dental Services

What is orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment involves straightening or moving teeth, to improve both their appearance and how they work. It is also useful for the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth and lessening any crowding in your mouth.

At what age can I have orthodontic treatment?

Age is less important than having the proper number of teeth. So adults of any age can have orthodontic treatment. For young children, it may be necessary to wait for enough teeth to come through before starting treatment.

What are ‘invisible braces’?

These are very tough but clear plastic aligners that are used to straighten your teeth. Several sets of specifically moulded aligners are made for you, each one slightly different. You wear each set for two weeks before replacing it with the next one in the series. And so gradually they move your teeth into the desired position.

With this kind of treatment, there are no unsightly bands, brackets or wires. These braces are almost completely invisible, so no one needs to know that you are straightening your teeth.

At B Dental we use the Invisalign system and a typical case will take six months to a year.

Do ‘invisible braces’ work for everyone?

Unfortunately invisible braces are not suitable for complicated cases. For example, cases involving severe crowding, over- or under-bites etc will require that we refer you to our in-house Orthodontist (a specialist in braces). He will discuss with you all the possible courses of treatment, not all of which involve metallic brackets!

How long does it take?

Orthodontic treatment can take anywhere between a few months to two and a half years, depending on how complicated the treatment is. Most simple cases can be treated in under a year.

Can orthodontics damage my teeth?

Braces in themselves do not damage teeth. However, poor cleaning and too many sugary drinks and snacks can cause damage. If you’re not careful, braces can trap some food and cause more plaque than usual to build up around your teeth. That’s why your teeth and the braces themselves need to be cleaned very thoroughly.