We
list here some of the most Frequently Asked Questions and answers
relating to orthodontic treatment. Please let us know if you would
like the answer to a question which is not covered here.
Question:
What
is Orthodontics?
Answer:
Orthodontics
is the branch of dentistry that specialises in the diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
The technical term for these problems is 'malocclusion', which
means 'bad bite'. Your 'bite' is the way your teeth fit together
when your mouth is closed.
These problems
are treated by specialist orthodontists who use appliances called
'braces' on teeth to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment.
The practice
of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application
and control of the braces and other corrective procedures.
Question:
Why are teeth
not straight?
Answer:
Most of the
time 'wonky' teeth are inherited - so if your patents have crooked
teeth you may have them too. Inherited problems include: crowding
of teeth, too much space between teeth, extra or missing teeth,
cleft palate and other irregularities of the jaw and face.
However, it is
also possible to develop, or 'acquire' crooked teeth through your
lifetime, for example through thumb or finger sucking, tongue
thrusting, restriction of the airway by tonsils and adenoids,
dental disease or premature loss of 'milk' or 'adult' teeth.
Whether inherited
or acquired, many of these problems affect not only the straightness
of the teeth but facial appearance as
well.
Question:
Why
treat crooked teeth?
Answer:
Everyone
wants a beautiful smile and Dentalign's goal is to achieve this.
However, orthodontic treatment is not just for cosmetic reasons
- crooked or crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. Over
time this may lead to not only tooth decay but also eventual gum
disease and tooth loss.
Other orthodontic
problems can cause excessive wear of tooth surfaces, stress on
supporting bone and gum tissue, or misalignment of the jaw joints
leading to chronic headaches or pain in the face
or neck.
Question:
How
do I know if I have an orthodontic problem?
Answer:
Normally,
your dentist will spot problems and refer you for an orthodontic
consultation. However, it is quite easy to identify the most common
problems yourself - do any of the following statements apply to
you? If they do, give us a ring!
- My upper
teeth protrude.
- My upper
teeth cover my lower teeth too much, so my lower teeth are barely
visible when I bite together (a 'deep bite').
- My upper
teeth bite inside the arch of my lower teeth (a 'reverse bite').
- I can
see my tongue between my upper and lower teeth when my back
teeth are together (an 'open bite')
- My teeth
are crowded together and crossing over.
- My teeth
have gaps and spaces between them.
- My upper
and lower teeth do not match together properly (a mismatch between
the upper and lower centrelines).
- My teeth
need moving before I can have my crowns / bridgework done.
- My teeth
have moved out of place due to gum disease or previous extractions.
- I am not
happy with my smile.
Question:
What's involved
in treatment?
Answer:
The treatment
begins with a full assessment (or examination) and diagnosis of
the problem, together with consideration given to any future patient
growth and development. X-rays of the mouth and jaws and plaster-of-Paris
'study models', produced from impressions taken of the teeth,
are used to help with this. Computer video imaging may be utilised
to visualise the changes in appearance following treatment.
The actual
process of treating a problem consists of designing and fitting
braces, which, with regular adjustment will move the teeth into
their expected positions. At the end of treatment, retainers are
usually required to stabilise the new positions.
For further
details of treatments go to the Treatment
Options section.
Question:
How long will the treatment
take?
Answer:
Treatment
times vary from between six months and two years, depending on
the complexity of the problem. During this time patients will
need to attend the surgery at 4 - 6 week intervals for adjustments
to be made.
Question:
Am
I too old for orthodontic treatment?
Answer:
Orthodontic
treatment for adults has become very popular. Age should not normally
be a barrier to orthodontic treatment - we see many patients from
age 9 up to 70. We believe you are never too old to have a lovely
smile! Most treatment is carried out in the early teens, however,
most adult problems can be successfully treated. The process is
the same in adults as for children, but as the bones of the face
are no longer growing, certain treatments cannot be carried out
with braces along.
Go to the
section on Adult
Orthodontics to find out more about the treatments available
for adults.
Question:
Do you offer
any surgical dentistry services?
Answer:
Yes, Dentalign
has a surgical specialist who can offer a wide range of surgical
treatments, including: wisdom teeth removal, surgical exposure
of unerupted teeth, orthodontic extractions and excision of soft
tissue cysts and polyps.
Question:
How much will
it cost?
Answer:
Some treatments,
including most of those for children, are offered on the Health
Service. The cost of adult and private treatment will depend on
the extent of your problem and the options chosen for appliances.
Adult treatment
costs vary between £600 and £4000, but an average
treatment, with fixed 'train track' braces over 18 months would
be approximately £2050. Different procedures, such as 'lingual'
braces, or the new Invisalign® technique do cost more, but
all the options can be discussed with our patient co-ordinator
before you commence. The prices are inclusive of all materials,
specialist's time and VAT.
Payment can
be made by cash, cheque or credit card, by making monthly payments
using our 0% finance plan, or by direct debit.
Question:
What
do I do next?
Answer:
If you are
unhappy with your teeth or smile you can arrange a FREE ASSESSMENT
with one of our patient care co-ordinators. They will show you
examples of treatment options using computer graphics and models,
discuss treatment times and provide you with costings, including
our easy installment plan and 0% finance option.
They
can then arrange an appointment with a qualified orthodontist
who will assess your particular case and be able to confirm an
exact treatment plan. (If you would like this appointment on the
same visit, please notify the co-ordinator. The cost of the consultation
with the orthodontist is £60.)
So
why delay? Call us now to arrange for your free assessment on
0118 977 2622, or you may prefer to complete the Appointments
Form.
