Orthodontic treatment The way that our teeth bite together is called the occlusion, and people who have crooked or crowded teeth have a malocclusion.
The branch of dentistry that specialises in aligning teeth is called orthodontics. Orthodontic treatment usually involves wearing an appliance (brace). This puts gentle pressure on specific teeth to move them into the right place.
At the initial appointment, your orthodontist will do a very detailed dental examination. If you have any decayed teeth, these will need to be treated by your family dentist before orthodontic treatment starts.
Orthodontic treatment usually takes between six months and two years, depending on the severity of the problem.5
There are different kinds of appliances. Some can be removed while others are fixed in place.
Removable braces are made of plastic and usually have wire clips and springs to move specific teeth. In most cases, they are used to move upper teeth. A removable appliance must be taken out to be cleaned, but it should be worn at all other times, including mealtimes and at night.
Fixed braces (sometimes known as "train tracks") cannot be removed. They are made of small brackets that are glued to the teeth and joined together with a wire. Fixed braces can be used on upper and lower teeth. Once the treatment is finished, the brackets and glue are cleaned off the teeth.
A relatively new type of orthodontic treatment allows teeth to be straightened using removable, see-through, plastic aligners (Invisalign). This treatment is only suitable for certain cases.
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