Before

After

Following the removal of her ceramic fixed brace, Ilay sent us a wonderful thank you card with this message “Thank you every so much for looking after me very well.  The best service ever received.”

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Benjamin Blum works with us on Tuesdays and Fridays to help you keep your teeth clean and gums healthy.  He trained at Barts and The Royal London and passed his Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Therapy with distinction. Benjamin has a wide range of experience having worked in both hospital departments and in practice. Benjamin supports the delivery of our NHS periodontal service and also treats our orthodontic patients.

When wearing fixed braces it can be more difficult to keep your teeth clean as food can get caught on the brace and it gets in the way of brushing.  We advise all our orthodontic patients on how to brush effectively around braces and which types of brushes and floss to use, but sometimes it can be useful to get some professional help.  Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease which if left untreated can cause tooth loss.  Benjamin is used to working with people who are wearing braces and is experienced at cleaning around them effectively.

We recommend that you see a Hygienist every 3 months while wearing braces and our fees are just £52 for a half hour cleaning session.

To book your Hygiene appointment, call 020 7247 5768.

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Her main concerns when she first came to see us where that her teeth were not straight, also that her smile was narrow and in an incorrect bite which was causing wear to some teeth.  The incorrect bite  can be seen in the photo from the start of treatment where some of the lower teeth bite in front of the upper teeth instead of behind.

Before

After

“I wanted to transmit how extremely happy I am with my new teeth. I will forever be grateful for the professionalism, hospitality and excellent results you and your team have shown me so far as a patient and customer. So my feedback up to this point is of complete satisfaction.”

Once the braces were removed, fixed retainers were placed behind the front six teeth in the top and bottom to keep her teeth straight so that she can continue to enjoy her new smile!

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The functional appliance used in this case is called a Twin Block.  This is a removable brace for the upper and lower teeth.  It is worn all the time and only taken out for eating, brushing the teeth and while playing any kind of contact sports.  Fahima used the twin block for 11 months.

Before

After

Once the removable brace had done its job in helping to bring the lower teeth and jaw forward, fixed braces were used to straighten the teeth.  Fahima’s teeth were not very crowded so this stage only took 3 months.

Before

After

If you, or your child, has a similar problem with their teeth, speak to your general Dentist about a referral to your local Orthodontic Practice.  Treatment like this with functional braces is only possible in growing children and can help to avoid the need for surgery to the jaws to correct this later in life.

The post Functional Appliances – correcting a small lower jaw with a Twin Block appeared first on Orthodontist Blog - The Brace.

Here is an example of a case where four teeth have been removed (one from each corner of the mouth) to correct overcrowding and straighten the teeth.

Before

After

 
Not everyone needs to have teeth removed for brace treatment, for milder overcrowding there are other ways of creating the space needed to straighten teeth.  At The Brace Orthodontic Practice in London we frequently use other methods of making space including expansion and enamel reduction.

Expansion
If your teeth sit in quite a narrow arch or V shape then space can be made by expanding this into a wider arc, this also creates a broader and more aesthetically pleasing smile by eliminating ‘dark corridors’ at the sides of your mouth when you smile.

Before

After

Enamel Reduction
Enamel reduction (or IPR, Interproximal Reduction) is a process by which a very small amount of the enamel is removed from in between the teeth.  This is usually done between several teeth and creates tiny gaps which when added together can create enough space to straighten teeth that are mild-moderately crowded.  This method of creating space is often used with the Invisalign® clear aligner system.

To find out whether you will require teeth to be removed as part of treatment, contact us now to book a consultation with one of our Specialist Orthodontists.

The post Why do Orthodontists Extract Teeth? appeared first on Orthodontist Blog - The Brace.

Once the ‘active’ phase of your orthodontic treatment is completed (your teeth have been moved using braces and you are happy with their new position) retainers are used to prevent your teeth from moving back to their original place.  There is no way to predict how long it will take for your teeth to start to move after orthodontics or how much they will move as everyone is different.  What we do know is that without some kind of retainer there is no guarantee that your teeth will stay straight. Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment, whichever kind of brace you have.

There are two main types of retainer, fixed or removable.

Fixed retainers – this is fixed in place by the orthodontist and attached to the back of your front 6 teeth.  If you have had braces on both your top and bottom teeth then you will have a retainer placed behind the front 6 top teeth and bottom teeth.  As this retainer is not removable you need to take some extra care when brushing your teeth to make sure it does not get broken and that you are cleaning your teeth effectively around it.  Fixed retainers can last for up to 10 years and should be viewed as a long term commitment after braces.

Removable retainers – this is a kind of retainer that you can take in and out yourself and is removed when eating and cleaning your teeth.  At The Brace we use vacuum moulded clear plastic retainers which fit right over the teeth.  Usually after an initial period of full time wear these kind of retainers can be worn over night only.  Removable retainers last around 2 years before needing replacement, as they are taken in and out of the mouth quite frequently they do wear and can eventually crack.  A broken retainer will not be doing it’s job properly so it is important to visit your Orthodontist to get a new one.

At The Brace Orthodontic Practice in London, we include both fixed and removable retainers in your treatment cost, so there are no nasty surprises at the end of treatment.

To find out more about straightening your teeth with braces, contact us to book a consultation with one of our Specialist Orthodontists.

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It is a common misconception that other types of braces are not as effective or efficient as traditional metal fixed braces.  In many cases the type of brace you choose to straighten your teeth depends on personal factors like how concerned you are with the way they look, if you prefer fixed or removable braces and your budget.

Here is a quick comparison of some of the key features of different types of braces:

To find out more about which type of brace is right for you, come to see one of our Specialist Orthodontists for a consultation. Book your consultation now.

