Smile and aesthetics
Orthodontic Treatment
The way your teeth line up affects more than how they look: it also affects how easy they are to clean and how your bite works. We plan and carry out orthodontic treatment together with our specialist orthodontist team, and before anything starts we talk openly about the options, the likely timescale and what the treatment will ask of you.
- Team
- Together with our specialist orthodontist team
- Options
- Clear aligners, or metal or ceramic braces
- Length
- Usually a few months to about 2 years; varies by case
- Afterwards
- Retainers for the long term
What is it?
Orthodontics is the part of dentistry that improves how the teeth and jaws line up. Teeth move slowly when gentle, steady pressure is applied to them over time. The most common reasons people come to us are crowding, gaps, a crossbite, an open bite, a deep bite and front teeth that stick out (protrusion). Sometimes the concern is mainly about appearance. Sometimes the position of the teeth also makes them harder to clean, causes uneven wear or puts strain on the bite.
Orthodontic treatment is not only for teenagers. Adults can have it too, as long as their teeth and gums are healthy. In adults we look at the gums first: if there is gum disease, it needs to be brought under control with gum treatment before any teeth are moved. In children and teenagers the jaws are still growing, so the timing of treatment also needs thought.
There are two main options. Clear aligners are a series of thin, transparent trays made for your teeth, each one moving them a small step further. With fixed braces, metal or tooth-coloured ceramic brackets are bonded to the teeth and a wire attached to them guides the movement. We talk through which option suits you once we have examined you and taken records.
When can it be considered?
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- Gaps between the teeth
- A crossbite, where upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth
- An open bite, where the front teeth do not meet when you close
- A deep bite, where the upper front teeth cover too much of the lower ones
- Front teeth that stick out (protrusion)
- Repositioning teeth before smile design, veneers or an implant
Examination and planning
We plan and carry out orthodontic treatment together with our specialist orthodontist team. At the first appointment we listen to what bothers you and what you would like to achieve. Your teeth, gums and bite are then examined. Any decay or gum problems are dealt with first, and the X-rays needed for planning are arranged.
Digital records are taken next: photographs of your face and teeth, and a scan of your teeth with an intraoral scanner. If aligners are being considered, the scan is used to prepare a 3D simulation showing how the teeth are expected to move, step by step. The simulation is a guide rather than a promise. Teeth do not all respond in exactly the same way, so the plan may be adjusted along the way.
Choosing between aligners and fixed braces depends on the type and difficulty of the movements needed, whether wearing aligners for most of the day fits your routine, and how you feel about the look of each. Some complex movements are more predictable with fixed braces. We explain the options, the expected timescale and how often you will need to come in, and we make the decision together.
If you are thinking about smile design or porcelain veneers, straightening the teeth first can sometimes mean less tooth needs to be prepared. That is why we look at the order of treatments right at the start of planning.
How the process works
Consultation and examination
We talk about what you would like to change and assess your teeth, gums and bite.
Digital records
Photographs, an intraoral scan and any X-rays needed record the starting point.
Plan and decision
We go through the plan, the options and the expected timescale, and decide together.
Starting treatment
Your aligners are fitted or your braces are bonded, and we show you how to wear and clean them.
Regular reviews
Progress is checked at set intervals: braces are adjusted, or you move on to new aligners.
Retention
Once treatment ends, a fixed or removable retainer keeps the teeth in their new position.
Digital tools that may be used
- Intraoral scan
- A 3D digital model of your teeth is captured without impression trays. For aligner treatment, the 3D simulation is prepared from this scan.
- Digital photographs
- Photographs of your face and teeth record the starting point and help us compare progress during treatment.
- Digital X-rays
- Taken when needed to check the roots, the supporting bone and any teeth that have not come through.
Aftercare
Recommended
- Wear aligners as advised, usually around 20–22 hours a day
- Brush after meals and clean around the brackets and between the teeth with interdental brushes
- Brush your teeth before putting aligners back in, and keep the aligners clean too
- Choose softer foods for the first few days after braces are fitted or adjusted, or after starting a new aligner
- Keep your review appointments
- Wear your retainer as advised once treatment has finished
Best avoided
- Eating or drinking anything other than water with aligners in
- Hard or sticky foods with fixed braces, such as boiled sweets, chewing gum, nuts and ice
- Sipping sugary or acidic drinks throughout the day
- Waiting until your next review with a broken bracket or a wire that is digging in
- Stopping wearing your retainer without talking to us first
Whether a treatment suits you can only be decided after an examination. Timelines and stages vary from person to person.
Frequently asked questions
Can adults have orthodontic treatment?
Yes. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, there is no particular age limit. In adults we check the gums first, and if needed, gum treatment is carried out before orthodontic treatment begins.
Clear aligners or fixed braces?
It depends on the movements your teeth need and on your daily routine. Aligners are removable and less noticeable, but they need to be worn for around 20–22 hours a day. Fixed braces stay in all the time, so they do not rely on you putting them in, and they can be better suited to some complex movements. We make the choice with you after an assessment with our specialist orthodontist team.
How long does treatment take?
It varies from person to person. Mild crowding can sometimes be corrected in a few months; most treatment takes between one and two years, and more complex cases can take longer. Wearing aligners as advised and keeping your appointments make a real difference. We can give you an estimate once we have examined you and taken records.
Will my teeth hurt during treatment?
For a few days after braces are fitted or adjusted, or after you start a new aligner, it is normal for your teeth to feel pressure and some tenderness. This usually eases within a few days, and softer foods help in the meantime. If the soreness lasts or a wire is digging in, just let us know.
How often will I need to come in?
With fixed braces, reviews are usually every 4–8 weeks. With aligners, the interval depends on the plan and is often similar or a little longer. At each visit we check that the teeth are moving as planned.
Will my teeth move back after treatment?
Teeth tend to drift back towards their old position after treatment, and they also shift a little with age. That is why a retainer is fitted at the end: either a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth or a removable clear retainer. We recommend wearing retainers for the long term, often for many years.
Do I need orthodontics before veneers or smile design?
Not always. But if the teeth are crowded or tilted, straightening them first often means less tooth needs to be prepared. We look at this option at the start of planning.
Related treatments
All treatments- incisors, caninesSmile DesignA planning process that looks at tooth colour, shape and proportions together with the face and lips, using photographs, an intraoral scan and a trial smile.
- incisors, canines, premolarsPorcelain VeneersThin ceramic shells bonded to the visible surface of front teeth, considered for colour, shape and small gaps.
- incisors, canines, premolars, molarsGum TreatmentStep-by-step care for inflamed gums and gum disease, from scaling and polishing to subgingival scaling and root planing, a deep clean of the root surfaces.
Questions about orthodontic treatment?
You can send your questions on WhatsApp or reach the practice by phone.