Orthodontics

Visiting Consultant Orthodontist, Giles Kidner can use appliances (“Braces”) to straighten crooked or malpositioned teeth. Straightening crooked teeth can improve your smile as well as making it easier to keep your teeth clean. If teeth are very crooked then straightening them can make chewing and biting easier too.

Before orthodontic treatment

Before orthodontic treatment

After orthodontic treatment

After orthodontic treatment

For children the ideal time for orthodontic treatment to be carried out is usually when the child is growing rapidly, in their early teens. Occasionally earlier treatment is required after just a few adult teeth have come through.

It is perfectly possible to have orthodontic treatment carried out as an adult, though treatment can take longer. Whatever your age the most important thing is to make sure your mouth is healthy before and during orthodontic treatment. Your dentist can refer you to the orthodontist as and when necessary and your hygienist can help you keep everything nice and clean – it can be more difficult to clean your teeth when wearing a brace.

Orthodontists use appliances (braces) to move teeth and sometimes to modify the growth of the jaws. Sometimes teeth need to be extracted to allow space for the others to be straightened.
Appliances can be either fixed or removable:

A removable appliance in place

A removable appliance in place

A fixed appliance in place

A fixed appliance in place

Modern developments in orthodontics now allow braces to be fitted that are much less visible. Tooth coloured brackets and wires can be used. Clear aligners can replace brackets and wires in certain cases and brackets can even be fitted to the inner surfaces of the teeth rather than the outside. (Lingual appliances)

A lingual appliance

A lingual appliance