During daily orthodontic practice, there are a number of common questions asked by patients, concerned parents and curious adults regarding the decision to align teeth with braces.
Questions tend to be related to whether there are any age limitations to braces, besides patients concerned with the visibility once fitted.
Dr Ali Mattar Dental Centre consultant orthodontist Dr Rohit Madan (MDS, Morth RCS Edin) specialises in imparting all types of orthodontic treatment options and is a gold provider of Invisalign.
Children usually start shedding their milk teeth and getting permanent teeth by age six or seven.
“This is a good time for your orthodontist to identify any developing dental/skeletal concerns,” he said.
“Occasionally, an early simple (phase one) interception can benefit the child immensely.
“It helps in simplifying the phase two orthodontic treatment which may be needed later, at around age 12.”
Simply speaking, braces apply a light pressure to teeth and help align them.
For younger patients with skeletal concerns, facial orthopaedic appliances can be used to modify their facial bone growth pattern.
Dr Madan said regardless of age it is the overall quality of oral health that determines if teeth can be aligned.
“A very high number of adult patients seek and benefit from orthodontics,” he said.
The visibility of braces is dependent on patient preference.
“Most children and many adults love the way traditional metallic colourful braces look and are excited to change the colours at every visit,” said Dr Madan.
“However, excellent, discrete and aesthetic options are available as well.”
Aesthetic options include clear braces, which are similar to traditional fixed braces and are made of transparent materials designed to show far less than metallic braces.
Popular global orthodontic trend Invisalign is another option.
Based on advanced 3D scanning/printing technology, Invisalign helps straighten teeth by using a number of customised, transparent and removable plastic trays (aligners) which are designed to apply light pressure to align teeth.
Every patient needs a different number of aligners which have to be changed every week until treatment is completed.
In addition, Lingual Braces are fixed but are completely invisible as they are fitted on the back surface of teeth.
Timely orthodontic treatment helps achieve not just a beautiful smile but also optimum oral functional health.
Remember, it’s never too early or too late to get an orthodontic check-up.
Dr Ali Mattar Dental Centre is located in Gudaibiya and is open Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 7pm.
Call 17714877 or 17715463 for appointments, or visit www.draliconsultgrp.com for further information.