Faqs
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What is a removable brace? |
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A removable brace is called a removable appliance because you can take it out whenever you want. But you should always wear it all of the time (even at night and for eating), except for when you need to clean your teeth and need to clean the appliance. |
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What is a fixed brace? |
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Fixed braces (commonly known as train tracks) are called fixed because you cant take them out on your own. They only come off your teeth at the end of treatment. Special brackets are stuck onto your teeth, through which a wire is passed to put the force onto your teeth. Since you cant take them out, you will need to pay extra special attention to cleaning your teth whilst you are wearing the brace. Special brushes can be bought at the practice to make this easier. |
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What are retainers? |
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Retainers are made from a clear plastic and specially moulded to fit onto your teeth at the end of treatment. They do not move your teeth, like a brace, but they do stop your teeth from trying to move back to the position they moved from. It is very important that you wear your retainers and follow your orthodontists instructions for doing this - if you dont then your teeth will regress. What a shame if this were to happen after all the effort to give you a fantastic smile! |
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When can I start treatment? |
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You need to have all of your adult teeth in place before a brace can be fitted. The average age for children to be ready for treatment is 13 years of age - although some children are much younger than this when they get their braces fitted if all of their adult teeth have come through early. Equally, some people hang onto their baby teeth longer than average and so the treatment start time may be at an older age.
The other thing that determines treatment start time for NHS patients is our treatment waiting list. Once you have been seen for an initial screening appointment, if you are ready and eligible for NHS treatment, then you will be put onto our Treatment Waiting List. Patients are then called off in turn. our Treatment Waiting List is currently 6 months.
Private patients can start treatment almost immediately, assuming that all of their adult teeth are in place. |
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How long is the Treatment Waiting List? |
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NHs patients who are ready and eligible for NHS funded treatment go onto our Treatment Waiting List and are called off in turn as soon as we are able to take on new patients. the wait is currently approximately 6 months from going onto the list to starting in treatment.
There is no Treatment Waiting List for private patients. For private treatments this can start almost immediately. |
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How long do I have to wait for an appointment when my dentist has referred me to the practice? |
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For NHS referrals we commit to seeing new patients referred to us within approximately 12 weeks from referral by your dentist. This will be for an initial screening appointment (see What happens at a screening appointment?). If you are ready and eligible for treatment, you would then be placed on our Treatment Waiting List (see How long is the Treatment Waiting List?). |
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What happens at my first screening appointment? |
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This is a very short appointment for NHS patients that enables us to get to know you, assess your readiness for treatment and determine whether or not you are eligible for NHS funded orthodontic treatment. It involves a 5 minute appointment with one of the orthodontists who will take a look at your teeth to determine your readiness and eligibility for NHS treatment. You may need to have an X-ray taken of your teeth, which would make the appointment a little longer.
Although this is a very short appointment, it is invaluable. It means that you will usually be able to find out there and then what your options for treatment are. If you are ready and eligible for treatment, you will be placed on our Treatment Waiting List. If you do not qualify for NHS funded orthodontics, we can usually tell you at this appointment and if you then wish to proceed privately, then you will be able to start almost right away. If you need to be referred to the hospital for treatment, then that will be done right away.
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Why can you see me in 12 weeks when other practices have a very long waiting list? |
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We have changed the way that we work so that we can see new patients referred to us by dentists within 12 weeks from referral. This is invaluable because it means that any priority cases can be seen without delay, hospital referrals for very complex cases can be dealt with immediately and any patients who do not qualify for NHS orthodontics find out striaght away without needing to wait.
We do, though, have a Treatment Waiting List for new patients who are ready and eligible for treatment. We think that it is huge benefit for you to know what your options are very quickly from being referred into us, making our screening sessions worthwhile, but NHS patients will need still to wait on our Treatment Waiting List before treatment actually starts. |
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What are the NHS eligibility criteria? |
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From April 2006 the NHS introduced new criteria for orthodontics to determine the type of cases that qualify for NHS funded treatment. It is a very complex area, but put simply it means that milder (cosmetic) conditions are not eligible for NHS funded treatment. At your sreening appointment you will be assessed by an orthodontist who is a specialist in this area and will advise whether or not you are eligible for NHS funded treatment. |
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What can I do if I am not eligible for NHS funded treatment? |
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If you are not eligible, it does not mean that we cannot treat you. But it does mean that the NHS will not pay for it.
We can treat children privately who do not qualify for NHS funded treatment. We offer two levels of service. Silver Service is an NHS equivalent level of service using standard silver brackets, except that treatment can start right away. Private treatment offers priority in appointment times at certain times of the day and options for more aesthetic (better looking) appliances such as ceramic brackets. |
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Do you treat adults? |
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Yes! We have an increasing number of adults who are realising the benefits of orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their teeth, giving them a fantastic smile and improved confidence.
Adult treatments are all done on a private basis. If you would like to make an appointment with an orthodontist, just ring or email the practice. A Treatment Co-ordinator is also available to talk to you over the phone or meet with you in person at the practice, if you would like some information about private adult orthodontics.
When you decide that you would like to proceed with your treatment on a private basis, we will prepare a contract for you which will be betwen you and the orthodontist who is providing your treatment. For ease of administration, all fees are paid to the practice, but the contract is a private one between you and the orthodontist. |
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How much does private orthodontics cost? |
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The cost depends on what needs to be done and the treatment option that you use. We can only advise you properly after an initial consultation with the orthodontist, but indicative prices can be found on our website by clicking on the Services tab.
Orthodontic treatment is an investment in your appearance. If you have a concern about the appearance of your teeth, it is likely that this will affect your confidence and your willingness to smile! We encourage our private patients to pay as you go on an interest free monthly payment plan. You can spread the cost of your investment in your appearance over the duration of the treatment, making it really easy to budget and pay for the treatment at no extra cost to you. |
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For how long will I need to wear my braces? |
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The duration of treatment depends on your condition and what needs to be done. On average, treatment takes about 18 months. But the duration may be longer or shorter. |
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What is a ceramic bracket? |
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A ceramic bracket is a clear or white bracket that matches the colour of your teeth. So it is much less noticeable than standard silver brackets. Ceramic brackets are a common option for private patients who want their brace to be less obvious and more aesthetically pleasing.
Were sorry, but ceramic brackets are not available to NHS patients. |
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What is Invisalign? |
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Invisalign aligners are clear, comfortable, removable aligners that can be used to move your teeth into the required position. The special aligners are purpose-made for you by a very sophisticated manufacturing process. You get a whole set of different aligners throughout the course of your treatment, each set just a little differnt to the set before, as your teeth gradually move into position.
Were sorry but Invisalign is not available to NHS patients. |
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Are you an Invisalign certified practice? |
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Yes! The Principal Orthodontist is an approved Invisalign practictioner. |
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Can private patients make priority bookings? |
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Yes! If you are a private patient one of the benefits is being able to make bookings for several appointments in advance. This means that you will be able to choose times that suit you well. Additionally, the orthodontists who practice privately also reserve certain times of the week to only see private patients. Either way, we should be able to find mutually convenient times for your appointments. |
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