What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the field of dentistry that involves correcting the position of teeth that maybe overcrowded or otherwise malpositioned.

Orthodontics can be either removable or fixed. Here at Eltham Dental, we offer both options:

  • Inman Aligner: This is our rapid removable option and is used to treat the front 8-10 teeth in as little as 4 weeks. It only needs to worn 16 hours a day meaning that it can be removed for most of a working day or for a special occasion. You can find out more about Inman Aligner here.
  • Smilelign: This is our removable option that can deal with slightly more complex cases than the Inman Aligner, similar to Invisalign.
  • Quick Straight Teeth: This is our fixed brace option in a white ceramic design as standard. This can treat more complex cases in as little as 120 days. From less than £1.50/day!

Why Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a field that provides excellent treatment for people with irregularities in the positioning of their teeth. It can help people with teeth that are not straight or too crowded, or those whose teeth don’t meet correctly when they bit down. These days, adult orthodontics is getting massively popular as a way of cosmetically improving a smile while avoiding many of the downsides associated with crowns and veneers.

We are also more commonly seeing cases these days where orthodontic treatment provided during teenage years is relapsing and teeth are becoming progressively more crowded again. This is due to one simple reason: people were not advised to have retainers for life. It is accepted now that having straight teeth for life needs lifetime retention via simple techniques that are invisible.

There are more than just aesthetic reasons for getting orthodontic treatment. Teeth that are misaligned can cause severe difficulty maintaining proper oral hygiene impacting gum health. Orthodontics has been the method through which teeth and jaw irregularities have been treated for years. The comfort level of braces has improved during that time and the technology used has advanced.

The Benefits of Orthodontics

Orthodontics provide a range of benefits for both children and adults. They help to straighten out teeth that have come in crookedly and can deal with crowded teeth too. Orthodontics are also good for correcting jaw problems, which might include an overbite or underbite. Orthodontic treatment can even help to treat problems such as speech issues if someone’s front teeth don’t meet together. Straightening teeth not only assists with improving oral health, but it can also boost self-image. The retention stage of treatment helps to keep the teeth in place and cement the work that has been done.

Orthodontics Alternatives

Orthodontics doesn’t necessarily solve all the problems that someone might want to address. While it can straighten teeth, it might leave a few issues that orthodontics can’t address. For example, it might leave small gaps between the teeth. For tooth restoration, there are alternatives that some people might prefer. For example, Bioclear can help to repair teeth efficiently. It’s a cheaper and quicker option, and often only requires a single session to complete. After someone has had orthodontic treatment, it’s a great option to finish off the aesthetic side of straightening teeth. It can fill in gaps using an injection moulding technique, Orthodontics can’t address undersized teeth, whereas Bioclear treatment can. More traditional options also exist, such as crowns and veneers. These can achieve excellent results, however, they often require a lifetime commitment to them and also normally involve the removal of healthy tooth structure.

Orthodontics is an excellent option for treating tooth and jaw problems in both children and adults. However, it’s also important to explore other choices that are available.