Visiting our orthodontist in Bournemouth
Orthodontics is a specialised field of dentistry that focuses on addressing the diagnosis, prevention and correction of teeth and jaws that are misaligned. Misaligned teeth can lead to multiple dental issues, such as tooth decay or difficulty in chewing food, thus harming your overall well-being. Fortunately, here at Dorset Orthodontics, we offer a range of treatments to straighten teeth or jaws to make them appear more cohesive and make simple daily tasks such as biting and chewing less difficult for you. If you are experiencing problems due to the alignment of your teeth or jaw, contact our orthodontist in Bournemouth for a consultation to begin your journey of achieving straighter teeth.
Getting braces
Our orthodontist in Bournemouth will be highly trained to use permanent and removable dental devices such as braces and aligners to change the position of your teeth, making them appear more cohesive and treating any dental abnormalities you may be experiencing such as crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, crowded or gapped teeth and bite problems. The main goal of our orthodontist in Bournemouth will be to improve your bite by aligning your teeth with their opposing teeth in the jaw; in doing so, this will ensure that you will be able to eat and chew properly without experiencing any pain or discomfort. Braces, whether they are traditional metal braces or invisible, removable aligners, are now becoming an increasingly popular treatment among both teenagers and adults who have delayed getting their teeth straightened.
What type of braces can I get?
There are many forms of braces you can get based on your own personal preference. The most common types of braces are traditional metal braces and clear aligners.
Traditional braces are made of stainless steel bands, brackets, and wires; they work by applying pressure on your teeth to gently shift them into place over time. Metal braces are most commonly seen amongst children and teenagers and are glued onto the teeth so they cannot be removed until the treatment is complete. The application process involves the orthodontist bonding a bracket on each tooth and then placing a thin, flexible wire over the brackets. Small bands made of elastic are then placed on to keep the wire firmly in place. The treatment usually takes around one year to complete, with some cases taking longer, depending on the severity of the malocclusion.
Clear aligners have become increasingly popular in recent years as they provide a more subtle look while working the same way traditional metal braces do. Clear aligners are suitable for adults who have delayed getting braces and do not want them to look so obvious and for those working in professional settings. Our orthodontist can create a series of custom-made aligners for you to use over time to straighten your teeth. Each aligner must be worn for approximately two to eight weeks at a time until it is time to wear the next one in the series. The aligners are removable and should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day but can be removed before eating or brushing.