check the fit of the brace every 6 to
8 weeks.
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Functional Brace
A functional brace is fitted to correct a discrepancy between the lower and upper
jaws before usually finishing treatment with fixed braces.
Impressions of the teeth are taken together with a special wax ‘bite’ to ascertain
the correct position for the jaws.
The brace is fitted approximately 2 weeks later and the orthodontist will measure
progress and check the fit of the brace every 6 to 8 weeks. Download PDF
Fixed Brace
Specialist orthodontists mainly use fixed appliances because they produce a better,
more stable result than removable braces.
A fixed brace is made up of small metal brackets placed on each tooth and connected
to each other by a metal wire.
Metal bands are placed around the molar teeth to hold the back of the brace in place
and the brackets are glued onto the teeth with a composite material very similar
to that used for white fillings. The wires can then be slotted into the bands and
brackets.
The brace is adjusted approximately every 6 to 8 weeks by either changing the elastics
for stronger metal ties or changing the wires for slightly thicker ones.
A fixed brace is usually worn for 18 months before being replaced by a retainer
to hold the teeth in their new position. Download PDF
Retainers
When active treatment is complete it is necessary to hold your teeth in position
for a period of time with retainers, which can either be removable or fixed depending
on the original problem.
Removable retainers are usually worn full time for the first 3 to 6 months and then
part-time for the next 6 months.
Take your retainer out to eat and to clean your teeth. Excessive amounts of sugary
things, sweets and diet drinks should be avoided. It is important to keep your retainer
clean by gently brushing it with cold water. Download PDF