Child Treatments - Frequently Asked Questions
Below are a series of queries we often receive about our child orthodontic treatments, if there is question you would like answered that doesn't feature below please contact us and we will be happy to help.
- Do I need braces?
- How does Orthodontics work?
- Do Braces hurt?
- Can I choose the colours on my braces?
- Can I choose what sort of braces I will have?
- Am I able to have after-school appointments?
- Can I eat any foods?
- Will I have to have teeth removed?
- What is IOTN?
- Do you accept NHS patients
- What if I don't qualify for NHS funding?
- Is there a difference between NHS and private treatment?
- Can I have white brackets under NHS?
- How much does private or low-cost treatment cost?
- Can I still play sport?
- How important is it to keep my teeth clean when I'm wearing braces?
- What are elastics?
- What happens if my braces break?
- What are retainers?
Do I need braces?
Braces can improve your smile! Your teeth and smile are important features of your face. A great smile can make a big difference to your confidence. Straight teeth are also easier to keep clean.
How does Orthodontics work?
As you are growing, your jaw is growing too. Your teeth can move through the bone in your jaw so the orthodontist can shuffle your teeth around, using a brace and making them nice and straight.
Do Braces hurt?
The good news is that Orthodontics is rarely painful. You will probably experience some discomfort for about 24 hours after having the braces fitted, and after each fixed adjustment. This discomfort is a little bit like a headache and can usually be fixed by simply taking a painkiller.
Can I choose the colours on my braces?
You are most certainly able to choose the colours of the ‘modules’ which you might have seen on your friends’ braces. There is a wide range of colours to choose from.
Can I choose what sort of braces I will have?
It depends on whether you are a Private Patient, a Low-Cost Private Patient, or an NHS Patient! As a Private patient, you are able to choose from a range of different types of braces. Our Low-Cost Patients have a choice of two types of braces. Under the NHS, you are able to have only the fixed metal braces.
Am I able to have after-school appointments?
Yes, if you are a Private Patient, you can choose appointments at any time of the day. Our Low-Cost Patients and are able to have appointments that fall between 9am and 3pm. We also see NHS patients between the hours of 9am and 3pm.
Can I eat any foods?
When wearing fixed braces, some foods that we eat are harmful to your brace and are bound to cause breakages. Toffees, boiled sweets, mints and hard crusty bread etc. will force the brace away from the teeth or damage/distort the wires. They will also stick around the brace and teeth and cause decay leaving permanent marks or cavities. Hard fruits or vegetables such as apples or raw carrots can be eaten but must be cut into bite sized pieces first.
Will I have to have teeth removed?
If you have overcrowding, you may need to have some small teeth removed in order to create enough space for the teeth to be moved into a perfect arch. However, the Orthodontist will always remove teeth as a last resort. At the end of your treatment, you will be left with a lovely smile and no-one will know that you ever had teeth out!
What is IOTN?
Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need is a ranking assigned to each patient to determine the necessity for Orthodontic treatment.
Do you accept NHS patients
We do accept NHS patients. The patient must be under the age of 18 both to be assessed and to start NHS-funded treatment. Furthermore, to commence treatment as an NHS patient, the patient must have met the requisite NHS IOTN criteria (this will be assessed at the initial consultation).
What if I don't qualify for NHS funding?
If the patient does not meet the NHS IOTN criteria, it is still possible to have orthodontic treatment as a Low-Cost (for under 18’s) or Private patient.
Is there a difference between NHS and private treatment?
Yes, there are several differences between NHS and private treatment. Under the NHS, the choices of brace type and appointment times are very limited. Under Private treatment, there is a wide range of brace types available, and appointment times are flexible and include after-school appointments.
Can I have white brackets under NHS?
Metal braces are the only braces available under the NHS. Tooth-coloured braces are available on our Private and Low-Cost schemes.
How much does private or low-cost treatment cost?
Low-Cost treatment starts at £1500. Private treatment starts at £2600. We offer interest-free payment plans and are happy to tailor them to your needs.
Can I still play sport?
You can still play sport and do all of the things that you enjoy doing now! We recommend the use of gum shields, and we also recommend that abstain from participating in direct contact sports, such as kickboxing etc.
How important is it to keep my teeth clean when I'm wearing braces?
It is essential to maintain excellent oral hygiene when you are wearing braces. You may find that it is a little more difficult to brush and floss, but we will give you instructions on how to brush with your braces!
What are elastics?
Elastics are small elastic bands that some patients need to wear to correct the position of the jaw. Not everyone needs elastics, but they are easy to wear.
What happens if my braces break?
It is unlikely that your braces will break if you are following the instructions of the Orthodontist. However, you may find that occasionally, something might break. Depending on what has broken, we will book you in to have it fixed, although sometimes it is fine to wait until your next fixed adjustment appointment to have it repaired.
What are retainers?
Retainers are appliances which are essential as they help to keep the teeth straight when the braces are taken off. Teeth move all through life, and wearing retainers can limit the movement, keeping the teeth straight. Retainers can be fixed (a thin wire glued to the back of your teeth where they are invisible) or removable (clear plastic trays that fit snugly over your teeth and are almost invisible).