Orthodontic
Frequently asked Questions
What
is orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic
treatment is a way of straightening
or moving teeth, to improve the appearance
of the teeth and how they work. It can
also help to look after the long-term
health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints,
by spreading the biting pressure over
all the teeth.
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Why should
I have orthodontic treatment?
Many
people have crowded or crooked teeth.
Orthodontic treatment will straighten
the teeth or move them into a better
position. This can not only improve
their appearance but also the way the
teeth bite together, while also making
them easier to clean.
In
some patients the upper front teeth
can stick out and look unsightly. These
‘prominent’ teeth are more likely to
be damaged, but orthodontic treatment
can move them back into line. In others,
the way the upper and lower jaws meet
can cause teeth to look unsightly and
lead to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic
treatment may be able to correct both.
When
the teeth don’t meet correctly, this
can put strain on the muscles of the
jaw, causing jaw and joint problems
and in some cases headaches. Orthodontic
treatment can help you to bite more
evenly and reduce the strain.
At what
age should I have orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic
treatment is generally best carried
out in children, but adults can have
orthodontic treatment too – and more
and more are doing. Age is less important
than having the proper number of teeth.
In children it may be necessary to wait
for enough teeth to come through before
starting treatment.
Who carries
out orthodontics?
Any
dentist may carry out orthodontic treatment.
Or the dentist may send the person to
a specialist who has extra qualifications.
The specialist may be in a practice
or in a hospital department, and is
called an orthodontist.
What does
it involve?
The
most important thing is to have a full
examination. This will usually involve
looking at your teeth, taking x-rays
and making plaster models of your teeth.
Your
dentist or orthodontist will then discuss
what treatment is possible. Once you
are sure you want to go ahead, the treatment
can begin as soon as you have enough
permanent teeth.
Will I
need to have teeth taken out to make
room?
You
may not have enough room for all your
permanent teeth and so it may be necessary
to take out some permanent teeth to
make space. Your dentist will tell you
whether this is the case. Sometimes
space can be created using other forms
of treatment.
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How is treatment carried out?
Orthodontic
treatment can be done by many sorts
of appliances, which most people know
as ‘braces’.
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What is
a removable appliance?
Simple treatment may be carried out
with a removable appliance (a plate
that can be taken out to be cleaned).
It has delicate wires and springs attached,
which move the teeth using gentle pressure.
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What is
a functional appliance?
It
is sometimes possible to change the
way the jaws grow, using orthodontic
appliances. These functional appliances
use the power of your jaw muscles and
can help with certain types of problem.
What is
a fixed appliance?
Often, teeth need to be guided more
accurately than they can be using a
removable plate. So fixed appliances
are used. These have brackets and bands
temporarily stuck to the teeth. A flexible
wire joins all the brackets and allows
the teeth to be moved. It is not possible
for the patient to take the appliance
out and so it is called a fixed appliance.
What are
the brackets made of?
Fixed
braces are not always made of metal.
Plastic and ceramic can be used, especially
for adults. You cannot generally get
these braces on the NHS.
What is
headgear?
As
well as an appliance it is sometimes
necessary to wear headgear. You usually
only need to wear it in the evening
or at night. Your orthodontist will
discuss whether it is necessary. It
is very important to wear it in the
way the orthodontist tells you otherwise
treatment may not progress correctly.
What are elastics?
It may be necessary to attach delicate
elastic bands to a fixed brace to help
move the teeth. Your orthodontist will
tell you if you need elastics.
What are
‘invisible braces’?
They
are tough, clear plastic ‘aligners’
(moulds) that are used to straighten
teeth. Several sets of specially moulded,
slightly different aligners are made
for each patient. Each set is worn for
two weeks before being replaced with
the next one. They are made from clear
plastic, so they are nearly invisible.
This means that no one need know you
are straightening your teeth.
The
aligners should be worn for 22 to 23
hours a day for the best results. They
can be easily removed for eating, drinking,
brushing and flossing. You need to have
all your adult teeth before you can
have this treatment
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A patient with 'invisible' braces
How long
will it take?
The
length of treatment depends on how severe
the problem is, and may take anything
from a few months to two and a half
years. Most people can be treated in
one to two years.
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What happens
when the teeth are in the right position?
When
treatment is finished the teeth need
to be held in position for a time. This
period is called retention, and the
appliances that hold the teeth in place
are called retainers.
The
retainers hold newly straightened teeth
in position while the surrounding gum
and bone settles. The retainers can
be removable or fixed depending on the
original problem.
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A retainer holds newly straightened
teeth in place
How many visits
will it take?
Orthodontic appliances usually need
adjusting every 4 to 6 weeks. Your orthodontist
will tell you how often your appliance
will need adjusting.
Will it
hurt?
All appliances may feel strange to begin
with and can cause discomfort. If the
problem doesn’t go away the orthodontist
may be able to carry out adjustments
to help. Teeth are usually uncomfortable
immediately after adjustment but this
will settle.
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How successful
will it be?
Success
depends on a partnership between the
skills of the orthodontist, and the
enthusiasm and help of patient and parents.
It is important to attend regularly
and carry out any instructions given
by the orthodontist.
The
success of the treatment also depends
on the commitment of the patient. For
children’s orthodontic treatment it
is very important that the patient is
as keen as the parent.
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Can orthodontics
damage my teeth?
Your
teeth can be damaged if they are not
properly looked after during treatment.
Appliances will not in themselves cause
damage, but poor cleaning and too many
sugary drinks and snacks can cause permanent
damage. Brackets, wires and braces can
trap food and cause more plaque than
usual to build up. So the teeth and
appliance need to be cleaned very thoroughly.
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Is orthodontic
work permanent?
Even
after retention, it is normal for minor
tooth movements to happen throughout
life, so no permanent guarantee can
be given. However, it is unusual for
teeth to alter enough to need further
treatment.
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How do
I go about getting orthodontic treatment?
The
first thing to do is to go along to
your own dentist and get his or her
advice. Your dentist will know whether
you need treatment and make the necessary
arrangements.
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How much
does it cost?
You
can have orthodontic treatment under
the National Health Service or as a
private patient. National Health treatment
is free for children up to the age of
18 and students up to the age of 19
based as long as there is a clinical
need. Other people entitled to free
treatment are patients on a low income,
pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Everyone else has to pay the NHS charges.
There is no charge for treatment in
hospital departments.
You
will only be entitled to treatment under
the NHS if your condition is serious.
Minor problems may be classed as cosmetic
and would therefore be charged privately.
If
you decide to have treatment privately,
the orthodontist will be able to estimate
the cost of your treatment and give
you details. It is always a good idea
to discuss the cost fully before treatment
and, if necessary, have the cost confirmed
in writing to avoid any confusion.
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How do I care for my brace and teeth?
It is important to continue to have
your teeth checked by your dentist while
having orthodontic treatment. You also
need to take extra care of your teeth
and mouth:
1
Clean your teeth carefully every day,
including between your teeth where you
can. Appliances are delicate and you
need to make sure you clean them carefully
so that they do not break. Your dentist
or hygienist will be able to show you
the special techniques to use depending
on the appliance you are wearing.
2
Cut down on how often you have sugary
foods and drinks. Avoid ‘snacking’ on
foods or drinks containing sugars, and
on fizzy drinks. Also, sticky and hard
foods may damage the delicate orthodontic
appliances.
3
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride
toothpaste and, if necessary, use a
mouthwash. Your dentist or hygienist
may recommend a fluoride toothpaste
or application for you to use. Look
for a product carrying the British Dental
Health Foundation’s accreditation logo.
This shows that the product has been
checked by a panel of experts and does
what it says on the packet.
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