Treatment Options

Invisalign® is the world’s largest manufacturer of removable aligners.The aligners are clear and they straighten the teeth gradually as you change them in sequence. You will not be embarrassed to smile and you will be able to function as normal.

Advantages

• Invisalign aligners® are comfortable removable braces. They fit accurately over your teeth since they are manufactured using 3D imaging methods
• You can watch the process on a computer and provide input into designing your own smile.
• Treatment is usually performed on a non-extraction basis.
• There are no dietary restrictions.
• The aligners are hygienic and it is easy to clean the teeth.

How to get started?

Contact us for a consultation.
For more information Visit the Invisalign website.

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Emergencies > Invisalign

A functional appliance is used to treat young children and teenagers with a large protrusion (sticking-out teeth). It is important to correct a large protrusion to minimise the risk of a traumatic injury to the upper front teeth.

It works by pushing on the teeth, with a gentle force that is created when placing it in the mouth and closing the teeth together.

A functional appliance is custom-made to fit over the teeth. It can be easily inserted and removed for cleaning and meals.

Advantages

• A simple and effective method to correct large protrusions.
• No need for a headgear
• Many cases can be treated without extractions

Types

An Activator appliance is best for younger children. A Twin Block appliance is best to treat teenagers

Activator

Twin Block

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Emergencies > Functional Appliances
NHS > Overview

Lingual Braces are individually glued to the inside surface of teeth. The teeth are moved with gentle forces created by wires, elastics, and springs. The brackets are custom made for maximum comfort and efficiency. They are manufactured using 3D imaging techniques. We offer Incognito™ and Harmony™ because they are the most advanced lingual brace systems to straighten teeth.

Incognito™ Incognito™ is a product of 3M and is manufactured in Germany. The wires are tied into the brackets using ties and elastics.
Harmony™ Harmony™ is a product of American Orthodontics and is manufactured in France. The brackets have sliding gates incorporated into the design which allows removal of the wires without the need for ties or elastics.

Advantages

• Lingual braces are virtually invisible.
• A sophisticated method of straightening teeth.
• The treatment outcome is less dependent on compliance in comparison to techniques using removable braces.
• Any staining to the enamel does not show since it is on the inside surface of the teeth.

How to get started?

Contact us for a consultation.

For more information

Visit the Incognito™ and Harmony™ website.

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Emergencies > Lingual Braces

Metal (Stainless Steel) Braces are individually glued to the outside surface of teeth. The teeth are moved with a gentle force from wires, elastics, and springs.

Coloured elastics can be placed around the metal squares (brackets) to improve their appearance.

Advantages

• A proven and versatile technique with a predictable outcome.
• Very popular with our younger patients.

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Emergencies > Metal Braces
NHS > Overview

Mini-screws are also called Micro-impalnts. They are small titanium pegs used in order to provide an “anchor” to pull the teeth towards.

One or two implants are inserted into the bone by an experienced dentist using a local anaesthetic. They are easy to place and are completely painless.

Micro-implants can be used together with fixed and removable braces. A spring or rubber elastic is attached from a brace to an implant.

The screws are removed when they are no longer necessary and the gum and bone heal very quickly and without scarring.

Advantages

• Implants turn complicated situations into simple ones.
• No need for a headgear
• Treatment duration can be reduced dramatically in half.
• We have a high success rate using this technique.

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Emergencies > Micro Implants

A Pendulum appliance is custom-made and placed behind the upper teeth, over the roof of the mouth. It helps push molar teeth backwards, and it can create a large amount space using special springs.

It usually takes around 8 months to work properly. The teeth are later straightened using braces.

Advantages

• A Pendulum can turn an extraction case into a non-extraction case
• No need for a headgear
• No issue with compliance since the appliance is attached and cannot be removed.
• Suitable for children and adults.

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Emergencies > Pendulum Appliance

If you participate in active sport activities such as Rugby, Football, Boxing e.t.c. it is important to wear a mouthguard.

A mouthguard provides protection to the teeth during an unexpected and sudden impact. It helps to absorb and distribute the force so that it is less likely to cause a serious injury to the teeth.

A mouthguard also covers braces that are attached to the outside of teeth and it helps to prevent an injury to the lips.

Types

An off-the-shelf Mouthguard is recommended at a time when a mouthguard is needed urgently. It will allow you to participate in sport activities whilst you wait for a custom fitted mouthguard to be manufactured.

A Custom Fitted Mouthguard offers the best possible protection. An impression is taken of the teeth and braces and the mouthguard is made by a laboratory. It can be made in a variety of colours patterns.

You need a Mouthguard especially when

• Your teeth stick-out.
• You have braces.
• The School or Sport instructor demands one.

Advantages

• Protect the teeth from a sudden blow
• Easy to place and remove
• Suitable for children and adults.

Only a well fitting custom mouthguard provides adequate protection.

Quad Helix A spring appliance that is glued to the upper teeth. It is used to push upper back teeth sideways (expansion). This appliance is useful for correcting the position of back teeth that cross over the wrong way (cross bites)
Rapid Maxillary Expander An appliance with a screw that is glued to the upper teeth. The screw is activated twice-daily and it pushes the back teeth sideways.
Thumb-crib An appliance that is used to break a habit of sucking on a thumb or any other finger. It is glued to the upper back teeth.
Transpalatal Arch A soldered appliance that is glued to the upper back teeth. It is used to stabilise the position of the upper back teeth whilst the remaining teeth are straighten with braces.
Lingual arch A soldered appliance that is glued to the lower back teeth. It is used to stabilise the position of the lower back teeth whilst the remaining teeth are straightened with braces.
Headgear A removable flexible strap is attached from the head or neck to pull on upper teeth. A headgear is used to help push and pull on the teeth.

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Emergencies > Other Types

The goal of Orthodontic treatment is straighten the teeth and to provide the best possible functioning bite and facial aesthetics. This may not be possible if the upper and lower jaws are not in a good alignment. In such cases it may be necessary to realign the jaws and the procedure is known as Orthognathic Surgery.

This type of operation is generally offered to patients who are 17 years or older i.e. at the end of adolescent growth. It is carried out under general anaesthetic by an experienced Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgeon. We use braces first to straighten and position the teeth in preparation for the surgery.

Orthognathic Surgery may Benefit Patients with

• A small lower jaw and/ large upper jaw.
• A large lower jaw and/or small upper jaw.
• An open bite that is caused by the jaws being apart.
• A deep bite caused by the jaws being too close together.
• A jaw asymmetry.

The operation is carried out from inside the mouth and it does not leave visible scars. It may sometimes be necessary to have the wisdom teeth removed first.

We will refer you for a consultation with a trusted surgeon if we feel that surgery is the best option to correct your malocclusion.

To learn about Orthognathic surgery please visit the British Orthodontic Society webpage and also have a look this website.

Retainers are appliances that keep the teeth straight at the end of the treatment. They are usually not used to straighten teeth!

The most common types of retainers include a Hawley, Trutain, and fixed retainer.

Hawley Retainer This traditional retainer includes a silver wire that sits across the front teeth, metal clasps (clips) on the back molars, and a plastic frame. It is easy to insert and remove and is rigid and sturdy.
Clear Retainer This type of retainer is manufactured from a thin and clear plastic material that hugs the teeth snugly. It is easily removed, comfortable to wear, and is almost invisible. We offer Essix™ and Zendura™ retainers.  Zendura is a more durable material.
Fixed/bonded Retainer Made from a semi-rigid wire that is glued behind the front teeth. Comfortable and invisible and a must in some cases.

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Emergencies > Retainers