Treatment

YOUR FIRST VISIT

Our receptionist will first of all check that we have all the relevant necessary information about you which will include asking you to fill in a confidential medical history questionnaire.

One of our orthodontists will then see you along with a dental nurse. We will start by asking how you feel about your teeth and their appearance and whether you have any problems with them – your dentist will have outlined anything relevant in their referral letter too. The orthodontist will then examine your face and mouth in detail. If necessary, further records may be taken such as moulds of your teeth, x-rays and photographs.

Once we have the necessary information, the orthodontist will then discuss any treatment that might be appropriate, taking into account what you feel is important too. This appointment usually takes about 20 minutes. Sometimes, if you are not ready for treatment, we arrange to see you again after an appropriate interval.

If the timing is right and you are happy with the proposed treatment plan we will be able to fit the braces within a few weeks.

SUBSEQUENT VISITS

It is important that your braces are regularly checked and adjusted as necessary by your orthodontist – this is usually every 6 to 8 weeks throughout the treatment. At these appointments we check that your teeth are progressing as expected, that you are keeping your teeth nice and clean and we adjust the braces so that your teeth keep moving!

The wires are changed on fixed braces, which just involves removing the elastics, changing the wires and replacing the elastics again. You may also be given elastics to place on the braces yourself – these move the teeth into the correct positions and ensure that your upper and lower teeth fit together properly. These visits usually take about 10 minutes.

When your teeth are finally straight and they meet together properly then your fixed braces will be removed. Your braces will probably have been in place for a year to 18 months. Fixed braces are removed easily and any glue left on your teeth is polished off. We then take moulds of your teeth again so that we can provide you with retainers.

RETAINERS

These are the most important part of your treatment if you want your teeth to remain straight. They are usually of the clear plastic gum-shield type and are worn every night for at least 6 months; the wear is then gradually reduced to about twice a week at bedtime; nowadays we usually advise that they continue to be worn twice a week for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight. This is because there is always a tendency for teeth to move a little – no matter how old you are.

We like to keep a check on your teeth for a year or so after removing fixed braces – this usually involves a very quick check every 3 – 6 months to make sure the teeth are staying where we want them.