At Circus Orthodontics we aim to provide the best care possible for our patients. We've therefore provided some handy answers to questions our team are frequently asked in practice.
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Your regular dentist will monitor your child's dental development when there are lots of deciduous (baby) teeth present. Most children begin orthodontic treatment around the age of 12 or 13, once all their permanent (adult) teeth have erupted. In a few instances it is better to start orthodontic treatment sooner and your dentist may want to make an earlier referral.
Fitting the brace should not be painful. For a fixed brace, the brackets are simply glued onto the surface of the teeth and then a thin wire joins the brackets together. No anaesthetic is needed.
After the brace has been fitted you can expect some aching and tenderness as the teeth start to move, but this mostly wears off after 5 to 7 days. The amount of discomfort varies from person to person and some patients do experience a degree of tenderness for a longer period. It may be helpful to take your normal painkillers for a day or two after the brace has been fitted. Some further discomfort may be experienced when the brace is adjusted.
If you're visiting our practice for the first time soon, visit our patient information page to find out more about what to expect.
Simple straightening can sometimes be completed in 6 months, particularly if the treatment goal is just to straighten the upper front 6 teeth and accept the way that the teeth bite together. However, a relatively short treatment like this usually produces limited changes and this is not always a long-term solution as often this isn't enough time to move the whole tooth, including the roots, into the ideal position. This may mean that the teeth are more likely to try and move back to their original positions once the braces are removed. On average, it takes between 18 to 24 months to improve the way that the teeth look as well as improving the way that they bite together. However, treatment may take longer for more difficult orthodontic problems – for example if your front teeth are very prominent (stick out) or if you have teeth which are a long way from their ideal position.
You will usually need regular appointments with your orthodontist every 2 months to adjust your brace. It is not advisable to start treatment if you know that you will not be able to keep these appointments (if you are moving away from the area for example).
Yes, definitely, as the orthodontist only looks after the braces. Your teeth are actually at greater risk during orthodontic treatment and it is particularly important that you keep in contact with your regular dentist to monitor your dental health.
As with most things in life, there are potential risks as well as benefits to undergoing orthodontic treatment. At the point when you are ready to discuss your orthodontic treatment options, you will be given a booklet which will explain in detail the potential risks involved in undergoing orthodontic treatment. You will be asked to sign a form to confirm that you have been informed about these possible risks. Many of these risks can be minimised by applying common sense and following the advice of your orthodontist.
Browse our range of articles to find out more about care and advice whilst you are away from our practice.