FAQ

Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry. The purpose of orthodontics is to treat any type of malocclusion, which is simply another way of saying "bad bite". A bad bite is not only applicable to children either; as adults are increasingly seeking treatment for deteriorated bites to enhance facial features too. When you have a "bad bite", that means your teeth, lips and/or jaws don't line up the way they should. As a result, your teeth may be crooked, your bite may not work correctly and your jaws may look unbalanced and cause secondary symptoms such as severe headaches. To fi x bad bites, orthodontists use braces and other corrective procedures to achieve tooth and jaw alignment. This correction of the teeth and their supportive structures makes for a healthy, attractive smile.

All orthodontists are dentists, but are specially qualifi ed in orthodontics. Only a small portion of dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Admission to orthodontic education programmes is extremely competitive and selective. It takes many years to become an orthodontist.

It is hard to clean and maintain crooked and crowded teeth. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause irregular abrasion of tooth surfaces, diffi culty in chewing and/or speaking, tension on the supporting bone and gum tissue and possible T.M. joint problems. An unattractive smile can also cause self-esteem issues. Children and adults whose malocclusions are left untreated may go through life feeling self-conscious and hiding their smiles, causing additional issues. Orthodontic treatment to correct a problem may prove less costly than the additional dental and other medical care that might be needed to treat the problems that can develop in later years.

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, acrylic or plastic. They can be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. Braces slowly move teeth to their correct position by constantly and gently forcing them into carefully controlled directions. The biologic process is the same in both children and adults.

Costs vary depending on the treatment required. We will work with you and your medical aid provider to identify the most cost effective option available for the required treatment.

Generally, patients are in orthodontic treatment for one to three years. The use of Lingual braces, coupled with our hands-on approach to patient management, can reduce the treatment time to 18 months. The severity of the problem and whether the patients follow our advice does infl uence the treatment time though.

After your braces are removed, you will need to wear a retainer to keep or "retain" your teeth in their new positions. We do prefer using fixed retainers, as it lessens the chance of relapse. Dr. Smit will advise on the duration of treatment.

The best way is to visit an orthodontist. It is internationally recommended that all children get a check-up with an orthodontist no later than between the ages of seven to ten, when enough permanent teeth have arrived for the orthodontists to evaluate how the teeth and jaws meet, and to identify current or developing problems. If a problem is detected, the orthodontist and parents can discuss when/if treatment may be necessary.

Treatment and growth often complement each other. In some cases, the orthodontist takes advantage of a child's growth to guide jaws and teeth into their ideal positions.

Typically a child will see the orthodontist every 4-6 weeks throughout the course of treatment. Depending on the problem during the alignment stage, we might even see patients more often.

It is very important to see the orthodontist as soon as possible. The treatment involved would take note of the child's age and may involve other treatments apart from mere braces.

The global thinking regarding retention is that it is forever. Retainers should be worn on a long-term basis. You can cut down on the amount of retainer wear as time goes by, but it is not advisable to stop completely. You should visit your orthodontist regularly to ensure the retainer still fi ts properly.

Yes, but make sure you wear a protective mouth guard if it is normal braces. With Lingual braces it is not necessary since they are bonded to the inside of the teeth, on the tongue's side.

With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of musical instruments.

Generally, patients are in orthodontic treatment for one to three years. Although, with the use of Lingual braces and following our hands on approach to patient management, we can reduce the treatment time. The severity of the problem and whether the patients follow our advice does infl uence the treatment time.

This treatment is called lingual orthodontics and has many benefi ts, especially being aesthetically pleasing

Yes. Your orthodontist will suggest the best plan for treatment such as the ideal position of the teeth that are present to provide for the placement of implants to replace the missing teeth.

Yes, keeping your teeth and braces clean requires a little more effort on your part. Your orthodontist will explain how to brush and floss, how often to brush and fl oss, and give you any special instructions based on the kind of orthodontic treatment you are having.

The advertisements may be for veneers. Veneers cover crooked teeth but do not address the structure in the mouth or how the upper and lower teeth meet. Veneers are not permanent. Many require removal of signifi cant amounts of tooth enamel. If plaque collects where the veneer and the remaining natural tooth meet, the area will be susceptible to what is known as "recurrent decay. Orthodontic treatment is far more than simply treating how teeth look, it's about aligning teeth and jaws so that they meet and function effectively. It just so happens that when teeth and jaws are functioning well, they look good too.

You might want to ask your orthodontist about Lingual braces, which are attached behind the teeth. Ceramic braces may be another option to lessen the visibility of braces; they blend in with the teeth for a more natural effect. Invisible retainers can also be used in specific cases.

Yes, but make sure you wear a protective mouth guard if it is normal braces. With Lingual braces it is not necessary since they are bonded to the inside of the teeth, on the tongue's side.