Braces and aligners
Orthodontic treatment to correct crowding, gaps and bite problems, using fixed braces or removable clear aligners.
- Typical appointment
- Typically 12–24 months
What it is
Orthodontic treatment moves teeth gradually into better alignment. It addresses crowding, spacing, and how the upper and lower teeth meet.
Options
Fixed braces — brackets bonded to the teeth connected by a wire. Suitable for the widest range of cases, including complex bite corrections.
Clear aligners — a series of removable trays. Less visible and removable for eating, but they depend entirely on being worn the prescribed number of hours a day, and not every case is suitable for them.
When to start
Children are usually assessed around age 7–9, when it becomes possible to see how the permanent teeth and jaws are developing. Treatment itself often begins later. Adults can be treated at any age provided the gums and supporting bone are healthy.
What is involved
An assessment with X-rays, photographs and impressions or a scan, then a plan with expected duration. Adjustment visits follow every few weeks.
Afterwards
Retainers are needed once active treatment finishes. Teeth drift back towards their original position without them — this is normal biology, not a failure of treatment, and retainer wear is a long-term commitment.