Orthodontic Treatment at Andrea Ubhi York

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment uses braces to move teeth within the arch, making them straighter. Having a straighter smile can give people more confidence when smiling.

There are two main methods of orthodontic treatment:

Fixed braces are the most commonly used braces, as they can control the positions of all the teeth at once. They would usually consist of white or metal squares that are bonded on to the teeth, which are joined together by a wire. The wires are held on to the squares with little elastic bands or by tiny metal clips. You cannot take fixed braces in and out.

A number of different types of fixed braces are now available on the market, such as tooth-coloured braces, metal braces, braces that are fitted behind the teeth making them not able to be seen (lingual braces) and 'speedy' self-ligated braces, along with many others.

Which type of braces would be used will depend on your choice and a number of other factors which will be explained by the Cosmetic Orthodontist at your consultation. These factors include: how crooked your teeth are, how quickly you want to start treatment, how you want your teeth to look during treatment, how quickly you want the teeth to move and which type of braces suit your lifestyle the best.

Removable braces can be taken out of your mouth whilst you undertake your oral hygiene routine.

This type of braces may include:

Invisalign (Invisible braces). These aligners are made out of clear (see through) plastic and they would gently move the teeth to get you the smile you want without anyone noticing that you are wearing braces. It can also be removed if you have an important meeting or appointment to attend. This system is mainly used by adults, but despite their benefits, they are not suitable for every case.

Functional braces. These are usually used to correct the jaw relationships, and are mainly used for teeth which are very badly out of line. They are used to stretch the muscles used during eating and encourage the bone of the lower jaw to grow faster to correct the jaw position in relation to the upper jaw. Functional braces are usually followed by fixed braces to align the teeth and ensure the correct bite is achieved.

Simple removable braces. These are usually used to straighten just one or two teeth. They can also be used in younger patients to begin moving teeth prior to the use of fixed braces. In adults, they are often used to expand the dental arch (to give more room to move the teeth)

At the end of your treatment, it is very important that you wear a retainer in order to maintain the perfect smile which has been achieved. Retainers in simple terms are 'holding braces' which are worn after any orthodontic treatment in order to reduce the risk of your teeth drifting back to their original position. Retainers could be either fixed or removable, and your Cosmetic Orthodontist will discuss with you which type you will need, and how long you will be expected to wear the retainer for.

Orthodontic treatment usually takes between 4 and 24 months, depending on the type of treatment needed, the severity of your crowding, and of course your co-operation. Your Cosmetic Orthodontist will discuss with you each system, the benefits and drawbacks of each system and how long the treatment is expected to last. Shorter courses of treatment are available should you be time restricted due to a special occasion.

You will need to attend the practice regularly for monitoring and adjustment of the braces to ensure that the teeth are moved correctly. You will also need to make sure that you follow the correct oral hygiene routine that your Orthodontist and Hygienist recommend.

At the consultation, your Cosmetic Orthodontist will give you treatment options, and a written treatment plan which will remain valid for six months.