- What is the best age to see an orthodontist?
- Do I need a referral from my dentist to see an orthodontist?
- Will the orthodontist remove teeth?
- Is orthodontic treatment painful?
- How long does the treatment take?
- Will more treatment be needed in the years ahead?
- What happens when wisdom teeth come through?
- Are there any risks to orthodontic treatment?
What is the best age to see an orthodontist?
The best age to start treatment is as soon as possible after your adult teeth have come through – usually in your early teens. Starting treatment while you are young may stop more serious problems from developing and may make treatment shorter and less complicated. Early treatment may also achieve results that are not possible once your face and jaws have stopped growing.
Sometimes dentists and orthodontists find an orthodontic problem when you are even younger and plan the best way to treat it.
Do I need a referral from my dentist to see an orthodontist?
No, there’s no need for a referral - you can just phone Ethos for an appointment. Of course, your dentist might be the person who discovers the problem and suggests that you visit an orthodontist.
If you haven’t seen your dentist for six months, then your orthodontist will ask you to have a check up before treatment begins. Your orthodontist will be happy to send information about your treatment to your dentist.
Will the orthodontist remove teeth?
No, the orthodontist will always try to design a treatment that does not mean removing any teeth. If it is essential to remove a tooth, the orthodontist will refer you to a dentist for the removal.
Is orthodontic treatment painful?
Fitting the braces and invisalign doesn’t hurt but sometimes you may notice some discomfort in the first few days after fitting and adjustments as your teeth start to move to a new position. You can take Panadol or Nurofen if you need to.
How long does the treatment take?
The time needed depends on your teeth and your treatment plan. The orthodontist will give you an estimate of the time it will take but for some people it may take a little longer. Wearing the braces or Invisalign as directed and following the orthodontist’s instructions will help the treatment work as quickly as possible.
Will more treatment be needed in the years ahead?
Teeth continue to shift throughout life but the change usually slows down after the early 20s. Even children whose teeth developed into ideal alignment without treatment may develop orthodontic problems as adults. The most common change is crowding of the lower incisor (front) teeth. Wearing retainers as instructed after orthodontic treatment will stabilise the correction. After the period of full-time retainer wear, night-time retainer wear can prevent later shifting of the teeth.
What happens when wisdom teeth come through?
Wisdom teeth do not contribute to the crowding of lower incisor teeth that can develop in the late teen years and beyond. The main reason to remove wisdom teeth is if the gums around them are infected or inflamed.
Are there any risks to orthodontic treatment?
Normally orthodontic treatment is straightforward and leads to a very successful result. As with any sort of medical or dental treatment, in rare cases, things don’t work quite to the usual plan or there may be a complication. Ask your orthodontist about the risks and how best to avoid them.
