At Cavehill Dental Care, we offer orthodontic treatment as part of our comprehensive range of treatment options. This is a way of straightening the teeth by wearing braces (removable or fixed).
The main reasons for having orthodontic treatment are:
- To improve the appearance of the teeth and face.
- To improve the health of the teeth and gums.
- To improve function i.e. to make it easier to eat.
We offer treatment using several sorts of appliances (braces) in order to achieve the best result possible for you.
The appliance options available include:
- Removable appliance - a plastic plate that can be taken out to be cleaned. It has delicate wires and springs attached, which move the teeth using gentle pressure.
- Fixed appliance - Often teeth need to be guided more accurately than they can be using a removable plate. Fixed appliances are brackets and bands temporarily stuck to the teeth. A flexible wire joins all the brackets and allows the teeth to be moved. It is not possible for you to take the appliance out and so it is called a fixed appliance. They can be made of metal, plastic or from tooth coloured ceramic.
- Invisible Braces – We also offer state of the art ‘invisible braces.’ These are tough, clear, plastic ‘positioners’ that are used to gradually straighten your teeth. Several sets of specially moulded positioners are made. Each set moves the teeth slightly from the previous position and is worn for about two weeks before being replaced with the next set. Each set is straighter than the last and the final set will be your desired result. The positioners are made from clear plastic so they are nearly invisible. This means that no one need know you are straightening your teeth. The positioner should be worn for 22-23 hours per day for optimum results. They can be easily removed for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Treatment can last several months to several years.
