Dental Braces & Orthodontics
Dental Braces are the most popular way to correct misaligned bites and straighten teeth in adults and children. It is a great way to boost self confidence by achieving your desired smile so that you can live your life to its full potential.
Typical braces are metal wires attached to brackets placed onto each tooth. They're used by dentists to straighten crooked teeth or jaws. Adults too can benefit from having orthodontic treatment done by an experienced dentist.
Crooked teeth aren’t just a dental aesthetic problem; they can cause serious health dental problems. If you have slightly crooked teeth, then you're at greater risk for developing dental tooth decay than someone who has straight teeth.
Severely uneven teeth can also affect your jaws health as well as your speech. Correcting crooked teeth will require either fixed orthodontic or a clear retainer dental brace often referred to as an ‘invisible brace’ or ‘clear retainer’. Creating a healthy and visually appealing smile takes time and patience, your dentist can help you achieve a smile to be proud of. As a patient of St Marys Dental, you are in good hands and in the care of a wonderful team.
Braces are used for several months during which time they're adjusted periodically by your dentist until their fit has been perfected. After removal, your dentist will typically advise that retainers are worn continuously for weeks or even months at a time (not in the practice) to check that your teeth remain in the desired dental positions.
Stafford Dental Practice
We are a Stafford Dental surgery & family practice covering all forms of both routine and specialised dental treatments.
Our practice is well established and many patients have reviewed us. We very much look forward to helping you achieve the smile you deserve.
If for any reason you are nervous or anxious about your visit, we could suggest that you come and meet the team prior to any treatment, to feel comfortable and at home in advance.
Types of Dental Braces & Orthodontic Solutions
Depending upon which type of braces you need as a patient, there are several different options available for correcting misaligned teeth.
For each type, there are specific patient benefits and drawbacks that need to be considered when deciding which one would be most appropriate for an individual patient.
As a patient your dentist will guide you through the best dental options, their advantages and disadvantages over one another. Braces are not always the right choice for every patient; if they're not, then the dentist or orthodontist may recommend another option instead.
Braces usually include bands, wires, and some sort of fixed or removable appliance.
Metal braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment available today. Brackets are usually used for orthodontic treatment; they're small metal clips that attach directly onto the surface of your teeth. Bands are elastic rubber devices that go around individual teeth. They may also use flexible wires (or even metal) to connect their braces to each other. Some braces may be connected by rubber bands or metal links.
The bands are designed to give extra support for braces so they'll stay straighter longer. Your orthodontist may sometimes ask you to wear a device called a headband during sleep. It helps add extra pressure to keep your teeth straighter. It doesn't hurt if you wear it for too long and you can easily put it on and take it off.
Brackets in traditional braces are no longer just metal — Clear ceramic cosmetic braces are a less visible type of orthodontic appliance than metal ones because they're made from transparent materials.
They work exactly like traditional orthodontic braces, but instead of using wires made from steel, clear plastic elastics are used.
Braces such as traditional metal braces and ceramic braces use brackets and wires for support; however, Invisalign uses a series of custom-molded transparent plastic aligners that fit snugly over each tooth. These aligners are easily removable and replaceable at each stage during orthodontic treatment. Many people need between 18 and 30 aligners to get their teeth straightened.
For most people, these types of orthodontic appliances are preferred because they’re almost invisible and allow them to enjoy eating and drinking whatever they want without worrying. They're considerably more expensive than traditional braces but can only be used for correcting mild to moderate tooth misalignment issues in teens and adults.
One of our wonderful dentists will take the time to explain your options when you visit ou Stafford practice for your appointment.
Once brackets are bonded onto each tooth, your orthodontist adjusts them periodically by fine tuning their position using wire loops.
This will be performed at out Stafford dental practice. It places light pressure on the teeth and slowly moves them out of their old position. When the teeth move against each other, they dissolve bone in their paths and lay down new bone behind them.
If you're having trouble sleeping at night because of pain from braces, don't worry — it'll go away soon!
Your teeth and jaws may feel a bit tender for the first day or two after they've been adjusted. If the discomfort is severe or becomes worse then you need to tell your dentist straight away.
To prevent dental cavities, cut back on sugar and starch intake; use fluoridated toothpaste and a soft bristle brush for brushing teeth. After eating, if you don’t want to eat any more, just rinsing your mouth out with some water which might help prevent tooth decay. Rinse thoroughly to remove all food particles.
Use an interdental brush for cleaning between teeth and under brackets. If your orthodontist recommends using a small flexible toothbrush, then use one - they can also advise you on the best way to brush your teeth and braces!
Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, chewy sweets and toffees as these can pull off brackets, bands or wires. You also need to avoid hard or crunchy foods such as ice, raw carrots, hard sweets, popcorn and nuts as they can potentially break your braces as well as getting stuck in them.
Make sure to visit your dentist regularly for regular dental cleanings and dental checkups so that you don't end up with any cavities or gum disease. If you don't read or follow these instructions then it could prolong your practice treatment meaning you will need to wear braces for longer.
Dental braces are usually considered quite safe procedures. However there could be some risks if not looked after properly.
Wearing dental braces creates small gaps between your teeth which can trap food particles and encourage bacterial plaque buildup. If you don't clean out your mouth after eating, you may be leaving behind deposits of food and plaque that could cause loss of minerals from your tooth's outer enamel surface which can lead to dental or tooth staining.
After your dental braces come off, you need to follow your orthodontists' dental care instructions carefully, especially when it comes to wearing retainers afterwards. Its important that you stay on top of your service and maintenance appointments and that you follow up with your retainers. If you don't wear them then you might lose some of the corrections achieved while wearing your braces.
If you are in need of Emergency dental care or for any reason you are in dental discomfort or pain, please call our Emergencies dental line without hesitation at any time to make an appointment with us.
Phone number:
01785 251 287
Address:
St Mary’s Place Dental Practice, 5 St Mary’s Place, Stafford, ST16 2AR
Questions & Answers
It all depends on exactly what you are looking to achieve and by which method of dental alignment you choose. Check out our fees list here or book an appointment / consultation.
Once your dentist has completed your assessment consultation a cost will be provided to you on a treatment plan. To see prices starting from* please see our price list.
Free Whitening with all Orthodontic systems.
