Straight teeth with the latest orthodontic technology.
Orthodontics corrects crowding, spacing, protrusion and bite problems by moving teeth gradually into their correct positions. The aim is not appearance alone: a correct bite spreads chewing forces evenly, reduces wear, and makes cleaning easier — crowded teeth are harder to clean and therefore more prone to decay and gum inflammation.
Planning starts with an examination, imaging, photographs and impressions, from which a plan is built setting out the problem, the movement required and the expected duration before anything is fitted.
Options include conventional metal braces, ceramic braces in a shade close to the tooth, and removable clear aligners — a series of trays changed at intervals. Not every case suits every option: clear aligners work very well for many presentations and less well for certain movements, and the examination is what determines this.
When active treatment ends, retention begins. It is part of the treatment, not an optional extra: teeth tend to drift back toward their old positions, and the retainer is what prevents it. Neglecting it after two years of treatment is the most common reason crowding returns.
Orthodontics is not only for children and teenagers. Adult treatment is common today, and bone responds to movement at any age provided the gums and bone are healthy.
Common questions
About Orthodontics
- How long does orthodontic treatment take?
- Typically anywhere from about six months to two and a half years. The range is wide because it depends on how much movement is needed: mild crowding of the front teeth can finish in months, while correcting a full bite takes longer. Keeping review appointments and following instructions — especially with clear aligners, which depend on being worn enough hours a day — has a direct effect on the timeline. Duration is estimated after examination and imaging.
- Do braces hurt?
- Fitting them is not painful. What you feel is pressure and mild aching for two to three days after fitting and after each adjustment — a normal sign that teeth are moving, eased with a simple painkiller and softer food during those days. Metal braces can rub against the cheek in the first week; orthodontic wax handles that until the tissue adapts.
- Is there a clear, less visible option?
- Yes, in two forms: ceramic braces, which are fixed but in a shade close to the tooth and so less visible than metal, and removable clear aligners — a series of transparent trays changed at intervals, which can be taken out to eat and clean. Aligners suit many cases but not every movement, and their success depends on being worn enough hours a day. The examination determines which option will actually achieve the result for your case.
- I am an adult — is it too late for braces?
- No. Adult treatment is very common today, and bone responds to tooth movement at any age. The condition is not age but the health of the gums and supporting bone: any gum inflammation or bone loss is treated first. Treatment may take somewhat longer than in teenagers, and less visible options that suit working life are often chosen.
- Will my teeth move back after treatment?
- They tend to, yes — if a retainer is not used. That is the nature of the tissues around teeth after they have been moved, which is why retention is part of the treatment rather than an optional extra. A fixed retainer is bonded behind the teeth, or a removable one is given to wear on a schedule the dentist sets, tapering over time. Neglecting the retainer after two years of treatment is the most common reason crowding returns.
- How much do braces cost?
- Cost depends on the type of appliance (metal, ceramic, aligners), how complex the case is and how long it will take, and whether anything is needed beforehand. The price is therefore set after examination and imaging, because an estimate made before the required movement is known is not a reliable number. Contact us to book an assessment and you will have a clear plan, timeline and cost before anything is fitted.