Growing numbers of adults and children are realising the benefits and value of transforming their smile with orthodontic treatment
Listed below are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the dental speciality that concerns the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of dental and facial irregularities [malocclusions].
Orthodontics will make the best of your teeth and smile whilst improving your facial harmony and balance. Depending on what is needed, a series of either clear aligners or braces will be custom prescribed by your specialist orthodontist to move your teeth into the best position for you. You will soon find yourself smiling more, bite your teeth together correctly, eat more comfortably and care for your teeth and gums more easily.
What can orthodontists do and what are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?
Our Specialist Orthodontists routinely
- Close or manage spacing between teeth
- Realign crowded teeth
- Realign protrusive teeth, reducing the likelihood of damage to prominent teeth
- Correct most bites
- Gently realign impacted, unerupted or severely displaced teeth
- Ensure space is available in the right place for advanced dental treatments such as crowns, bridges or dental implants to be placed by your dentist or other specialists.
- Reverse the drifting of the teeth in older patients who have suffered from advanced gum disease
Why choose a Specialist Orthodontist and what is the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist?
In the UK, orthodontists are fully qualified dentists who have after qualification, been selected to undertake the extra training required to enter the speciality of orthodontics. This means a minimum of a further 3-5 years on a recognised postgraduate speciality training programme, followed by the award of a Masters in Orthodontics and the Membership in Orthodontics. Only those dentists who have completed this training or equivalent can register with the GDC as a Specialist Orthodontist.
All our orthodontists limit their practice solely to orthodontics, are registered with the GDC as Specialist Orthodontists and have many years of experience in managing a wide range of dental irregularities from simple to complex.
General dentists can also carry out orthodontics if they choose to do so. The General Dental Council (GDC) regulate dentists and allows any dentist to work in any area of dentistry, as long as they feel competent to do so. However, because it is recognised that orthodontics is a very specific area of expertise, only those registered on the orthodontic specialist list with the GDC can call themselves a Specialist Orthodontist.
Can adults benefit from orthodontics?
Yes. It’s never too late to have the smile you’ve always wanted!
it may surprise you to know that as many as 25% of all patients who come to us for treatment are adults, and currently, aged from 18-74. if you are unsure about your smile, you are welcome to arrange a consultation with us to see what could be possible.
All consultations and treatment for over 18’s are privately funded,
When is the best time for my child to be referred?
We prefer to meet our child patients if possible between the age of 9-10 years. This gives us the time to plan, start and manage treatment at the optimal time for them. This is especially important if a tooth or teeth are malpositioned, or a jaw disproportion is present where guidance is necessary. Early assessment and intervention can also prevent future problems from developing and dramatically reduce treatment time and complexity later on.
We are however happy to meet your child at any time, as and when your dentist recommends it.
For those new to the area, we are happy to meet them too, whenever you are able to visit.
What can I or my child expect at the first assessment appointment?
Braces are never fitted at the first appointment. Instead, your orthodontist will always ask you, or your child about any specific smile concerns along with some general health questions.
He/she will then gently examine the mouth to take the comprehensive measurements necessary for full orthodontic assessment and diagnosis. Further records to include special view radiographs [Xrays], clinical photographs of the face and teeth together with detailed digital scans of the teeth [which have replaced impressions or ‘moulds’] and which may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis, if needed.
Your orthodontist will then clearly explain the outcome of the assessment and will
- Advise whether or not you or your child are ready for treatment
- Advise you or your child of any additional steps to be taken before treatment can start. These may include asking your dentist or another appropriate specialist to help with oral hygiene support, the restoration/removal of any decayed teeth or brokendown teeth or the removal of individual baby teeth if these are in the way of the eruption of the permanent teeth
- Place your you or your child on review if the timing isn’t yet right for treatment to start
- Discharge you or your child back to your dentist if no treatment is advised
What can I or my child expect once ready for treatment?
If treatment is recommended, your orthodontist will
- Outline all the different treatment options and the risks, limitations and benefits of each.
