Orthodontics is a speciality in dentistry, which deals with the growth of the face and jaws, development of the occlusion (how the teeth meet) and the prevention and correction of abnormalities of the occlusion.

Not everyone who calls themselves an orthodontist is a trained specialist! An orthodontic specialist is a dentist formally trained in orthodontics with extensive post-graduate training of at least 3 years. While all general dentists are "orthodontically aware" and can recognise the need for treatment, complicated treatment involving fixed braces is most safely and effectively dealt with by a trained specialist.

• For a great-looking smile.

• To reduce injury to teeth.

• To improve co-ordination of jaw growth and tooth development.

• To improve their looks and self-esteem. Teeth that are crooked, spaced, protruding (buck teeth) can subject children to teasing and negative social stereotyping. Idiots and villains in cartoons and films are often portrayed as having buck teeth or unattractive smiles.

• To allow teeth to meet properly.

• To straighten teeth and allow better access for cleaning. This can help prevent cavities and improve the health of your gums.

• To reduce injury to prominent teeth that stick out.

• To improve the growth of the gums.

• To correct bad habits like thumb-sucking.
  
  
  

Age doesn't matter!
All children should be monitored for proper dental development. Fluoride supplements and proper brushing habits help to reduce the danger of early loss of teeth. Good dental hygiene can either prevent the need for treatment or at least decrease the severity of later problems, hence making later orthodontic treatment easier. Children should have their first orthodontic screening around 7 years old. Interceptive and active treatment can be started as early as 7 years. At the other end of the scale, you can be as old as 6.

Are braces fashionable? You bet! As more people realise the importance of a great smile - for both children and adults - the demand for this service has increased. Braces now come in a variety of styles to suit each person - from the almost-invisible, to the most colourful imaginable, to 24k gold plated. Having braces shows that you care about you or your child's appearance and dental health.

An implant is a man-made replacement for natural teeth, which allows the person to return to fixed teeth. It is not a transplant, which is taken from another person. There are several categories of dental implants, which will be selected by the doctor depending on your specific needs and general dental condition. You would require an x-ray to evaluate the amount of bone remaining, models of your mouth to determine space available and a thorough examination to decide which type of implant can help you the most.

The procedure can involve a significant investment and fees can be determined after records and an examination is completed. A survey of 350 patients, after completion of their work, indicated that it was, not only worth the investment, but they would do it again.

Just as with any surgery, there can be some discomfort; however, anesthetic and patient sedation are used to eliminate any discomfort at the time of the procedure. Approximately 95 percent of patients report discomfort of 0-2 on a scale of 0-10 the day after the implants are placed. The doctor will prescribe medications to ease any discomfort that may occur. Special care will be taken to stay in contact with you after the surgery to be sure that you remain comfortable.

To complete treatment can take from 4 to 9 months and in some cases, longer. It should be understood that this procedure is advanced and can be a longer process than usual to assure it's success. We do, however, provide patients with temporary teeth during this time frame. AT NO TIME are you without teeth unless you elect to do so.

The body does not reject a dental implant, as it might a soft tissue transplant, such as a lung, heart or kidney. This does not mean that an implant cannot fail, but it would be due to other factors, such as misalignment, improper force on the implant or other conditions or existing diseases of the patient. Dental implants are made of a material, titanium, that is totally bio compatible(compatible with body tissues) and actually integrates with the surrounding bone and becomes part of the body.Titanium is also being used more and more in the medical field to replace body parts.

Generally, we recommend the day of and the following day after surgery, that no strenuous exercise be done. You can expect to be slightly swollen. The amount of time off required is an individual decision.

When you lose your teeth, you gradually lose the bone that supported them. As this bone disappears, problems with other teeth nearby and a lack of support for dentures, partials and bridges increase. These could include pain, mobility, lack of retention for prosthetics, sharp, painful ridges, mobile gum tissue and sore spots. The tongue enlarges to accommodate spaces of missing teeth. With tooth loss, a five-fold decrease in function occurs and the diet shifts to softer foods. Also, when bone is lost, numbness to the lower lip or even the possibility of fracture of the jaw rises. Since the bone is deteriorating, it will spread and deteriorate around healthy teeth and ultimately cause the loss of those teeth. I think everyone's heard of the "domino effect". Here's a very easy way to explain what happens. Picture a brick wall; take a brick right out of the middle of the wall. What happens? Eventually, the brick above starts to fall in from lack of support, the bricks to the side start shifting toward each other and those eventually fall out; then the process starts all over for those bricks nearest them. It's a similar process in the mouth. In addition, this progression will affect the ability to provide the same treatment in the later stages of bone loss than if treatment had been started earlier in the process. It's much better to replace a tooth BEFORE all of the side effects kick in. By waiting, you risk the possibility of not being able to provide the same, simple type of treatment that would have been possible earlier.

Anyone who is missing one or more (even all) of their teeth may be a candidate for implants. If one or a few of the teeth are missing, implants in conjunction with a crown or bridge can replace those teeth and function as normal teeth without losing more bone and being subject to decay. If all or most of your teeth are missing, then implants may be placed to anchor a loose denture. Sometimes, if there is already some bone loss, bone can be added and regenerated or a technique called bone expansion can be used to create a more ideal site for the implant(s). More detailed information and images are available from the treatment menu. Ultimately, a consultation with a dentist who is knowledgeable on these procedures can help determine your individual needs.

