Time for Change

If you would like information on the types of orthodontic treatment available please visit www.bos.org.uk/orthodonticsandyou. For more information about lingual orthodontics please visit www.blos.co.uk

It is NOW possible to treat most misaligned teeth

Braces are more than a way to create a stunning smile; they can improve dental health and function.  Overcrowded or crooked teeth are harder to brush and floss, and improper cleaning can lead to tooth decay and gum problems. Orthodontic treatment can also correct bite problems. If left untreated, bite problems can cause teeth to wear down or cause difficulty in chewing.

 

fixed brace
Are the most common type of brace today, often known as "train tracks". Brackets are glued onto the teeth and linked by wires. Small elastic hoops are often used to hold the wire in position. The wires exert gentle pressure to move the teeth into a new position. The brackets can be metal, ceramic or even gold and the elastic hoops come in many colours.

A removable brace
Are sometimes used for correcting a simple problem, such as moving a single tooth or expanding the dental arch. It has a plastic baseplate with wires and springs attached. Removable braces need to be worn all the time except for cleaning or sport.

Functional appliances
Are used to harness the growth of the jaws and improve way the upper and lower teeth meet. There are several designs all of which fit on to both the upper and lower teeth and hold the lower jaw forward. They are mostly removable but should be worn as near to full-time as possible.

Lingual appliance
The term ‘Lingual’ comes from Latin and means "on the side, towards the tongue". Lingual orthodontics refers to the correction of misaligned teeth using a fixed appliance bonded to the inner surface of the teeth to correct tooth positioning - without the braces being seen.

Aligners
Are clear, thin and flexible plastic ‘mouthguards’ which fit precisely and comfortably over the teeth. They allow the patient's irregular teeth to be corrected using a series of incrementally changing appliances. These can only be used to correct mild to moderate cases requiring no extractions.

Retainers
At the end of treatment, all patients should wear retainers to hold their teeth in the new position. These can be removable or fixed and are an important part of treatment.