Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of dental and facial irregularities occurring as a result of:
Orthodontic irregularities are generally treated with braces. Braces are usually made from wires and springs attached to tiny metal plates or a plastic mould. Braces apply gentle forces to teeth and encourage them to to move slowly to adopt a different alignment. The best orthodontic results are achieved with children when their teeth are still growing; many adults have orthodontic treatment, but the process takes much longer. Visit our main braces page to read more about how they work and how to look after them.
The orthodontist will assess the teeth that need to be aligned and create either a fixed or removable brace, which can be adjusted during the course of the treatment to achieve the desired effect. The fixed braces, as their name implies, are permanent fixtures and are removed at the end of the treatment period, whereas removable braces can be taken off for eating and cleaning but are generally worn at all other times. Braces will improve the function of the teeth and the general appearance of the person.
A bad bite is the misalignment of teeth, jaws or the tempromandibular joint (TMJ), which causes functional problems such as difficulty in chewing and talking, and may well affect the appearance of a person. It may occur genetically or as a result of the following conditions:
Improves chewing and digestion:
Improves speech:
Prevents premature wearing of back-tooth surfaces:
The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on a number of factors, type of treatment required and the severity of crookedness and gaps that you may have. Costs can typically be from £1000 for minor orthodontic adjustments to £9000 and above for orthodontic treatment involving lingual braces with a specialist orthodontist.
Some cosmetic dentists/orthodontists offer Invisalign, which uses a series of virtually invisible aligners custom-moulded to your teeth to help reposition them over time. The advantages of Invisalign are that the aligners can be removed when eating and cleaning, and it's not obvious to others that you are having treatment or wearing braces. You can read more about invisible orthodontics on our Invisalign page. Another form of invisible braces are Lingual braces, which, although made from metal brackets and wires, are placed at the back of the teeth and are invisible when you smile.
Inman Aligners are an alternative to Invisalign treatment for simple orthodontic cases that require movements of the front teeth only. This removable appliance achieves complete movement in about six to eight weeks in some cases; however, it is not suitable for all and it's best to seek advice through an orthodontic consultation before choosing the treatment for your problem. Your can read more about this appliance on our Inman Aligner page.
By using tooth-coloured wires and brackets, the six-month braces system relies on moving the teeth that show when you smile to give you a straight smile in a fraction of the time that other orthodontic treatments take (two to three years) to achieve the same aesthetic result. You can read more about this treatment on our Six-Month Smiles page
As orthodontic technology has improved over time, there are a wide variety of braces available for straightening and moving teeth. Friction-free braces, such as the Damon braces system, provide a faster and more comfortable alternative to conventional fixed orthodontic braces.
The Simpli5 system of clear aligners uses a maximum of 5 removable clear aligners to treat mild orthodontic cases. It is ideal for orthodontic relapse or minor tooth movement or small gaps. Read our Simpli5 page for more information.