Fixed and removable. Fixed are more common, and come in silver, clear, & gold.

It differs for each case. It can range from 6-7 months for simple cases, to about 3 years for more comprehensive treatment. The average is usually 2 years. Once the brace is removed, you may need to wear a retainer for 6months - 1 year afterwards.

It varies for each case - it can be as young as eight to as old as 68! Generally, age doesn't matter. Children should have their first orthodontic screening around 8 years old.

• A consultation visit to see if you need braces and discuss cost and timing of treatment.

• If it is decided that treatment is necessary, then another visit is needed for record taking:
  Impressions to make models of the teeth
  X-rays to determine the presence and position of teeth, and
  Photographs

• Treatment planning - this is done with the patient (and parent/guardian where appropriate). This is to discuss the proposed plan for treatment and possible alternatives.

• Fitting the brace. It may be either a fixed or a removable brace.
  
  Fitting a fixed brace - small, elastic rings are placed between the back teeth to separate them slightly. This makes room to place the bands a few days later. The bands are then stuck on to the back teeth. The material used is strong enough to keep the appliance attached to the teeth during treatment, without damaging the surface of your teeth when the brace is removed. The teeth are prepared, then blown dry. Brackets are then glued to the teeth. The glue is hardened - painlessly - within seconds, by a specialised lamp. After gluing on the brackets an arch wire is attached to them. This wire acts to guide the teeth into place. The brace is tied in with elastic modules - or donuts. Donuts come in all colors to suit everybody's taste. Clear or tooth-colored donuts are practically invisible. On the other hand, colored, glow-in-the-dark or even fluorescent donuts are sure to get you noticed! We'll make sure that your brace is as individual as you are and gives you exactly the look you want.
  
  Fitting a removable brace - impressions are taken to make a model of your teeth. This is sent off to the lab which makes your brace. Your brace will be ready in about 2 weeks. Fitting takes only a few minutes.

The process of fixing a brace to your teeth doesn't hurt. In some cases, patients may feel a little discomfort for a few hours after the brace has been fitted or the arch wires have been tightened.Painkillers usually stop the discomfort right away. The brackets sometimes rub against your lips or cheeks for the first few days. This, however, is short lived as you soon get used to the brace. To begin with we give you wax that acts as a cushion and prevent soreness.

Once teeth move into a new position, new wires are put in place as the next step of the treatment. These new wires are often stiffer, making the brace feel "tighter" for a few days. This may cause mild discomfort for a day or two.

No, but some changes to how you eat are required. For example, hard foods can damage the appliance, while things like chewing gum and sticky chocolates can stick between the wires. This makes it more difficult to clean your teeth and prevent decay.

Few patients wearing a fixed brace notice any difference. Patients wearing a removable brace may find it takes a few days to get used to because the appliance rests against the roof of your mouth. This sensation passes within only a few days.

Yes. For removable braces, it is recommended you remove the appliance before participating in heavy contact sports. Wearers of fixed braces can participate in all activities, even contact sports like martial arts, football and basketball. Gum shields can be made for you if required.

Yes. We stock products to make it more comfortable if you request it.

Absolutely! The elastic parts of the brace can be fitted in pretty much any color you choose or fluorescent or glow-in-the-dark if you really want to get noticed! Removable braces can also come in different colours, with glitter, and with pictures.

Definitely! We have brackets that are clear or tooth-colored. This can leave your brace virtually invisible.

The use of these braces has diminished significantly in recent years. The results they offered were disappointing in terms of tooth movement, rapidity and patient comfort. The state-of-the-art in orthodontics is now the ultra-discreet tooth-colored and clear braces.

This treatment is offered at our clinic. Only orthodontists specially certified to use the technology can treat patients with Invisalign.

Elastics are like small rubber bands that usually go from your top to your bottom teeth. They help to move your teeth into the proper bite position. This is a part of the treatment, which relies on you - failure to wear the elastics could prevent or delay your front teeth moving into their correct position. This can prolong your treatment or detract from the results. And remember - if you don't wear them, it'll show and we'll know!

Call and make an appointment If the brace has been broken and pieces get loose, it often means that the brace is not intact and that the teeth are not moving. This will make your treatment longer.

Tell us about it. The components of the brace are small and non-toxic and normally pass through your digestive system without any problem. On very rare occasions, a part could be inhaled into the lungs and may require medical treatment.

No, not at all. The glue used to fix the brackets is specially designed to allow the brace to be removed painlessly by our specialised tools.

It is generally accepted within the orthodontic community that about 90% of the results are retained long term after treatment.

A retainer is an appliance that's used after the brace has been removed. It holds the teeth in their new position until they become stable. Retainers come in various forms. Clear retainers (which are barely noticeable) and fixed retainers are the two most-commonly used by this practice.

A removable one for 6-12 months after the braces are removed. A fixed retainer is worn for a longer period, from 1 year to permanently.

You undo all the good work! If the teeth don't get a chance to settle into their new position, they drift back towards the position they were in before the braces were fitted.

The materials and components used are expensive and highly specialised. Each tiny piece has been precision made. This is why it is stressed that treatment be carried out by persons specially trained and qualified in orthodontics. Some of the materials are so state of the art that they are used by NASA.

Definitely ! Ask anyone who's had braces and have a look at smiles in magazines and advertisements. Many of them will have worn braces to get that "movie star" smile.

Yes. However previous treatment may limit what can be done.