orthodontics from dentist Wakefield Dewsbury - orthodontic dentist, tooth whitening, cosmetic dentist

Thornhill Dental Surgery
4 Edge Lane    Thornhill
Dewsbury     WF12 0QR
Tel    :    01924 439959
Fax :    01924 467687

What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry which specialises in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The practice of orthodontics requires professional skill in the design, application and control of the corrective appliances. We aim to bring the teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment.

What causes orthodontic problems?
Orthodontic problems are called malocclusions. Most malocclusions are inherited but some may be acquired. Inherited problems include crowding of teeth, spacing of teeth, extra or missing teeth and irregularities of the jaws.

Acquired malocclusions may be caused by trauma, thumb-sucking, airway obstruction by tonsils and adenoids, dental disease or premature loss of deciduous (baby) or permanent teeth.

The importance of orthodontic treatment…
Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This may contribute towards increased tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems may contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient cleaning and increased stress on gum tissue and supporting bone.

The benefits of orthodontic treatment…

Easier to clean and healthier teeth
Better appearance of teeth and face leading to improved self-esteem
Improved function
With the invention of aesthetic braces, so called because the brace is the same colour as the teeth, the social impact of wearing a brace is minimised.

Removable Braces
This type of brace is used to solve simple orthodontic problems, for example to move a single tooth forward or to widen the arch.

These types of brace have a plastic plate with metal clips, which grip your teeth to keep the brace in place. Other wires or devices move the teeth which need correction.

These braces may feel a little strange at first but you soon get used to them.

To achieve the desired tooth movement, the brace should be worn at all times; however it may be taken out for eating, cleaning and playing sport.

You will have regular appointments with your orthodontist to have the brace adjusted.

Fixed Braces
Fixed braces are one of the most effective ways of straightening teeth. There are 3 stages to having your fixed brace applied:

Stage1 - Rubber separators are used to make space between your back molar teeth to allow bands (stage 2) to fit into place. These separators are left in place for 2-3 days.
Stage 2 - The rubber separators are removed. The bands which are made of very thin metal are carefully fitted around the back molar teeth and bonded into place. They have either a tube or rook attached so that orthodontic arch wires (stage 3) can be held in place.
Stage 3 - Orthodontic brackets are small, square metal staples that are bonded directly onto each tooth. An arch wire is then placed through them - the arch wire is a guide or track along which the teeth are moved. There are changes throughout the treatment and each change means you are getting closer to the ideal position for your teeth.

Sometimes elastics are used; these are small rubber bands which are attached to a hook on one of your molar bands and a hook on the arch wire towards the front of your mouth. These elastics provide gentle but continuous force to help individual tooth movement or to align one arch to the next.

Tooth movement will only occur if these elastics are worn as directed and will help speed up your orthodontic treatment.

Fixed braces can be used either after or at the same time as a removable brace or functional brace.

Twin Block (Functional) Braces
This type of brace is used to encourage your jaw to grow back into the correct position. Twin blocks look bulky, but they are the fastest, most effective brace to correct the way your teeth and jaw meet together.

It will only take a couple of days to get used to wearing them and you will quickly adapt to speaking with your brace in place.

Twin blocks should be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day, every day but may be removed for eating, cleaning and playing contact sports and swimming.

Treatment time is usually 6-12 months followed by a further 12-18 months treatment with fixed braces.