Orthodontics

Orthodontics

About Orthodontics

Orthodontics (from Greek orthos "straight or proper" and odous "tooth"), is the science and art of straightening teeth and correcting disproportionate jaw relationships so that the teeth and soft tissues develop to their full functional and aesthetic potential and an uninhibited and attractive smile results. Nothing connects two people more than an attractive smile and an engaging smile can make first impressions, lasting impressions.

We are one of the oldest dental practices in Bristol, established in 1947. We use the very latest in braces technology to improve smiles. We plan treatments by keeping the patients in the for-front. The treatments are discussed in a simple, easy to understand manner, and with the help of illustrations and pictures. We make sure that all treatments are clearly understood by the patient.


Damon Bracket System

Traditionally braces have required elastic 'ties' to hold wires in the bracket slots. These 'ties' increase friction which leads to the generation of high forces to move teeth. Higher forces cause increased discomfort and hinder tooth movement and prolong the treatment time.

In contrast, Damon braces have done away with the need for these 'elastic ties' to hold wires in brackets as these advanced brackets incorporate an inbuilt slide mechanism which holds the wire in the brackets. Thus friction is greatly reduced and consequently the forces applied have reduced thereby reducing the discomfort associated with orthodontic treatment.

Another benefit of reduced friction is that treatment can be finished much more quickly as compared to traditional braces because the teeth move more easily as the friction is reduced. It is estimated that treatment times may reduce by about 30% as compared to conventional treatment. The Damon system also uses high-technology memory-shaped wires that minimize the need for uncomfortable periodic "tightening." With the damon system, the wires move freely within the brackets for fast and comfortable tooth movement.

The Damon CLEAR brackets are made of Ceramic and are transparent for excellent esthetics.

The Damon system uses light, continuous force wires with tieless brackets. The gentle pressure exerted and space gained by expansion of arches discourages the need for tooth extractions in the vast majority of cases. It is one of the most innovative system in Orthodontics and it's already been used to treat more than 3 million cases around the world.


Cosmetic Braces

Traditionally, braces have consisted of metal brackets and wires. However, some people, especially adults have feared the idea of "train tracks" and a "metal mouth" so much that they refuse to wear braces altogether, missing out on the possibility of a beautiful smile. It is for this reason, cosmetic brackets were invented.

Cosmetic braces are made of Ceramic which is a translucent glass like material known as Transparent polycrystalline alumina (TPA). It was originally identified by NASA and a company called Ceradyne in developing the technology for tracking heat seeking missiles. Ceradyne then partnered with Unitek/ 3M to develop cosmetic brackets made of TPA.

Ceramic braces are the cosmetic alternative to metal braces and far less noticeable than conventional metal braces. They are nearly invisible when viewed at normal distances, thus providing a more attractive and esthetic option for the wearer. Since ceramic is non-porous and 99.9 percent pure, these braces are extremely resistant to staining or discoloration and the brackets maintain their original appearance all the way through to the end of treatment.

As with traditional metal braces, small elastics are used to hold the arch wire onto the ceramic brackets. The small elastic ties are transparent but they may stain after a period of time particularly with curries, coffee and red wine. In such instances tooth colored ligatures are used to hold the wires in the brackets These do not stain.

Another development in ceramic brackets is self ligation i.e. a bracket design that does away the need for elastics to tie the archwire to the bracket (which increases friction). This new ceramic bracket has a built-in sliding door which fits over the arch wire. Since self-ligating braces do not need elastics (which can stain), they are more esthetic than conventional ceramic brackets. An excellent example of such a cosmetic bracket is the Damon Clear system. Self ligation also speeds up the treatment time.

In more esthetically demanding situations a special archwire can be used which is coated with a tooth colored polymer to conceal the metallic appearance of the archwire.

Advantages of Ceramic brackets :
Ceramic braces are the cosmetic choice for a majority of adults. Some people also feel that ceramic brackets are more comfortable than ceramic brackets and cause less irritation to the gums.

