Thinking About Braces
What are simple and comprehensive treatments and how do they differ?
Simple orthodontic treatments are largely reserved for minor problems where the basic function of your dentition (the way your teeth have developed in your mouth) is close to ideal. In that case minor adjustments can be made to improve the appearance of your teeth — a cosmetic treatment, in other words. Devices such as our invisible aligners can be used for these sorts of treatment.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatments are more complex. They may require careful adjustment of your upper and lower teeth until they are perfectly aligned and function correctly. Sometimes comprehensive treatment will involve adjusting the position of your jaw to correct an overbite or an underbite.
What orthodontic treatments can I get at embrace?
All treatment types are available at Embrace. Our specialist orthodontists keep up to date with developments in every brand of treatment and are therefore prepared to provide treatments they know have been proven to work. Clear fixed braces, gold fixed braces or Invisalign we will find the brace that suits you and your lifestyle.
Can I get braces straight away?
After your initial assessment your specialist orthodontist will discuss with you at length the position of your teeth and jaw, and the overall condition of your teeth and gums. In some cases they may refer you to have other treatment first — if, for example you have gum disease, that will need to be cleared up in order for your orthodontic treatment to have the best chance of success.
What marks out embrace from other clinics?
It really has to do with our specialised approach. At embrace you will be assessed by a specialist orthodontist who will then plan and coordinate your treatment. To become a specialist orthodontist they had to first of all qualify as a dentist, gain comprehensive experience in the job and then spend several more years studying and taking exams. Between them, this team has notched up over 60 years of specialist orthodontic knowledge.
They will spend a lot of time explaining the type of problem you have, why it occurred, and as a result give you options that suit you. This will encompass all orthodontic systems, and they will want to give you a thoroughly comfortable experience throughout your treatment, including plenty of reassurance and information as your treatment progresses.
Unfortunately that is a very different experience to the orthodontic treatment available at many dental practices, where just one or two treatments may be on offer and the dentist is unlikely to possess the wealth of knowledge needed to guarantee the best possible result for you.
We are also open for appointments between 8am and 7.30pm, making your life easier.
When does orthodontic treatment fail?
When the wrong type of treatment is applied, owing to a lack of treatment options or a poor initial assessment. These things won’t happen at Embrace because our specialist orthodontists take care to evaluate their patients and match them with the most appropriate treatment — out of the full range of systems available. We match treatment to the patient’s clinical needs, not simply to their short term cosmetic desires, although these will be taken into account.
What happens when orthodontic treatment fails?
Like any type of medical treatment, orthodontic treatment can go wrong or fail due to reasons other than poor diagnostics and retreatment can be necessary even after a perfect case finish years earlier. That said, proper diagnosis early on will minimise the chances of this happening and give you the best possible chance of perfect, long lasting results.