When to have treatment?

For Under 16s

If you are worried about your teeth and how they are developing, it's advisable to get an appointment with an orthodontist. Your dentist is the person to ask. From the age of about seven, your orthodontist will be pleased to carry out an assessment and predict at what age treatment should start. Sometimes, early treatment is advised.

This is likely to involve a functional brace for the first phase of treatment. This is a removable brace which tackles the way your upper and lower teeth meet. It might help a receded jaw grow forward or narrow jaws grow wider. This phase can take from one to two years. The actual time depends on your speed of growth and how well you wear the appliance. The functional appliance should only be taken out for meals and for sport.

The most common age for the straightening phase of treatment is when the bulk of their second teeth are coming through, at about the age of 12. Orthodontics works best at this age because your teeth are already moving and natural development can be exploited.

Some people, who only need their teeth straightened, will have one phase of treatment and their orthodontics will last about two years, sometimes less, sometimes more. Those who have two phases of treatment may be wearing braces for longer.

No matter how long treatment takes, the reward is a wonderful smile and an improved profile.