Disadvantages of Ceramic brackets :
Ceramic is abrasive to tooth enamel and also brittle. Because of these reasons ceramic brackets usually are only used on the upper teeth if the bite is "deep" on the front teeth. In such instances a special bracket is used for teeth in lower jaw which is half composite and half metal which prevents any abrasion of the upper teeth. However if the bite is "open" and there is no interference between upper and lower teeth, ceramic brackets may also be used for lower teeth. Ceramic brackets are also a more expensive option than metal brackets. In cases of severe orthodontic problems metal braces are preferable because of their higher strength than ceramic braces. Treatment can last a few months longer with ceramic braces.


Lingual braces



» What are Lingual Braces?

Lingual braces are braces that are fitted on the inner surfaces of teeth, where they cannot be seen.

» Why should I choose Lingual Braces?

They are recommended for patients who want to improve their smile but do not want to be seen in braces. They are completely hidden. They are particularly popular with actors, models, public speakers and anyone who doesn't want their braces to be seen. Lingual braces are every bit as effective as normal braces and the treatment times are generally about the same.

» What are the disadvantages?

It may take a little time to adjust to speaking with the lingual braces, but the tongue will soon adapt to having brackets on the backs of the teeth. As with all orthodontic systems, there will be some discomfort to be expected for the first 7-10 days.

» How long will the treatment take?

This will always differ from patient to patient; the majority of cases will take around 12-24 months but can take as little as 6 months in some cases.

» Can I eat properly?

You should be able to eat normally but it's advisable to avoid anything particularly chewy or hard, such as toffees, chewing gum and crusty bread. You should also avoid fizzy drinks.


Invisalign



» What is Invisalign?

Invisalign® is an invisible way to straighten teeth without the need for metal braces, utilising instead a series of clear, plastic "aligners" which slowly move teeth over time. It is an esthetic and comfortable way to straighten teeth and improve smiles.

» How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign works to correct your teeth through a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable plastic aligners.
After treatment planning and identifying treatment goals the radiographs, photographs and dental impressions of the patient's teeth are sent to the The Invisalign® laboratories with a prescription for treatment. The dental impressions are then scanned into a computer to make 3-D models of teeth and gums. An advanced computer software is then used by the technician to move the digital images of teeth according to the prescription from the dentist. The software then simulates this movement in stages, moving different teeth, slowly and at different times until the final result is achieved. The dentist can then check this simulation and make any changes to make sure that they are happy with the proposed correction before the personalised set of aligners are made.
The aligners are worn sequentially and each aligner moves teeth incrementally and is worn for about two weeks, then replaced by the next in the series until the final position is achieved and teeth are straightened and smile improved.

» What are the advantages of Invisalign?

The most obvious advantage of this treatment is cosmetic as the plastic aligners are completely transparent and fit snugly on the teeth making them almost undetectable. This makes the treatment particularly popular among adults who want to straighten their teeth and improve their smiles without the look of traditional metal braces, which are commonly worn by children and adolescents.
Another advantage of the system is that the aligners are removable so that one can eat, brush and floss the teeth with ease which allows maintenance of better oral hygiene than traditional braces.
A third advantage is that the aligners are more comfortable to wear because they lack of metal components associated with the traditional brace systems.

» What are the treatment time and costs of Invisalign?

Though majority of treatments with Invisalign take from 6 months to 2 years to complete, some more complex treatments may take longer and involve more expense than traditional braces because of the need to fabricate and larger number of plastic aligners. The cost may vary from £1800 upto £5000 depending upon the complexity of the treatment.

More Information: Invisalign

6 Month Orthodontics.



6 month orthodontics is the term given to short term orthodontic treatments that align the front teeth leading to a more esthetic and pleasing appearance.

This treatment requires highly specialized mechanics. The straightening of front teeth, closing gaps, aligning tilted and tipped teeth and vertical leveling of front teeth is prioritized and at Kings Road Orthodontic centre, we utilize a variety of systems to achieve the desired result. These are:

» Invisible brackets that are fitted to the underside of the teeth

» Clear positioners made of a plastic/ polycarbonate material, which are transparent and move teeth without being visible on the teeth

» Cosmetic brackets made of ceramic, which can be either completely transparent or translucent

» Specially designed aligners with small springs to straighten the teeth



The aim of 6 month orthodontics is to straighten front teeth in the shortest time possible resulting in a more attractive smile.