Orthodontics

A mouth full of straight, healthy teeth gives one the freedom to lead with a smile. And our full treatment menu of orthodontic services can help patients achieve just that! At ADI, we offer a orthodontic menu, including Invialign, ClearCorrect,  and interceptive orthodontics, which can improve the overall look of your mouth and teeth, while also helping you to bite, chew, and speak more effectively.

Orthodontics is a highly-specialised field of dentistry which focuses on correcting improperly positioned teeth and jaw irregularities. This specialisation is focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, such as misalignments of the teeth and jaws.

While orthodontics primarily deals with the straightening of teeth, an orthodontist can also assist with painful and misaligned bites, tooth movement caused by habits such as thumb-sucking; and help to reduce gaps, and even some forms of sleep apnoea. Dr Naidoo will diagnose, prevent, and treat teeth and jaw irregularities, with the use of specialist devices including braces and headgear – to help you perfect your smile.

Orthodontic treatments vary according to specific patient needs. This may involve arch expansion and growth modification using removable appliances (like retainers), as well as fixed orthodontic appliances (braces) or invisible braces for bringing teeth into good functional and aesthetic alignment.

The most widely used orthodontic treatment is braces:

  • Traditional Braces
  • Invisible brace/Invisalign/clear path aligners

The process of being fitted with an orthodontic appliance begins with your orthodontist determining which is best suited for your mouth and oral requirements. If braces are required, the first step is placing little brackets on your teeth and bonding them to the tooth with a special adhesive. Metal bands are then applied to the back teeth, and wires are placed inside the brackets.

When you are fitted, your appliance will be fine-tuned by your orthodontist or dentist to apply slight pressure on your teeth, so they move in the desired direction. Because your teeth will move during treatment, you will need to have adjustments from time to time.

Braces are dental tools that help correct problems with your teeth, like crowding, crooked teeth, or teeth that are out of alignment. While many  people usually get braces when they’re teenagers, it’s become more common in recent years for adults to get them too. As you wear them, braces slowly straighten and align your teeth so you have a normal bite.

There are various braces types to consider for your orthodontic journey:

Metal/traditional braces: These braces are made out of metal, and include brackets that are bonded to the front of your teeth, as well as flexible wires or arch wires that hold the brackets. Some braces also include rubber bands or metal ties that link the brackets to the wire. These bands create more pressure to help straighten and align your teeth.

Ceramic braces: For those concerned with aesthetics, the brackets in traditional braces are now also made in tooth-coloured ceramic, making them almost unnoticeable. They work in the same way as metal braces, but are more discreet and less visible. However, these braces are also slightly larger than metal braces, and can stain – depending on one’s diet and brushing habits.

Lingual braces: Lingual braces are the most specialised orthodontic system on the market. The brackets on these braces are attached to the backs of your teeth, facing your tongue – which makes them harder to see.

Clear aligners: Also known as ‘invisible braces’, these are clear plastic trays that fit snugly onto your teeth. They use pressure to gently move the teeth into the correct positions, and straighten your smile. Patients remove the aligners to eat, brush, or floss, but are required to keep them in their mouths for at least 22 hours each day for them to work.

Invisalign is a popular brand of clear aligners, and is great for patients who had braces when they were younger and just need a ‘touch up’, as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems.

The paradigm of orthodontic treatment is best suited for patients who seek treatment as early as possible. It is best to correct the teeth and the anatomy of the face while the jawbone is still growing – which is why it’s recommended for children and teenagers to be fitted with orthodontic devices from a young age.

People might need orthodontic treatment for:

  • Crooked and protruding teeth
  • A bad bite
  • A poorly aligned jaw
  • Gaps between the teeth
  • Problems with speaking, breathing or chewing

An orthodontist can also assess children’s developing teeth and jaws, and help manage thumb-sucking habits.

NOTE: Patients who have moderate to severe periodontitis (gum disease), mobile teeth, certain bone disease brittle bone disease, osteopetrosis, etc can not be considered for orthodontic treatment. Such cases require resolution of the underlying disease first and the patient is deferred for treatment until then.

The removable teeth straightening solutions available at ADI

If you’ve been considering braces but having something fasted to your teeth isn’t ideal for your lifestyle, then removable orthodontic solutions are what you need.

ClearCorrect:

ClearCorrect is a modern orthodontic treatment that utilises clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. The process involves creating a customised series of aligners based on digital scans of the patient’s teeth.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually shift teeth into their desired positions. These invisible aligners change every two weeks to accommodate teeth shifting. Invisalign treatment begins with a 3D intraoral scan, digital x-ray, and digital dental photography of the patient’s teeth, which is used to create a precise digital treatment plan.

Why Removable Options Are Preferred

Aesthetic Appeal: Removable options like Invisalign and ClearCorrect are preferred over traditional braces because of their discreet appearance. Many patients, particularly adults and teenagers, like the subtlety of clear aligners over the conspicuousness of metal braces.

Convenience: Removable aligners offer greater convenience regarding oral hygiene and dietary habits. Patients can easily remove the aligners to brush, floss, eat, and drink without the restrictions imposed by traditional braces.

Comfort: Removable aligners are typically more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. They are made from smooth plastic with no sharp edges or protruding wires.

Predictable Treatment: Digital treatment planning used in removable options allows for precise and predictable outcomes, giving patients confidence in the effectiveness of their orthodontic treatment.

Overall, the preference for removable options like Invisalign and ClearCorrect over traditional braces is driven by their superior aesthetics, convenience, comfort, and predictability of results. These modern orthodontic treatments have transformed the orthodontic experience for patients, offering a more comfortable and discreet alternative to traditional braces.