 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Children's Orthodontics in Leeds
Why should I have braces? There are many possible benefits from wearing braces. An attractive smile can help to boost your self-confidence throughout your life. There are also health benefits, as straight teeth are easier to keep clean. In addition, research has shown that children who have teeth that stick out are at a higher risk of damaging their teeth, for example when playing contact sports. What is the best age to start treatment? Orthodontic treatment can be started at almost any age. We sometimes carry out interceptive treatment on children as young as 7 or 8 years. However, most treatment starts on older children aged 10 to 14 when all the milk teeth have been lost and the jaws are still growing. We also routinely provide treatment for many adult patients of any age. How does orthodontic treatment work? Fixed braces accurately guide your teeth through the bone in your jaws with gentle forces so that at the end of treatment your teeth are straight and you have a new fabulous smile. Some braces can also widen your jaw to correct cross-bites and others, called functional appliances, can even guide the way your jaw grows. How long does treatment take? This will depend on the complexity of the treatment required. On average, treatment will take approximately 15-18 months. Some treatment may take as little as 9 months, more complex cases can last for two and a half years or more. Treatment will take longer if the brace is broken frequently or appointments are missed. Do braces hurt? When braces are first fitted you may experience some discomfort for 3-7 days as the teeth start to move. This is relieved by normal painkillers. Braces can also rub the lips and cheeks until the skin hardens (which may take few weeks). We will provide you with clear wax which you can apply to the brace to relieve irritation. It is also quite normal for the teeth to feel slightly loose during treatment as they change positions. After each adjustment some discomfort may be experienced for one or two days. Which foods should I avoid? You should cut out sugary snacks between meals, such as sweets, biscuits and cakes. Fruit juices and fizzy drinks are particularly damaging and may leave permanent scars on your teeth. Try to drink still water or milk between meals as much as possible. Hard, crunchy and sticky foods, such as toffees, chewing gum, crusty bread, pizza crusts and nuts can break the brace blocks off the teeth. Frequent breakages will make your treatment take longer and cause the inconvenience of extra visits to us for repairs. Apples and raw carrots also need to be eaten with care. They should be cut up into slices and eaten on the back teeth. Will I need to have teeth removed? We will never ask for teeth to be removed unless absolutely necessary and in your best long-term interests. Sometimes teeth have to be removed in order relieve crowding. But, with modern techniques many patients can be treated without extractions. How often do I need to have my brace adjusted? Most braces need to be adjusted every 6-10 weeks. Can I still play Rugby/Hockey etc if I have braces? Yes. You can still play all contact sports but please wear an orthodontic mouth guard. Can I still play wind instruments during orthodontic treatment? Removable braces can be taken out when playing wind or brass instruments. If you have fixed braces then your playing may be affected for a short time. With practice, most people are able to play as well as they were playing before braces. Brass and double- reed woodwind players may, at first, need to wear some strips of wax over the front teeth to stop the lips becoming sore. Talk to your music teacher – most will have had experience of pupils wearing braces. Will my teeth stay straight after treatment? At the end of treatment, your teeth will have been moved from their natural crowded or irregular position to a man-made straight one. To keep the teeth in their new positions, you will be fitted with retainers (removable clear plastic appliances). It is very important to wear the retainers as instructed to keep your smile looking good. Teeth continue to move throughout life even if you have not had orthodontic treatment, but by wearing your retainers you can maintain your new great smile! |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © Ortho Solutions. All rights reserved. sitemap | Dental Marketing & Dentist Websites by Dental Focus Web Design. |
|