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The main problem that arises is that it is more difficult to stick fixed braces to these restorations than it is to natural tooth material.  This can mean that a removable brace (like Invisalign) rather than fixed brace is a better option, or we may need to use other methods of attaching the brace to the crowns such as orthodontic bands.

With bridges or implants there is the added problem that movement of these teeth is limited.  It is not possible to move the position of implants with orthodontics and with bridges the movement must often be minimised to prevent damage to the bridge itself.  This can mean a slight compromise in the overall result or the need to replace the bridge at the end of brace treatment.

Will braces affect my crown or bridges?

It is possible that crowns and bridges can be damaged during orthodontic treatment.  Usually this damage is purely aesthetic and there is no need to do anything about this, especially if the restored teeth are at the back of the mouth.  If crowns are present at the front of the mouth, it may be necessary to replace these after the brace treatment is complete.  In very rare cases there can be more severe damage or crowns can even be displaced.  We will always take x-rays to confirm the stability of restorations before commencing orthodontics and consult with your Dentist if necessary.

Should I get a new crown before my brace gets fitted?

Generally the answer to this is NO. If you are thinking of replacing crowns to improve their appearance it is usually best to wait until after your orthodontic treatment is complete.  This is because crowns can sometimes be damaged by braces.  However, if the crown is loose, causing pain or problems then it may be necessary to replace immediately, in these situations your Dentist can often place a temporary crown for the duration of your brace treatment and fit the final, permanent, crown afterwards.

For more information, come and speak to one of our Specialist Orthodontists.  Contact us now to book your consultation.

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Researching Braces? Wondering what retainers are?
Here is our helpful guide to orthodontic terms.

Consultation/Assessment – this is your first appointment with the orthodontist where you can discuss your concerns about your teeth and the orthodontist will advise you of the best treatment plan. Contact us to book your consultation with one of our Specialists.

OPG/Panoramic X-Ray – an x-ray image of your whole mouth including the roots of the teeth and jaw bones

Impressions/Study Models – moulds taken of your teeth using a putty material to make models of your teeth and some appliances like Invisalign aligners, Incognito braces, retainers, whitening trays and removable braces

Brackets – the part of fixed braces which are attached to each tooth.  These can be either metal, tooth coloured ceramic, lingual or Damon.

Arch Wires – the wire attaches to all of the brackets and connects the teeth.  This is changed several times during the treatment in order to move the teeth.

Modules – the elastic bands that hold the wire in place on fixed braces.  These come in a variety of colours if you want to liven up metal braces or can be clear to blend in with tooth coloured ceramic braces.

Retainers – appliances which hold your teeth straight once the brace treatment is complete. These are a very crucial part of treatment and essential to maintaining your new smile.

Removable retainers – retainers that can be taken off by you, usually removed for eating and cleaning the teeth.

Fixed retainers – retainers which are attached to the back of the teeth and are not removed for eating or brushing.

Invisalign – an orthodontic appliance using a series of clear, removable aligners to move the teeth instead of brackets and wires.

Aligners – rigid clear plastic trays molded to the shape of your teeth used in the Invisalign system.

Refinements – the process at the end of Invisalign treatment of taking new impressions of the teeth to produce further aligners for the finishing touches of your treatment.

Elastics – small elastic bands that are attached to the brace to help teeth move in the required direction

Separators – very small elastic bands used to make space between teeth to allow braces to be fitted

Incognito – a custom made lingual brace that can do everything a traditional fixed brace can do but is completely invisible as it is fitted on the back of the teeth

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Recently we saw 7 people in one day for consultations about braces.  We never know what to expect on days like this and a whole variety of people can walk through the door with very different reasons for wanting braces.  Here is a summary of the kind of people we saw that day and the reasons people want to straighten their teeth.

Relapse cases: Several of these people were in their late 20’s to early 30’s. They had all had orthodontic treatment as teenagers and have since experienced movement of their teeth as a result of not wearing retainers. Now they were looking to get back the straight teeth and happy smiles they had at the end of their first course of treatment.  Most people who have had orthodontics as a teenager originally wore traditional metal fixed braces and are usually not keen to experience that kind of treatment again.  Thankfully, most relapse cases are suitable for invisible treatment options like Invisalign.

The right time in my life: Another person we saw that day, who had a very common reason for coming to see us, was a gentleman who had always been concerned about his teeth but had not previously been in a position to do anything about this.  Now in a good job with financial stability he felt it was the right time in his life to improve the overall appearance of his teeth, including changing old fillings and crowns and considering orthodontics to straighten things out.

I didn’t think adults could have braces? It is a common misconception that braces are just for children and many adults are put off by the idea of wearing metal braces.  One of the patients we saw that day had always thought that nothing could be done about his teeth now that he was an adult. Thankfully, he expressed his concerns about the appearance of his teeth to his General Dentist who told him that it was possible for him to have braces and pointed him in our direction.  There are also many types of discreet and invisible braces available including tooth coloured braces (Clarity), clear removable aligners (Invisalign) and braces fixed to the back of the teeth (Incognito).

I am too old for braces: Finally, many people think that there must be an upper age limit for having braces or that there is no point in straightening teeth later in life, our patient that day had even been asked by her Dentist why she was considering braces at her age!  At The Brace we have treated patients of all ages including some in their 70’s. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy there is no age limit to orthodontic treatment.  For many people their teeth may have been a concern to them all their life but they have been put off by the cost or the appearance of braces, with the advances in technology and the range of discreet and affordable braces now available there are no longer any barriers to treatment.

If any of these patient stories sound familiar to you then come to see us for a consultation to find out how we can help you straighten your teeth and smile with confidence.
Call 020 7247 5768 to book your consultation.

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