Comprehensive Orthodontics is what many people typically think of when they think of braces. The main aims of the treatment are to align the teeth and correct any discrepancies.
This differs to Short Term Orthodontics where the main aim is to produce a much more cosmetically pleasing result, without significantly changing the way the teeth bite together.
Generally speaking, children are recommended to have Comprehensive Orthodontics and adults have the choice whether to have Comprehensive Orthodontics or Short Term Orthodontics depending on their treatment aims.
The traditional comprehensive orthodontic treatment usually involves making sure that every upper and lower opposing teeth form a good interlocking relationship with each other, with the aim of teeth meeting in the ideal relationship. The rationale behind this is that if the back molars align well together, and then the canines fit well together, then naturally the incisors will fall into a good aesthetically pleasing relationship with each other.
For some people, their teeth naturally lie near or close to this ideal relationship, and so little or no space is required to achieve this perfect alignment. This treatment then involves levelling and aligning the teeth, making space if needed by taking a small amount of enamel from between a few teeth, and then closing spaces.
For other people, they may have too many teeth to simply be able to align them to fall into the perfect relationship with each other, this is often described dentally as ‘crowding of teeth‘. In these situations it maybe necessary to remove teeth to make space, then align and level the teeth, then close the gaps by moving the teeth.
We are now able to offer ceramic fixed braces that work like metal braces, only better, because they blend in with your teeth for a great look. We’re proud to offer some of the highest quality aesthetic braces on the market. They’re not only discreet, they’re virtually invisible, blending in with all shades of teeth.” They work in a similar way to traditional metal ‘train track’ braces, with the added benefit of being a less conspicuous alternative.
Many patients often ask ‘won’t comprehensive take a long time?’ The answer on this is that it depends on what we need to do, simple alignment and levelling of teeth can be completed in 6-9 months (this is the basis of short term orthodontics) but then to move a whole tooth forwards or backwards into gaps can take a further 6 – 9 months to a year depending on how far the teeth need to move. Therefore, conventional treatment can take 18-24 months, but can really only be accurately estimated once full examination and planning has been completed.
Read more about our teeth straightening options.
Checkout our standard prices or contact us today.
