Orthodontics

“Discreet” lingual braces

Braces are fitted on the inside of the teeth to straighten them. Because the brackets sit on the inside, they aren’t visible from the front.

Risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease

Overlapping teeth are hard for a toothbrush to reach, leaving blind spots. Floss struggles to get between them too, so plaque builds up in the gaps — left as it is, this raises the risk of tooth decay and periodontal disease.

Effects on your bite

Crooked teeth can stop your bite from meeting correctly, concentrating the load on particular teeth. When chewing force isn’t spread evenly, some teeth can wear down or chip early, and the strain on the jaw joint can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder.

Effects on speech

Depending on how the teeth are aligned, certain sounds can come out unclear — fricatives and plosives are especially prone to this — and some patients become reluctant to speak in front of others as a result.

The strain on digestion

Swallowing food without chewing it properly puts extra strain on the stomach and intestines. Chewing is the first step of digestion, so a poor bite affects more than the mouth — it affects your overall health.

Labial braces

・Metal braces
Metal brackets are fitted to the surface of the upper and lower teeth, and this method can treat a wide range of bite problems. Depending on the case, treatment can sometimes be completed in a shorter time.
・Tooth-coloured braces
Brackets are fitted to the surface of the teeth.
Because the brackets are a less noticeable colour, they are more discreet. They apply the same force as metal braces.

Lingual braces

Brackets are fitted to the inside of the upper and lower teeth.
Not only are they discreet, but people are unlikely to notice you’re having treatment at all. Treatment takes a little longer than with labial braces.
Some patients also find eating and speaking a little less comfortable.

Invisalign

Invisalign treats your teeth with clear plastic aligners, so it’s discreet.
You wear each aligner for at least 20 hours a day and change to a new one yourself every 7 to 14 days, gradually moving the teeth into place.

Wearing a retainer

After orthodontic treatment finishes, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new position. Teeth that have just been moved tend to drift back, so you’ll usually need to wear it for longer hours in the first few months before moving to wearing it only at night. Neglect the retainer, and teeth you’ve straightened can relapse.

Regular check-ups

During the retention period, please keep coming in for regular check-ups so we can confirm the position of your teeth and check for any signs of relapse. We’ll also check for tooth decay and periodontal disease, and carry out maintenance to keep your teeth in place for the long term.

Brushing correctly

Plaque tends to build up around braces, so brushing carefully and using floss helps prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. We’ll show you a brushing method suited to your type of brace and the condition of your mouth.