Orthodontics London

As we’ve said, braces aren’t restricted to any certain age group, and they can have fantastic results for both teens and adults. Ideally, braces will be fitted around 12 or 13 years of age. This is because a child’s mouth and jaw at this age is still growing, so it is easier to get results.

However, this doesn’t mean that braces won’t work for you if you’ve waited until you’re older – it just typically means that your treatment may take longer.

If you’ve chosen your orthodontist in London and have made the decision to get braces – you may be wondering how long your treatment will last, and how often you need to visit the dentist’s chair.

Generally speaking, your first dental appointment will be the longest and this is when your braces will be fitted. From here you usually come back every 4-10 weeks for your braces to be tightened, although the exact time between appointments will differ depending on your specific case.

The total amount of sessions you will need is very personal to you and depends on how much correction is required. Usually, braces take between 16-18 months to change your smile, and during this time you will be seeing your dentist on average once every 6 weeks.

If you opt for Invisalign – the amounts of sessions you need is dramatically reduced as you are provided with all the aligners you need so you can continue your treatment at home.

Dental hygiene is of paramount importance, and this is just as crucial when undergoing orthodontic care. Of course, the type of treatment you’re having will determine how easy it is to keep up a good oral care regime, but at our orthodontists in London, we always provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to maintain a clean and healthy mouth during treatment.

Invisalign for example is extremely easy to clean, and looking after your mouth is just as simple thanks to the fact you can easily remove the aligners when brushing and flossing.

We will give you thorough instructions on how to ensure your smile remains healthy and clean during your specific treatment when you visit us.

Once you’ve committed to months of orthodontic treatment, you want to know that your new smile will continue to look the part, so there are a few pointers you should follow once your braces are off.

Dos include:

• Continue to maintain a good dental hygiene routine, regularly brushing and flossing
• Continue to see your dentist regularly for check-ups
• Wear your retainer every night (if applicable) to maintain the new position of your teeth

Don’ts include:

• Biting hard objects which could damage your teeth or the structure of your bite
• Neglect routine appointments

Your dentist will be able to advise you thoroughly during your appointment to have your braces removed on the best ways to maintain your new smile.

In some cases, we may need to extract one or more teeth in order to make sure there’s enough to remove for your teeth to move into the desired position. However, it is important to note that this is only the case where severe overcrowding is present, we only remove teeth if absolutely necessary, and will try to avoid this wherever possible.

There is no universal time frame for braces, as the time treatment takes will really depend on how much movement is required. Typically, though, it can take up to 18 months for your teeth to reach their final position, but some systems work quicker than others. Your dentist will be able to discuss the best options available to you during your consultation.