Orthodontics

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry which deals with straightening the teeth and jaw alignment, using either a fixed or removable brace (technically referred to as an appliance). Orthodontic treatment corrects alignment for crowded and bunched teeth, gaps, protruding teeth and misaligned bite patterns, using a variety of braces and orthodontic appliances.

At Imogen Dental, we offer many types of orthodontic braces for adults and children, including clear removable aligners and fixed adult braces. From Invisalign to FastBraces, we offer orthodontic treatment to meet your dental requirements and a solution to suit almost all smiles.

You should see an orthodontist any time you have questions or concerns about the alignment of your teeth, the quality of your bite, or if there are changes in your mouth or jaw. Sometimes, orthodontic problems are painfully obvious.

You may have difficulty biting, chewing or speaking, or some of your teeth may be clearly protruding, crowded or misplaced. If that’s the case, then it’s time to make an appointment with one of our dental surgeries in Benson or Kingsclere.

Other conditions may not be as apparent and are often overlooked. Symptoms such as mouth breathing, clenching or grinding your teeth, and the inability to comfortably close your lips, may all be signs that orthodontic treatment is needed. If your jaws seem to frequently shift in position, make sounds as they move, or you find that you’re unintentionally biting your cheek or the roof of your mouth, it is likely that you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment. Teeth that meet abnormally can even cause a facial imbalance (asymmetry), meaning that some facial features aren’t in proportion with others. This is a problem that can usually be corrected by orthodontic treatment.

People of all ages benefit from orthodontic treatment. Beginning with children whose milk teeth have appeared but who have yet to develop permanent teeth, through children who have problems in the eruption of new permanent teeth, to adults who have an incorrect bite – overbite, underbite or crossbite. It can also be used for people who have crooked teeth, skeletal deformities of misaligned jaws, or if jaws need to be stimulated for bone remodelling.

Our specialist orthodontists at Imogen Dental will carry out a full examination which will include dental X-rays. Following this they will be able to assess your condition and advise what extent of treatment is required to correct the alignment of your teeth and the treatment options and costs.

There are several different types of brace systems and this will be explained to you at your consultation appointment, but briefly, they include:

Removable appliances are made of delicate wires and springs, which move the teeth using gentle pressure and may be taken out of the mouth for cleaning.

Fixed appliances have brackets and bands which are temporarily fixed to the teeth. A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved. Fixed appliances are designed to remain in position until treatment is complete.

Clear aligners are tough, clear plastic moulds which are almost invisible. Several sets of specially moulded, slightly different aligners are made for each patient. Each set is worn for two weeks before being replaced with the next one. Because they are invisible no one needs to know you are straightening your teeth.

At Imogen Dental we offer a full range of Orthodontic braces including;

• Invisalign Clear Aligners
• Fast Braces
• ClearCorrect
• Rx Aligners

details of each orthodontic treatment can be found by clicking on the links above or on the menu to the left.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each orthodontic system, and selecting the right treatment for you depends on your personal circumstances and your main treatment goals.

Clear Aligners

Aligners are virtually invisible and can offer a great solution for uncomplicated tooth movements such as mild crowding of the teeth. They are removable and in most cases, more comfortable than fixed braces, taking less time to adjust to the use of them. However, aligners rely greatly on compliance and willpower. If they are not worn full-time, they will not produce the desired tooth movement. This means that you may end up needing additional aligners at extra costs, prolonging the treatment time. Aligners are also restricted in the amount and variety of tooth movements possible, therefore, can be unsuitable for some patients’ orthodontic problems or may only be able to provide a compromised result. As a result, aligner therapy is suited mostly to the simplest of cases.

Fixed Braces

Fixed braces offer much greater versatility and can be used to correct significantly more orthodontic problems in a much more predictable way. This means many more people are candidates for fixed braces. Although they can take more time to adapt to initially, they rely much less on compliance and in the great majority of cases, after an initial adaptation period, have minimal effect on daily life. For some people not being able to remove their braces is an advantage and as they are working all the time, treatment times can be much shorter than in equivalent aligner cases. They are however more visible and more difficult to keep clean than aligners, which are removed for eating and hygiene. You will need to adapt your diet to avoid very hard, sticky foods and those which may cause temporary staining around brackets.

The cost of braces depends on the type of brace or aligners you have and your orthodontic needs. During your orthodontic consultation, our orthodontist will examine your smile and understand what you’re looking to achieve, to recommend suitable options. They’ll then go through a bespoke treatment plan, including a breakdown of the costs involved. you can also find information on this on our Fee Guide page.

If you’re considering braces and what to know more about your options and the prices and financing available, our team would be more than happy to help. We provide a range of exceptional brace options which cover both complex and minor requirements. After you have booked your consultation, we will ensure you receive exceptional patient care before, during and after you leave our clinic.