Orthodontics

Anyone concerned about the appearance and function of their teeth and jaws.

Below are some conditions that leave some people with a less than confident smile.

The front teeth protrude – treatment in this instance not only improves appearance, but also protects the teeth from damage, people with protruding front teeth are more likely to injure them in sports, falling, etc.

Crowding – if your jaw is narrow, there may be not enough space for all the teeth. In such cases one or more teeth may have to be removed to make room for the others.

Impacted teeth – where an adult tooth does not emerge from the gum, or only emerges partially.

Asymmetrical teeth – where the upper and lower teeth do not match, especially when the mouth is closed but the teeth are showing.

Deep bite (overbite) – when the teeth are clenched, the upper ones come down over the lower ones too much

Reverse bite – when the teeth are clenched, the upper teeth bite inside the lower ones.

Open bite – when the teeth are clenched there is an opening between the upper and lower teeth.

Underbite – the upper teeth are too far back or the lower teeth are too far forward.

Cross bite – at least one of the upper teeth does not come down slightly in, from the lower teeth when the teeth are clenched, they are too near the cheek or the tongue.

Spacing – there are gaps or spaces between the teeth, either because a tooth is missing, or the teeth simply do not fill-up the mouth (opposite of crowding)

Orthodontic treatment can vary between a few months to several years depending on the severity of the problem. The average treatment period is around 18 months, however we’ll be able to give you an idea on how long your treatment will take at your initial consultation.

You will need to see us every 4-8 weeks during treatment to have your braces checked and adjusted. This varies according to which phase of treatment we are in.

Once your braces have been removed it is vital that your teeth are kept in their new position. This can be achieved with the use of an upper removable plate and a fixed wire which is bonded behind your teeth. You will need the plate full time for six months and then nights only for around 12-18 months.

Your teeth have to be kept very clean. It’s important to avoid sticky foods and sugary drinks as these will promote dental decay. You’ll also need to avoid eating hard foods during treatment and will need to eat only very soft food in the first few days after your braces are applied. Our patient care team will provide you with more tips about caring for your braces. You should also have regular dental check-ups during treatment and you may need extra dental hygiene visits.

Having braces applied is quite straightforward and not at all painful. Several hours after the braces have been placed you are likely to feel some discomfort/sensitivity. This will ease after the first week but some additional sensitivity may also be felt after each orthodontic visit. Paracetamol is generally enough to relieve this.

Dr O’Reilly will assess the positioning of your teeth and make a prediction on how they are likely to develop with treatment. The following diagnostic procedures will be performed:

– A full medical and dental health history
– A clinical examination
– X-rays of the teeth and jaw
– Teeth impression

After the assessment is done, Dr O’Reilly and his team will decide on a treatment plan.