What does an orthodontist do?

Most people think about orthodontists putting braces on teeth to give straight teeth and wide smiles. Braces can be fixed onto the teeth (often known as train tracks) or removable. But actually the orthodontist looks at the development of the adult teeth, and the way the face grows. You may see the orthodontist for a number of times before they think you are ready to start some treatment.

Achieving healthy smiles is a team effort that involves the orthodontist, the family dentist, the patient, and as needed, other specialists.  The orthodontist provides the expertise, the treatment plan, and the techniques to straighten teeth and align the jaws.  The family dentist helps make sure that teeth and gums stay clean and healthy. It is vital that patients see their family dentist for regular check ups during orthodontic treatment as well as coming to have their braces adjusted.

Duration of treatment

Orthodontic treatment is not quick and requires a commitment from each patient! Most people have their braces on for at least 18-24 months and need follow up for their retainer braces, fitted after the treatment has been completed, for a year. However all cases are different and if you start with a removable brace before going on to fixed braces your treatment may be much longer.
 
The braces need to be adjusted, on average, every 6 – 10 weeks throughout the treatment. Your treatment will be carried out by one main orthodontist at one site, although you may also meet other members of the team.

Please click on the following links for more information:

• removable braces, including functional braces
• fixed braces
• surgery for impacted teeth 
• surgery for facial disproportion
• retainers

Removable braces, including functional braces
Removable braces can be used to correct certain types of problem bite, but are often used in conjunction with fixed braces. One particular type of removable brace is called a functional brace and helps to reduce the prominence of upper teeth and improve the way the teeth meet together.

Although removable braces can be taken out, they only work to correct your teeth when they are in place! This means they need to be worn as much as possible to get the best result in the fastest time. Your orthodontist will advise you how much they would like you to wear the brance, but generally we only ask you to remove them for eating, sports activities and whilst cleaning your teeth.

Fixed braces
Fixed metal blocks are commonly known as train tracks and can be brightened up with colours at each appointment you attend. These braces are used to correct most bites and should not be removed by the patient.
 
It is very important that these braces are looked after well and that teeth are cleaned efficiently to stop any gum problems or dental decay during treatment. Your orthodontist will discuss in detail the ways to look after your brace, the foods you must avoid to stop marks appearing and the importance of regular appointments.

Surgery for braces and impacted teeth
Sometimes teeth do not behave as expected and become stuck in the bone above the gum, known as impacted teeth This usually means an operation is needed to either attach a thin gold chain to pull the tooth into the mouth, or remove a small section of gum to make the tooth visible and be pulled into the right place with a brace.

In Buckinghamshire Healthcare, we specialise in offering this multi-specialty treatment. This is why many orthodontists who work on the high street refer their patients to us for this kind of surgery. You will be assessed by an orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon for treatment. Operations to treat the impacted tooth can be offered in Wycombe Hospital or Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Brace treatment is offered at Amersham or Stoke Mandeville hospitals.

Surgery and braces for facial disproportion
Sometimes an assessment reveals that braces alone are not enough to correct a bite and a patient is told they need a combination of fixed braces and an operation to change the way their jaws meet. This is called orthognathic treatment.

At Buckinghamshire Healthcare, we specialise in offering this multi-specialty treatment. This is why many orthodontists who work on the high street refer their patients to us for this kind of surgery.

Patients requiring this type of treatment are fully assessed on our joint clinics with the orthodontist and maxillofacial surgeon before commencing brace treatment. Brace treatment can be offered at either Amersham or Stoke Mandeville hospitals, but the jaw surgery will be carried out by our surgeons at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Retainers
When braces have corrected a bite they can be removed, but if left alone, research shows that the teeth start to move back towards their original position.
 
Orthodontists always fit a retainer brace to minimise the amount of change in the tooth position seen. There are removable retainers and fixed retainers. Your orthodontist will discuss with you the options best available for your condition before removing your braces.  

Please use the links below to find out more information:

• appointments
• outpatient clinics
• meet the team
• useful web links.