Getting orthodontic treatment is a big decision to make - it's life-changing! You can completely transform your appearance with orthodontics and greatly improve your overall oral health.
Have questions about orthodontic treatment? Explore these frequently asked questions. Discover more about the benefits of orthodontics and what to expect with treatment.
It's normal for your braces to feel a bit bulky and uncomfortable for a day or two after braces or retainers are adjusted. You may have a tendency to pick at the wires with your finger - please avoid doing this. Eat softer foods and take over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or nurofen (if not asthmatic) to reduce the discomfort.
Your dentist should be your first port of call when you have problems with your teeth. Tooth decay and gum disease are the main reasons to have a regular check-up at your dentist. It’s only when you have a problem with the alignment of your teeth (or your children’s teeth) that you need to see an orthodontists.
The length of your active treatment will depend on a range of factors. A typical full braces treatment takes between 16 and 24 months (dependent of course on case complexity, dental hygiene and diligence in orthodontic elastic band or plate wear/complementary treatments).
Your teeth may feel sensitive or tender at the start of treatment. This is normal as your teeth adjust to the braces and start to move. There will be slight discomfort after each visit for a couple of days, this is to be expected and is a sign that your teeth are moving. if you are really uncomfortable you could take paracetamol or nurofen (if not asthmatic) for pain relief.
Sometimes new braces can be irritating to the mouth, especially when eating. In most cases it only takes a few days for your mouth to get used to your braces. A small amount of non-medicinal relief wax (provided) makes an excellent buffer between metal (or ceramic) and mouth. Simply pinch off a small piece of wax and roll it into a ball the size of a small pea, flatten the ball, dry the tooth and place it completely over the area of the braces causing irritation. If at any stage the wax is accidentally swallowed it’s not a problem. The wax is harmless.
Phone and make an appointment to have this repaired as soon as possible. If this appointment is delayed your treatment may slow, not progress or go slightly backwards. D.I.Y. repair work causes more damage. However, if you have wires digging in while away on holiday or outside of surgery hours, you may contact a dentist for a temporary repair until we can see you.
Brackets can only be dislodged by eating incorrect food, fiddling with things in your mouth or a knock to your face. If the bracket is loose on your wire, try turning it around the correct way so it is not digging in and make a time to have this repaired as soon as possible.
Occasionally the end of a wire will work itself out of place and irritate your mouth. Try and push the wire flat against the tooth; if the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, try covering it with relief wax or place a cotton ball over it and make an appointment to have this repaired.
Kieran O’Neill Orthodontics strives to provide patients with affordable, high-quality orthodontic care in the Southland area. Our fee will depend on what treatment option is best for you and how long this takes. We offer a variety of payment options to suit your situation. We offer interest-free, monthly payments and offer courtesy discounts to patients who pay in full at the start of treatment, and patients with multiple family members undergoing treatment.
Our flexible payment options allow you to pay for your treatment over a period of time so you can focus on what matters most – keeping your smile healthy!
Our fee is all inclusive that covers the cost of braces/appliances, adjustment appointments, retainers and annual retention checks. After your initial consultation with us we will provide you with a letter outlining the problem, solution, your responsibilities and definitive costs.
Please feel free to phone us on 03 218 4799 to book a consultation so we can work out the best treatment plan for you and give an idea of the costs involved.