Orthodontics
Orthodontics will align crowded teeth and camouflage mild to moderate skeletal discrepancies of the jaws. The most common method to correct the position of the teeth and establish a functional bite (occlusion) is through the use of braces. Use of a preadjusted edgewise "straightwire" type appliance provides the very best in high quality alignment and orthodontic correction of occlusal problems. Traditional braces are made of stainless steel and are still the most commonly used appliance today. Recent demands for less noticeable braces have led to the development of clear and ceramic "tooth coloured" appliances, which provide the same high quality of treatment. For mild problems that do not require bite correction, just alignment, a series of clear "invisible aligners" can be used to straighten the teeth without any braces at all!
Braces Stage 1 - Level and Alignment
Most of the visible changes occur quickly during this stage where irregular and mal-posed teeth are brought into alignment by archwires that are highly flexible and gentle in action. Progressively archwires are fully tied into brackets during this phase. Appointment intervals during this time may be extended upto 8 weeks as these "high tech" wires continue to act reliably over these longer intervals.
Braces Stage 2 - Bite correction and Space closure
A slower stage in which stiffer stainless steel archwires are usually in place and your bite correction is achieved by the use of intra-oral elastics and powerchains. Good compliance is essential to keep your treatment progressing and appointments are usually scheduled every 4-6 weeks. The configuration of elastic wear may be changed to reflect the changes occurring to your bite.
Braces Stage 3 - Detailing and Finishing
Individual tooth position is fine tuned to produce a highly aesthetic smile and functional bite. Minor movements are often required by placing specific bends in the archwires during detailing. Elastic wear may be continued during this stage and the wires may be changed to prepare the bite for the eventual removal of your braces.
Braces Stage 4 - Retention and Retainers
The most important part of your treatment is maintaining the result. As a general tendency teeth tend to crowd and overlap as we age. The ONLY method to prevent this occurrence is meticulous and fastidious retainer wear. Initially full time wear is required (apart from swimming / vigorous sport and eating) for 6-12 months. Following that period it is necessary to continue your retainer wear every night for a further 6-12 months.
Finally wear is reduced, to a few nights per week or fortnight, however, if you never want future crowding, a degree of retainer wear will be necessary for the long term.