Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the study of irregularities of the teeth concerned with bad bite (malocclusions) and misaligned teeth. These are commonly corrected by the application of dental braces.

There are several types including fixed, ceramic, lingual and invisalign, all of which are described in the other pages of this section. They can be fitted to the top, bottom or both sets of teeth and work by applying gentle pressure to move the teeth into the desired position over a number of weeks or months depending on the amount of movement required and the age of the patient.

As braces are becoming more popular, the stigma of being a 'metal mouth' is fading. It is now a very common sight, a natural part of growing up, and in fact 25% of brace wearers are over the age of 21. You can even have coloured tooth brackets fitted and wear your brace with pride!

Care must be taken with hygiene when wearing a brace. Always brush thoroughly after eating to avoid bits of food collecting in between the brackets. You should also use a mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay.