Should You Choose Permanent Dental Retainers? Benefits, Drawbacks, and What to Consider
Getting your braces off is a huge achievement but it’s not the end of your orthodontic journey. To keep your smile straight, you’ll need to wear a ...
Our in-house orthodontic team are here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Our gentle approach to braces helps to minimise discomfort during your orthodontic treatment.
Our Gentle Braces team are passionate about helping you achieve the perfect smile. Orthodontics is our sole focus; we are experts in teeth straightening and creating beautiful smiles.
We use state-of-the-art equipment and modern technology to improve patient comfort and minimise the need to remove teeth. As the cost of braces differs from patient to patient, we recommend booking an initial consultation to find the right braces for your budget.
01 Consultation
At your first visit our orthodontist team we'll listen to your concerns, take you through a thorough examination and discuss whether braces are the best option for you.
02 Treatment plan
At your second appointment we’ll take pre-treatment diagnostic 3D digital scans, photographs and X-rays of your teeth. These procedures are painless and will be used for diagnosis and treatment planning.
03 Getting your braces
Your orthodontist will glue small metal brackets onto the front of each tooth then place a wire across the brackets to gently straighten the teeth. This process typically takes 40 to 60 minutes.
01
Appointments take 45-60 minutes
02
3D digital scans of your teeth, photographs & x-rays
03
A digital simulation of your teeth showing them moving to their new positions
04
Additional appointments for fitting your braces
The main advantage of getting braces is having straight teeth for the rest of your life. Straight teeth are advantageous for many reasons, including better oral health and a more confident smile. Having straight teeth can improve your self-esteem and give you the confidence to smile in photos more. Braces also help to align your teeth which can enhance the shape of your face and are easier to keep clean than crooked or misaligned teeth. An aligned bite can also make chewing more comfortable and fix some speech impediments.
The best age to get braces for misaligned teeth is usually between the ages of nine and fourteen. At this age range, all of your adult teeth have come in and your physical development is most receptive as your bones are still growing. In particular, the jawbone is still growing and isn’t fully formed yet. This makes it easier for braces to move the teeth into place. Another reason to get braces as a young adult is that it’s a common age to wear them. Many people get braces during their teenage years and the time will go very fast. Before you know it, you’ll be an adult with straight teeth and a beaming smile.
Yes, adults can get braces. However, if you have the option of getting braces as a teenager you should. While there is nothing wrong with getting braces as an adult, some adults don’t like the look of traditional braces. The process of getting braces is also slightly longer for adults. This is because your bones have stopped growing and it can take longer to move the teeth into place.
If you don’t like the thought of having visible braces, Invisalign or clear braces make great alternatives. Invisalign uses clear aligners to move your teeth into place. These transparent trays are removable. Clear braces are a more inconspicuous form of traditional braces. Clear braces use ceramic brackets and white wire to move your teeth into alignment. They are not removable. However, they are far less noticeable than metal braces. If you are interested in how much braces cost, book a consultation with our orthodontist today.
Orthodontics can make brushing more difficult but it’s vital that you take care of your teeth when you have braces. Brush carefully between the brackets and wires with a good toothbrush twice a day. Electric toothbrushes with rounded heads are a great option for cleaning between brackets. If you don’t have an electric toothbrush, choose a regular brush with flexible bristles and a narrow neck. This will help to dislodge food from between the wires and infiltrate any small, hard-to-reach spots around your teeth. Choose a brush with soft bristles so that you’re not damaging any of the hardware on your teeth.