Preventive Orthodontics
Preventive Orthodontics implies all action taken to preserve the integrity of what appears to be the normal occlusion at a specific time
Getting Treatment Every patient needs tailor-made treatment based on a full assessment of your teeth which includes x-rays, impressions (moulds of the teeth) and photographs. Treatment can take more than two years. Braces are almost always needed. Those which are used most often are:
• Protruding upper front teeth – one of the most common dental problems
• Crowding – a narrow jaw may mean there is not enough room for your teeth, resulting in crowding. Conversely, some patients have significant gaps between their teeth.
• Asymmetry – particularly when the centre lines of the upper and lower front teeth do not match, perhaps because the teeth have drifted or the position of the jaw has shifted.
• A deep bite – when your upper teeth cover the lower teeth too much
• A reverse bite – when your upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth
• An open bite – when your front teeth remain apart when your back teeth meet; the tongue is often still visible between the upper and lower front teeth.
- A Fixed Brace – This is the most common type of brace today, often known as “train tracks”. Brackets are glued onto the teeth and linked by wires. The brackets can be metal, ceramic or even gold and the elastic loops come in many colours.
- A Removable Brace – This is sometimes used for correcting a simple problem, such as moving a single tooth or expanding the dental arch.. Removable braces need to be worn all the time except for cleaning or sport.
- Functional Appliances – These are used to harness the growth of the jaws and improve way the upper and lower teeth meet..
- Retainers – At the end of treatment, all patients should wear retainers to hold their teeth in the new position.