Winchester & West London Centre of Orthodontics and Medical Aesthetics
| 89 Hammersmith Grove, London | 020 8222 8760 |
| 19 City Road, Winchester, Hampshire | 01962 853 076 |
| 89 Hammersmith Grove, London | 020 8222 8760 |
| 19 City Road, Winchester, Hampshire | 01962 853 076 |
Many people have crooked or overcrowded teeth which can cause difficulty with cleaning and increased risk of gum disease or tooth decay. Orthodontic treatment can alleviate or prevent dental health problems in addition to the benefits of improved self esteem and gaining an attractive smile.
This is the technical term for teeth that do not fit together correctly. Malocclusions can be inherited and are usually caused by the difference between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaw structure. Malocclusions can be acquired from habits such as thumb sucking. It can also be acquired due to the early loss of baby or adult teeth. Whether inherited or acquired, malocclusions affect not only the alignment of the teeth, but also the appearance of the face.
The teeth and the associated facial structures (lip position, jaw position and profile) are affected by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the orthodontic treatment is planned and properly completed to achieve successful treatment with long-term stability. Orthodontists on the Specialist Register held by the General Dental Council have undergone extensive and specialized post-graduate training that enables them to provide professional and proficient treatment for their patients.
No, you do not. Many of our patients are referred by their dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves.
If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply fill out our appointment request form online or call our practice. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you at your earliest convenience.
There are six essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:
No patient is "too old" to wear braces. An increasing number of adults are now seeking orthodontic treatment to attain the perfect smile. Adult orthodontic treatment has become greatly accessible due to the increased availability of cosmetic brace options. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults.
Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth, close gaps and can be used to facilitate placement of crowns, bridges or implants.
Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.
Treatment time depends on each patient's specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment times range from 12 to 24 months but some milder cases can be as short as 6-8 months.
Brackets are attached directly onto the tooth surface. They can be made of metal, ceramic, gold or self-ligating. The wire is then placed into the bracket slot and held in place by elastics, or by the bracket itself if they are self-ligating brackets.
Once the brackets are attached, they rarely need re-adjusting. The wire is often changed at your adjustment visits, as your teeth straighten, a 'stronger wire' can be placed.
Yes, following any type of orthodontic treatment, retainers are required to prevent your teeth from drifting or moving while the bone around your teeth hardens and stabilizes. A retainer is normally worn full time initially and then reduced to part-time wear. In some cases we recommend fitting bonded retainers. The longer you wear your retainer, the better your chances that your teeth will not move back.
The cost of treatment is dependent on the complexity and treatment duration. During your initial assessment, you will be provided with a treatment fee. The treatment fee includes all your appointments including any emergency appointments and all materials with no hidden extra costs. Our interest free credit will allow you to spread the payments over the course of your treatment. Your investment is for a lifelong smile and we guarantee our lifelong duty of care to you.
Regular adjustment visits are required during treatment and generally between every 6-8 weeks. Our client-centered appointment system will enable you to be seen at your convenience reducing the amount of disruption and missed time to your school or work commitments.
Yes. We offer early evening and Saturday appointments to minimise the disruption to your busy daily schedules.
It generally takes 3-5 days to get used to the braces. During this time you are likely to experience some discomfort similar to a mild dull ache which can be easily relieved by paracetamol/painkillers if required. Your mouth may feel a little rubbing from the brackets and this can be relived using 'wax' which is provided to you free throughout treatment.
After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, paracetemol or aspirin will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all!
During treatment there are types of food which you will now have to avoid to reduce the risk of the brace breaking, for e.g. crusty breads. We will thoroughly discuss with you the after-care advice and throughout your treatment our team are happy to answer any concerns at any time.
You should brush your teeth at least four times each day - after each meal and before going to bed. There are additional interspace brushes which need to be used in conjunction with your normal toothbrush. When we fit your braces, we will show you how to brush your teeth with braces and provide full oral hygiene instruction advice. At WeLCOMe we will be provide you with a free care pack containing everything you need including tooth brushes & mouthwash to look after your teeth & braces.
Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all contact sports.
Yes! Regular checkups with your dentist are very important while in braces.