At your first visit there is no active treatment. We will first find out why your dentist has referred you in and discuss what your concerns are with your teeth. We will then examine your teeth and take any records and further investigations we need, usually models of your teeth, photographs and x-rays. This is all that is done at the first visit. The orthodontist will then examine your records prior to your next visit to decide what treatment will be needed.
Again, no active treatment is provided at this visit. The orthodontist will explain in detail what is wrong with your teeth and all aspects of the treatment that would be required to correct them. If the malocclusion is sufficiently severe the treatment can be provided under NHS contract and you will have nothing to pay. However, not all cases meet the necessary entry requirements and treatment of these would entail a fee under private contract. Finally if you are happy to go ahead with treatment (and your toothbrushing is good enough!) then all the required paperwork is completed and an appointment is made for you to start treatment.
What happens at your further visits depends on what type of treatment is provided and which appliances are used.
While orthodontic treatment can improve smiles at any age, there may be an optimal time for individual patients to begin treatment in order to achieve maximum improvement in a minimum amount of time. While there are some specific exceptions, most orthodontics is carried on the adult teeth. So usually the best time to assess a patient is just as they are losing the last of the baby teeth, usually around 11 to 12 years old.
In some cases, earlier treatment may be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. This early intervention may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated, or eradicate the need completely. These types of treatment need are usually picked up by your normal dentist who will send you in for an assessment.
Your orthodontist will design a unique treatment plan for each and every child which will be determined from a clinical, photographic and x-ray examination. Following the diagnosis of your child’s specific problems, a bespoke treatment plan will be designed.
Regardless of your age, orthodontic treatment can provide you with straight teeth and a distinguished smile. Whilst treatment results in improved self-confidence and satisfaction, the goals of orthodontics are not just the cosmetic enhancement of your smile – there are always significant improvements in the health of your teeth and gums. Orthodontic problems, like crowding, gaps or a bad bite can worsen over time, if not appropriately addressed. For instance a 'bad bite' can end up causing chewing problems, uncharacteristic wearing of tooth surfaces and injury to the supporting bone and gum tissue. Poor tooth alignment can contribute to pain in your jaw joints and crowded teeth can be hard to clean or maintain, which may eventually lead to gum disease, tooth decay and even tooth loss.
Another example is when a tooth has been missing for a period of time and the adjacent teeth have tipped into the space, restricting the placement of a bridge or an implant. Orthodontic movement of the adjacent teeth would be the ideal way to recreate the desired space. In order to clarify if you can benefit from orthodontic treatment, a consultation with a specialist orthodontist is necessary. After observing the condition of your teeth, gums and supporting bones to determine the potential for improving your smile and dental health, the orthodontist will take all the required records. These are examined and discussed with you at your next appointment and following a decision on the most appropriate course of treatment your orthodontist can inform you of what your treatment would involve and its approximate cost. You are then given your paperwork to take home to consider your discussions, seek a second opinion should you so desire, and complete and return in your own good time.
We carry out a fully comprehensive range of treatments to the highest standard under contract with the NHS. This service is free to any patient under 18 that qualifies for it. NHS contract provides all types of treatment to achieve excellent oral health and a great smile however certain types of appliances and procedures may not be available via this route. In addition NHS appointments are limited to school hours 9-3.30 week-days.
A detailed list of your rights and responsibilities is available for download. Please note that the responsibilities include good co-operation with prescribed treatment and attendance at the appointments provided. Poor co-operation with treatment or failure to attend appointments will result in termination of treatment.
A fully comprehensive range of treatments to the highest standard is available privately. In addition you can have access to methods that can increase the speed of your treatment or make it a more enjoyable experience. For example high speed or low visibility porcelain brackets which are only available privately. We can also guarantee out of school hours appointments and no waiting list to start your treatment. Prices do vary depending on the type of treatment and the options chosen but start from as little as under £25 per week.
Provides comprehensive treatment of any presenting malocclusion
Uses steel or ‘low visibility’ porcelain brackets
Has no waiting list
Has daytime (in school hours) appointments
Is available up to 18 years old
Costs £400 up front and £85 per month for 18 months
Provides comprehensive treatment of any presenting malocclusion
Is available at any age
Permits the use of low visibility porcelain brackets
Can provide out of school / work appointments
Has no waiting list
Costs £500 up front and £140 per month for 18 months
The payments cover all aspects of treatment, all appliances, clinical time, advice as required and reviews for a period of up to a year after your braces have been removed to ensure all is well with your new smile.
The cost of extracting teeth by your own dentist (if this is required)
Failed appointments, or appointments cancelled at short notice. (These are charged at £2 per minute of clinical time wasted.)
Lost or broken plastic braces or those which have to be replaced due to poor wear.
These are charged at £100 per appliance. Multiple breakages (>3) of fixed brace components which are charged at £50 per further repair session.
Broken bonded retainers (where fitted) which fail >1 year after fitting. These are charged at £50 per repair or £300 for removal and replacement of the entire appliance.
To make the brace we will first take another mould of your teeth (the first one we took is need for a record of your teeth at the start of treatment). This is sent off to the laboratory to make the brace. About 2 weeks later you will have another appointment to fit the brace which is easy and only takes a few minutes. You willl be given instructions how to look after you brace at your appointment but these are also available here download more information
This is a two part appliances that works by holding the lower jaw forward in a position which makes it pull the upper teeth back, reducing their prominence. It is used in many cases where the upper teeth stick out too much and is a very successful and effective appliance. They are however quite bulky and difficult to get used to, so when they are fitted for the first time they are glued in full time for the first 2 weeks. After this the glue is removed and the appliance must then still be worn full time, but can be removed to clean after eating and to brush your teeth
Fixed braces (often referred to as ‘train tracks’) are used in almost all cases as they are the most accurate, reliable and powerful way to move teeth. To fit fixed braces the first appointment will be to fit some separating elastics. These are small blue rubber rings which gently press your back teeth apart by a tiny amount, enough to provide space to fit the first part of your fixed brace, which are small stainless steel rings that go round the back teeth. If separators are not used the metal rings can be very tight and difficult to get on. At the second appointment the teeth are washed and polished and the brackets are glued on to your teeth using a glue which is set by a light. Then a thin wire is tied into the brackets with small coloured elastic bands (you can choose whatever colour you like). The whole process takes about half to 3/4 of an hour and does not hurt. We will then give you all the instructions about how to look after the brace.
These are thin clear plastic splints that are provided after we remove the braces. They are worn full time for the first three months and then night time only for another three months or so to hold the new position of the teeth. They are clear, see through appliances and are very easy to wear and can hardly be seen when in place.
These are small wires that are glued to the back of teeth to prevent them moving after the braces have been removed. They are generally only used in areas where relapse is most likely as they can be difficult to clean around and time consuming and expensive to repair if they break.
If you already have a mouth-guard it will not fit very soon after the braces are fitted as the teeth move very quickly. To ensure you can continue to play contact sports safely we provide an off the peg mouth-guard that fits around your braces. This protects your teeth and covers the brace to stop your cheeks catching it, permitting you to play and be treated in safety. They are only £5 at the reception desk and we recommend you use them if you play any contact sport.
BDS FDS RCPS M Dentsci MOrthos RCS
Registered as a Dentist & Specialist (GDC)
British Dental Association
British Orthodontics Society
Fellow. Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons