An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed specialist training in orthodontics. All orthodontists on the Smiles-Ortho team, are Irish registered specialists.
Orthodontic treatment is possible at any age as long as the teeth and supporting structures are healthy. Certain types of problem are treated optimally during the growing years.
Costs depend on the complexity of the problem, how long treatment will take and the type of braces chosen. We have a published list of treatment fees for most types of treatment.
Treatment has two parts. Making the teeth straight involves wearing braces for 1-2 years as a general rule. The second part involved wearing a retainer to keep the teeth in their new positions. Retainers of some kind are generally worn indefinitely.
The costs of orthodontic treatment for yourself or for a dependent is deductable for income tax purposes. Tax is generally reclaimed at the end of treatment. Smiles Ortho staff will be able to complete all paper work for you in relation to this.
Braces usually involve bonding small attachments or brackets to the teeth. Often these are made of metal and are joined together with a fine wire. The brackets nowadays are very small, quite unobtrusive and are even considered fashionable by some.
It is possible in most cases to have an option to choose ceramic braces. In this instance the brackets are made of a clear or tooth coloured ceramic material. Ceramic braces are generally a bit more expensive than the purely metal variety. Though not completely invisible, they look a lot less obvious than metal brackets.
Sometimes treatment involves wearing braces inside or behind the teeth for some or all of the correction. If this type of treatment is an option or is indicated the orthodontist will offer this to you.
When teeth are very short of space or over crowded it can be necessary for the orthodontist to recommend the removal of one or more teeth to allow the others to fit in. We manage to treat about 70% of patients without extractions.
This treatment involves wearing a sequence of clear almost invisible plastic aligners to straighten the teeth. There are no metal parts and the aligners are removed for eating. If not worn full time (23 hours a day-every day) treatment with Invisalign does not succeed.
Certain types of problems are not suitable for treatment with Invisalign, such as very large overbites, jaw problems and very severe crowding. Our orthodontists have extensive experience using Invisalign and will be able to advise you on your suitability.
Orthodontic treatment with regular braces most often takes 18-24 months to complete with adjustments being done by the orthodontist every 8 weeks or so. Treatment with Invisalign often takes less time to complete. Retainers are worn after treatment to maintain the correction. We actively monitor the teeth for a year after treatment is completed.
Braces can make teeth feel a bit tight for a few days after placement or adjustment. Other than that, treatment should be a very comfortable experience.
Teeth can have a tendency to change after they have been corrected. A retainer is placed on the teeth at the end of treatment to hold them in position. Wearing or using a retainer as instructed is an important element of treatment if the result is to be maintained indefinitely.
To ensure that your correction is maintained forever, you will be advised to wear a retainer perhaps as little as one evening per week. Sometimes a permanent fixed hidden retainer will be placed on the teeth.
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An orthodontist is a dentist who has completed specialist training in orthodontics. All orthodontists on the Smiles-Ortho team, are Irish registered specialists.
