A smile is a persons most prominent facial feature, even the most beautiful face is rendered immediately unappealing when a smile reveals stained, chipped, missing or crooked teeth. An attractive smile is not just about vanity, a smile is an important part of a first impression. During the past few years there has been a lot of media attention about cosmetic dentistry. At Sunningvale Dental Practice we help people achieve dream smiles with our artistic ability and extensive knowledge. Our philosophy at Sunningvale Dental Practice is to create natural looking beautiful smiles.
Orthodontic Treatment
Overcome Crooked Teeth with Help of Sunningvale Dental Practice
The Sunningvale Dental Practice Clinic is one of the most highly regarded centers in Biggin Hill, Westerham for orthodontic treatment. We are particularly well known for invisible braces for adults and teenagers. We guarantee that any treatment we provide is of the highest quality. Our orthodontists are world-class specialists in their field and use the latest technology in our state-of-the-art clinic.
The purpose of orthodontic braces is to treat your misaligned, crooked, crowded or protruding teeth. It close gaps between teeth to make sure your top and bottom teeth meet when you close your mouth. This makes your bite correct, let you eat more comfortably and benefit your smile.
Orthodontic treatments are not just for children. Many adults are identified facing problem of improper teeth alignment. With discreet teeth straightening options available at Sunningvale Dental Practice, adult orthodontics has becoming easier than ever.
TYPES OF BRACES:
Braces have to be worn at all times till treatment lasts. Some braces can be removed, whereas some are fixed to the front or back of your teeth. Our dentist will discuss with you which type of brace can be most suitable for you.
Removable braces
Removable braces comes with plastic plate with wire clips and springs attached to it, to move specific teeth. They can only move teeth by tipping or tilting them. Therefore they are used when the crowding of teeth is mild.
A removable brace needs to be worn at all times, including during nights and while taking meals. Eating with a brace can make you feel awkward initially, but it gets easier after few days. If you have to wear a mouth guard while playing sports, brace can be taken out.
Brace needs to be taken out for cleaning. We recommend you to clean your brace over a sink full of water so that if you drop it accidentally, it is less likely to get damaged.
Fixed braces
Fixed braces can be removed only by our orthodontist because they are attached to the surface of the teeth. Fixed braces are capable of moving your teeth in a very precise manner, and therefore they are most commonly used type of brace.
A fixed brace consists of small brackets, cemented to your teeth, and joined together with a wire. It's generally made of metal, but sometimes it can be made of plastic or ceramic, which are less noticed.
If required, an orthodontic mini-screw can be used to straighten your teeth, which provides a stable point to move your teeth. It is placed in a jawbone and is attached to the brace. After mini-screw is fixed, for few days your mouth and teeth may feel tender or painful.
After the treatment is over and brace is removed, our orthodontist will clean the brackets and filling material from your teeth and leave minor wound caused by the mini-screw to heal by itself.
Aligners
Aligners are removable moulds made of clear plastic. They are used if your condition is mild and you have most of your adult teeth which needs to be moved in place.
A set of two aligners (for upper and lower teeth) needs to be worn for two weeks and than they need to be replaced with a new set. This procedure continues until the treatment is complete and your teeth have moved at the right place.
Advantage of aligners is, they are almost transparent and therefore difficult to notice. At the same time they are easier to clean than braces. Disadvantage of aligners is, they may take longer to improve position of your teeth compared to braces.
Retainers
After your orthodontic treatment is complete, there remains a possibility that your teeth may move back towards their original position. This is called relapse. To stop this happen our orthodontist may use retainers, which are special braces used to keep your teeth in the correct position. Duration of retainers to be worn differs from patient to patient, depending on individual condition.
Retainers are available as removable and fixed, having their own advantages and disadvantages. Our orthodontist will help you choose the best for you.
THE BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT:
- Straight teeth remains comparatively healthy as they are not difficult to clean as crowded teeth.
- Orthodontic treatment improves facial profile by moving the jaw and realigning the bite.
- Orthodontic treatment resolves problem of clicking teeth - which can cause pain in jaws and creates tension on gum tissues.
- It reduces damage to prominent teeth.
- Feeling confident about your smile is a great morale booster and will raise your confidence levels and your feelings of self-esteem too.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
When do I need to see Orthodontist?
You need to see us to treat the following concerns or problems:
- Crooked teeth
- An improper bite
- Excessive teeth grinding
- Tension on gum tissue caused because of improper bite
- Uncomfortable smile
- Wrong alignment of teeth, lip and jaw
- Overcrowded teeth
- Teeth clicking
- Damage to prominent teeth
At what age should I have orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is suitable to both, children and adults. Many people still think orthodontic treatment is for children, but the fact is you are never too old to visit an Orthodontist. In case of children, having the right number of teeth is more important than age. Before starting treatment of a children it is necessary to see if there are enough teeth.
How does the treatment start?
The first most important thing is to have a full examination. This will usually involve looking at your teeth and taking x-rays. Our orthodontist will then discuss the type of braces most suitable for your condition. The treatment will start as soon as you decide to go ahead.
Will I need to have teeth taken out to make room?
In a situation where you have overcrowded teeth and there is not enough room for all of them, you may need to have some permanent teeth taken out to make space. Our dental team will tell you if this is the case. Sometimes space can be made using other forms of treatment to save your permanent teeth.
What are Invisible Braces?
Invisible Braces are tough, clear plastic aligners that are used to straighten teeth. They are made from clear plastic, therefore they are nearly invisible. These aligners needs to be worn for roughly 22 to 23 hours a day for the desired results. They can be removed for eating, brushing, and for cleaning in between your teeth.
What needs to be done after treatment is over ?
After your orthodontic treatment is complete, there remains a possibility that your teeth may move back towards their original position. This is called relapse. To stop this happen our orthodontist may use retainers, which are special braces used to keep your teeth in the correct position. Duration of retainers to be worn differs from patient to patient, depending on individual condition.
Retainers are available as removable and fixed, having their own advantages and disadvantages. Our orthodontist will help you choose the best for you.
Will it hurt?
All appliances may feel awkward at first, and can cause discomfort for first few days or few weeks. If the problem doesn't go away, our orthodontist will be able to carry out adjustments to help.
Can orthodontics damage my teeth?
There are chances your teeth gets damaged if you don't look after them properly during treatment. The damage is not caused by the braces, however poor cleaning and too many sticky or sugary foods, and drinks can cause damage to your teeth. Brackets and wires will trap food - this will cause more plaque than usual if cleaning of teeth is not done thoroughly.
How do I care for my brace and teeth?
It is important to keep your teeth checked regularly by the dentist while you on orthodontic treatment. Apart from that you need to be more careful on these things:
- Clean your teeth carefully every day. Our dental team can help you by explaining cleaning techniques depending on the type of brace you are wearing.
- Cut down consumption of sugary foods and drinks as much as possible, as they build plaque quicker than other food items.
- Be careful while taking sticky and hard foods as they may damage your brace.
- Brush your teeth at night just before you go to sleep. Our dental team may recommend a fluoride toothpaste, or a fluoride gel or mouth-rinse, depending on the type of brace you are wearing.
If you have any specific question about orthodontic treatment please fill our Online Contact Form or call us on 01959 575834.
Use our Online Consultation Booking Form tool to book your initial consultation.