Orthodontics

Will I need extractions?

Extractions are needed when there isn’t enough space to straighten the teeth and correct the bite. The extractions are usually carried out by your dentist.

How long will treatment take?

Every patient is different so it is very difficult to give an approximate timescale.

Your orthodontist may be able to give you an approximate duration of treatment.

Is brace treatment painful?

Soon after the brace is fitted, patients often say that their teeth feel “tight”.

For the first few days the teeth may feel sore and tender. Don’t worry – nothing bad is happening, the teeth are just starting to move and it is normal for them to feel like this.

Painkillers can help reduce the discomfort. Within a few days the pain should be going away.

The brace can also sometimes feel like it is rubbing the lips and cheeks at the start of treatment. Your orthodontist will give you some wax which you can place on the brace to make it more comfortable.

What do I do if my brace breaks or if I lose my brace?

Contact the department to arrange an appointment.

Please don’t wait until your next appointment, unless it is within a few days time. We have special appointment slots reserved for patients who have problems with their brace.

Please note that the appointment may be with one of the other orthodontists in the department.

I play a wind instrument – would brace treatment affect my playing?

Generally, a brace instrument should not affect your ability to play a wind instrument.

The British Orthodontic Society offers advice for musicians wearing removable or fixed braces; please click on the link below:

• Advice for musicians

Will brace treatment interfere with playing sports?

A mouthguard must always be worn when you are playing contact sports.

If you have a removable brace, it can be taken off for contact sports – remember to place it in the protective container.

If you have a fixed brace, you should wear a mouthguard. The British Orthodontic Society website offers advice on mouthguards – please click on the link below to learn more:

• Mouthguards for contact sport

How often will I need an appointment?

You need to be seen regularly usually every four to eight weeks to check the progress of your treatment.

If you don’t attend appointments or repeatedly cancel your appointments then your treatment will take much longer than expected.

Do I still need to see my dentist for check-ups?

Yes; it is very important to continue to see your dentist for regular check-ups throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Do I need to wear retainers after my brace is removed?

Yes; it is very important you wear retainers. If you don’t wear retainers your teeth will try to return to their original position. Your orthodontist will be able to advise you how often and for how long you need to wear retainers.

I have lost/broken my retainer – what should I do?

If you had your brace removed recently (within a year), please contact the department to arrange an appointment.

It is department policy that if a patient repeatedly loses or breaks their retainer then there may be a charge for its replacement.

If you have been discharged from the department (normally a year after the braces have been removed) then please contact your dentist about having a replacement retainer.

Your dentist is likely to charge you to make new retainers for you. If you want to be seen within the department again then your dentist will need to re-refer you to the department.