Orthodontics

Many people have crowded or crooked teeth. Orthodontic treatment can straighten the teeth or move them into a better position. This can improve both appearance and function, while also making them easier to clean.

Often only better appearance is the considered benefit but orthodontics can also help the long-term health of the teeth, gums and jaw joints, by spreading the biting pressure over all the teeth.

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 less favourable and lead to an incorrect bite. Orthodontic treatment may be able to correct both.

When the teeth don’t meet correctly, this might put strain on the muscles of the jaw, causing jaw and joint problems and in some cases headaches. Orthodontic treatment can help you bite more evenly and reduce the strain.

Orthodontic treatment is generally carried out in children, but adults can have orthodontic treatment too – and more and more are doing. You no longer need to think ‘I’m too old for braces’. In fact as the population becomes more health conscious and people aspire for a healthy looking smile, more and more comprehensive and conservative solutions require a combination of general dentistry and orthodontic treatment.

Even though we regularly see famous people wearing braces, many adults would prefer more discreet orthodontic care and fortunately technological advances have now enabled options that are less obtrusive, easier to wear and with considerably shorter treatment times.