At Brickfields Dental Care, we use the Damon System of brackets which are currently state of the art self ligating brackets, which result in rapid movement of teeth and therefore shorter overall treatment times. The new Damon Clear brackets for the upper arch are now used for patients who would prefer tooth colored brackets.
Orthodontic treatment involves wearing a brace (appliance). There are two main types of braces, removable and fixed. Different combinations of braces may be used to treat individual cases. Depending on the type of appliance it will move your teeth into position, guide the way your jaw grows, or even widen your jaw to make room for crowded teeth. Occasionally, it might be necessary to extract some teeth if your mouth is very crowded.
Removable braces are used for correcting simple problems such as moving a single tooth or expanding the dental arch by exerting gentle pressure. Removable appliances are generally used in younger children who still have their baby teeth present to improve problems with their bite. Removable appliances can also be fitted over the top and bottom teeth at the same time to harness the growth of the lower jaw and improve the way the upper and lower teeth meet. These appliances are known as Functional Appliances.
Invisalign is a revolutionary way to straighten teeth without using braces. This system uses a series of nearly undetectable aligners instead of brackets and wires. These are made of thin clear plastic, which fit to your teeth, a bit like a very thin mouth guard. There are on average, a series of between 12-48 individual aligners, which are changed every two weeks to gradually move your teeth into their correct positions. The orthodontist will see you regularly at six-week intervals to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time averages between 12-18 months but may vary from case to case. The best cases for Invisalign are mild to moderate crowding.
Fixed retainers are fitted behind the front teeth to prevent relapse of spacing or significant movement. Fixed retainers are usually required for at least seven years but are often kept in for life.