Tooth Braces and Orthodontics can move and straighten teeth. Sometimes people benefit by having brace work first, then any cosmetic treatment after. We also provide Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry alternatives including all Dental Implants, MTI mini Implants, immediate Dental Implants, Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, Precision Dentures, Tooth Bleaching, Teeth Whitening, Cosmetic Bonding, Latest Ceramic Restorations, Second Opinions, Smile Profiling, Gum Diseases, Tooth wear and worn, uneven teeth, Periodontal Plastic Surgery, TMJ's, Difficult Occlusions, Excessive Wear Cases, Root canal treatment, Trauma and Emergencies; Anxious or Nervous Patients welcome too!

Please read below for general information relating to Orthodontic treatment, Braces and straightening teeth.

Please note: Disclaimer - All information on this site is purely for general interest only - you should always seek external "independent" advice before acting upon ANYTHING published on this site. Thankyou.

Braces are used to help teeth to move into a better functional or
cosmetic position. They can also influence jaw growth if timed early.
Malocclusion is the dental term for teeth that don't fit together
properly. Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects
malocclusions.
The size of teeth and how they fit into a person's jaw are inherited
traits. Some people are lucky and naturally have straight teeth.
Others aren't so lucky. Also, habits like thumb-sucking can also put
pressure on teeth and cause a malocclusion. Missing teeth can cause
a bad bite to develop, as well; the teeth around a space will shift,
throwing off the entire bite.
A malocclusion that isn't corrected can really affect a person's
profile and appearance. It may also contribute to tooth decay, bone
destruction, jaw joint problems, and headaches.
Correcting your bite through orthodontic treatment can improve your
dental health as well as your smile.

The main problems are usually related to oral hygiene - unless one can already clean teeth well to a high standard
without braces in place, then most orthodontists and Dentists will refuse treatment !
This is because the Braces will inevitably trap more food, plaque and debis around them, making a dirtier mouth.
This will always cause more decay and cavities so there is no point in having straight, rotten teeth that may then
need extensive repairative treatment or even extractions after years of bracework. Good cleaning and diet are essential!

Other potential problems are pain initially as the teeth start to move - only rarely does this cause treatment to be abandoned.
Also some teeth can become non-vital and need root canal tretment later or the roots can resorb (dissolve) away a bit due
to being moved through the bone. these risks increase the older the patient is, in general.
However, fortunately these complications are rare and the vast majority of orthodontic braces treatment is successful.

Orthodontic (Braces) treatment often does take years, because teeth move so slowly through bone.
However, the best time to do this is usually at 12 -14 years old, when all the second teeth
(apart from wisdom teeth) are through and yet the bone isn't fully set and hardened yet.
This could still take 2 years of fixed braces and 6-12 months retention with a removable brace.

Adults can usually double the time (and the costs!) to get the same treatment as in childhood, because the
bone is much harder and denser and there is a greater tendency to relapse (reversal) after treatment.

Yes, if Orthodontics is not practical or desirable or you want quicker results, there are other treatments.
Remember that orthodontics does not improve the colour or shape of the teeth, braces just move teeth!
Thus other treatments such as tooth whitening to improve the colour or veneers or crowns to improve the
Shape and Colour and to a certain degree the position of teeth too, may be considered.
Sometimes treatment involves Braces and then other Cosmetic work such as whitening and Veneers!

The pictures below show fixed braces on Teeth (usually metal) and alternative Ceramic tooth-coloured brackets to look less metallic.

The above pictures show some of the different components used in fixed Braces - remember that better cleaning is required too!

Clearly there are a number of options to consider and not everyone is suitable for braces or other alternative treatments.
Your Dentist or Orthodontic Specialist can adivise you as appropriate.

For other Dentistry subjects information and choices, please click on:
Tooth Bleaching and Whitening or Dental and mini Implants or Dental Emergencies and Toothaches
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