- Explain what other procedures may be required as part of the treatment, if it is recommended.
- Explain about the different types of braces available, according to treatment need
- Estimate how long the treatment will likely take.
- Explain about the need for retainers after treatment completes at the start of treatment
- Explain how likely the teeth are to stay in their new position at the end of treatment and the possible need for lifelong wear of retainers if the teeth are to stay in their new position.
- Give you thinking time to decide if you or your child want to go ahead with treatment.
- Once you have decided for treatment, and before treatment is started, give you a comprehensive written treatment plan to which you must consent for yourself or your child before braces are fitted
Is my child eligible for NHS treatment?
All children under the age of 18 are able to have an orthodontic assessment under the NHS.
The NHS will then pay for some but not all orthodontic treatment. Only the more severe cases are covered under current rules – minor problems are not funded. Clear national criteria (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need – IOTN) apply to every assessment about who qualifies for treatment.
The NHS contracts with us as separate practices to fund a set amount of cases per year each. If your child meets the criteria, treatment will free of charge and he/she will be placed on our NHS treatment waiting list
The NHS contract for orthodontics funds all braces, adjustments and repairs required during the entire treatment with the exception of a nationally set fee for the replacement of all removable braces or retainers lost or damaged beyond repair.
My child is eligible for NHS treatment but I would prefer to explore private treatment options for him/her.
As long as treatment has not started, you may opt for private treatment for your child.
Prospective patients will always have an assessment with one of our specialist orthodontists first. He/she will then have a discussion with you both to
- Outline all the different treatment options and the risks, limitations and benefits of each
- Explain what other procedures may be required as part of the treatment, if it is recommended.
- Explain about the different types of braces available. These may include clear aligners, other removable or fixed braces according to treatment need
- Estimate how long the treatment will likely take.
- Explain about the need for retainers after treatment completes at the start of treatment
- Explain how likely the teeth are to stay in their new position at the end of treatment and the possible need for lifelong wear of retainers if the teeth are to stay in their new position.
- Give you thinking time to decide if you or your child want to go ahead with treatment.
- Once you have decided for treatment, and before treatment is started, give you a comprehensive written treatment plan to which you must consent for yourself or your child before braces are fitted
What does it cost and how do I pay for private treatment?
The style of brace recommended and the professional fees for private orthodontic treatment vary according to the complexity of treatment needed. Provision of 1 set of Retainers and their supervision for up to 12 months are included in our treatment fee.
Our manager will be happy to discuss ways to pay but most of our patients either choose to pay in full or opt for a 25% deposit and interest free monthly payments over 12-20 months.
Is orthodontic treatment uncomfortable?
Brace fitting is not painful but you can expect mild tenderness and aching as the teeth start to move after a few hours and teeth may be tender to bite on although this mostly wears off after a few days. The amount of discomfort varies enormously from person to person, so it may be helpful to take over the counter tablets if needed. Some further discomfort may be experienced when the brace is adjusted subsequently, but this depends very much on what adjustments have been made. Most patients settle in very quickly.
How often will I need to visit?
This depends on the stage of treatment and type of brace. Fixed braces are usually adjusted every
4-10 weeks. Aligners, and especially if our Dental Monitoring programme is used, tend to need less adjustment, on average every 6-14 weeks
How long will I have to wear braces?
This depends on age, complexity and the type of brace and is always discussed at your consultation appointment. Treatment can take anything from a few months to 2+ years as biology, growth and cooperation of patients with all aspects of orthodontic treatment all have a part to play.
Will my teeth stay straight after treatment?
Teeth can and do move at any age so it is essential to follow the long -term retainer wear advice of your orthodontist. The longer you continue to wear retainers, the better.
Do I need to see my own Dentist during treatment?
Yes, your orthodontist only looks after your braces. It is particularly important that you keep up regular contact with your own dentist.
Can I transfer my child already in NHS treatment from 1 of your practices to either of your sister practices?
Unfortunately not, as each of our practices has to contract to the NHS for its own funding for each case.
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