Illume Orthodontics

Orthodontics - straightening teeth - is not limited to children and 'Ugly Betty' braces.

Adults increasingly are benefitting from orthodontics and Illumeorthodontics offers you a number of treatment options for effective but discrete tooth straightening.

Fixed or Removable?


FIXED ORTHODONTICS

These are small brackets fixed to the teeth linked together with a wire to shape the arch and sometimes some springs and elastics to help move the teeth.

Fixed appliances can be attached to the front surface of the teeth (labial orthodontics) or to the inner surfaces (lingual orthodontics).

Both are efficient and achieve accurate and predictable movement of teeth.

Traditionally labial orthodontics has been the most common but it's visible and the metal brackets very obvious.

Ceramic (tooth coloured) brackets are the most discrete labial brackets and can hardly be seen thus giving a rapid, predictable and almost invisible solution.

Lingual orthodontics is virtually invisible – you can have your teeth straightened and no one need know. It's more difficult to manage than labial brackets and a lot less comfortable. Ask Alison, our Non Clinical Director for more details as she wore lingual brackets to straighten her teeth in 2010 – 2011.

Sometimes we may use a combination of both.


REMOVABLE APPLIANCES

These are not fixed in place and are removed for cleaning and sometimes for eating.

Removable appliances can be quite bulky and the movements they make limited.

Newer versions such as Clearstep and Invisalign have been developed to be virtually invisible and consist of a series of clear plastic positioners used in sequence to gradually move teeth.

Although they are much less obvious than labial fixed orthodontics there are limitations to how far and how fast teeth can be moved and some movements are very difficult if not impossible to carry out. They have limited usage, particularly in more severe cases.


FULL CORRECTION OR A LIMITED OBJECTIVE

Whilst full correction of crowded and disordered teeth is possible in most cases it can be complex and time consuming.

Our experience is that often people are less concerned about crowding and problems in the back teeth and are more concerned with the straightness, or otherwise, of the front teeth alone.

In many cases it is possible to improve the appearance of the front teeth without moving the back teeth. This is a compromise on a full correction but is often less complex and quicker to carry out sometimes requiring only a 'sectional' appliance fitted to just a few teeth.

During diagnosis and treatment planning both full correction and limited objective treatment plans are considered and the final plan will take into account the complexity of the case and the desires and requirements of individual clients.


RETENTION

It is now considered that retention of the final position is mandatory and should be considered 'life long'.

Whether orthodontically corrected or not teeth will continue to drift and move slightly over a lifetime. After the teeth are aligned, clients must be committed to wearing discrete retainers (fixed or removable) for as long as they want their teeth to remain straight.

Retainers are either bonded to the backs of the front teeth or can be made as a thin, clear plastic removable device worn at night, or a combination of both.


DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING

Whether using systems such as Clearstep and Invisalign or fixed appliances, careful diagnosis and treatment planning is essential. Sometimes this is carried out by Specialist Orthodontists.

Diagnosis is made from accurate photographs, x-rays and models of the teeth along with a clinical assessment and an exploration of the client's requirements and expectations.

In the case of Clearstep and Invisalign this is carried out by each company's own diagnostic faculty.

In the case of fixed appliances this will be carried out either by our own Dr Sarah Moore or sometimes in conjunction with an Orthodontic Specialist. We have linked up with Mr Ian Hutchinson BDS FDS RCSEd M.ORTHEd MSc (Bris) and Wired Orthodontics Ltd. Ian Hutchinson is a fully qualified Specialist Orthodontist and Clinical Director of the Lingual Orthodontic course at Warwick University. Wired Orthodontics Ltd specialise in making the various pieces of technical brackets, wires and jigs that are required to accurately fit the appliances.

Once the diagnostic examination, photographs, x-rays and impressions have been carried out the results are sent to the appropriate diagnostic facility.

An assessment of the individual case is made and a number of options and treatment plans put to the client along with costs involved. When, following discussion of the possibilities, the client wishes to go ahead then consent is obtained and the technical stages started.


FEES & PAYMENT

Clients are informed of fees at the start of treatment and reductions are available for advance payment and for clients in Membership.

We can also help spread the cost of treatment through credit facilities, often interest free, to help make treatment more affordable.

Diagnostic fees – currently there is a diagnostic fee to cover examination, photographs, x-rays, impressions etc. If Clearstep diagnosis is required there is an additional fee for their diagnostic faculty.


HOW WE CAN HELP

If you are unhappy with crooked teeth and would like to benefit from the extra confidence that an attractive smile can bring please ask us for a free consultation to discuss the possibilities and options open to you.


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Further Information

To find out more about the various methods, you can visit the websites below.