Why Dental Bonding Is a Popular Cosmetic Option.

Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that can enhance your smile quickly. It’s also one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry options.

Tooth bonding is a popular cosmetic procedure because it can fix many minor dental imperfections, including:

• Cracked or chipped teeth.
• Stained or yellowed teeth.
• Gaps between teeth.
• Misshapen teeth.

Dental bonding produces instant results, with a tooth-coloured composite resin being bonded directly to the surface of a tooth to mask irregularities.

The Tooth Bonding Procedure

Tooth bonding entails attaching dental composite resin to a tooth and shaping it to restore or enhance the tooth’s original appearance. The colour of the resin is matched to your teeth, so appears natural.

Dental bonding can usually be done during one visit to your dentist, with a procedure that takes about 30 minutes per tooth and involves:

Minimal Preparation

Anaesthesia is usually unnecessary for tooth bonding unless you’re having a decayed tooth filled. Your dentist will use a shade guide to choose a composite resin shade to closely match the colour of the tooth.

The Bonding Process

Your dentist will:

• Clean the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid. This will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth.
• Apply the putty-like resin, and mould and smooth it to the desired shape.
• Use an ultraviolet light to harden the material.
• Trim and polish the hardened composite to match the rest of the tooth surface.

Looking After Bonded Teeth

Bonded teeth don’t require special care, and composite bonds can last for years and easily be repaired in the event of damage.

However, it’s important to bear in mind that habits like biting your fingernails or chewing on pens or ice can chip the bonding material, and you should continue to:

• Floss once a day
• Brush at least twice a day.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and professional cleanings.

Be aware, too, that bonding materials will stain faster if you smoke and/or drink a lot of tea, coffee, dark-coloured foods, or red wine. Acidic foods and drinks will also eat away at bonding material as well as tooth enamel.

Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding

Typically costing approximately a few hundred pounds per tooth, dental bonding is less expensive – and less invasive – than treatments such as veneers or crowns, and it’s more tooth enamel friendly.

Tooth bonding is a fast and effective way to fix minor cosmetic dental issues with a straightforward procedure.

Other advantages of dental bonding include:

• Convenience – typically just one dental appointment.
• Self-esteem – your bonded tooth or teeth will allow you to smile with confidence.

On the downside, composite bonding materials are not as strong as crowns or veneers, and will need maintenance.

Is Tooth Bonding Safe?

Infection from dental bonding is extremely unlikely. Before the bonding material is placed, your dentist will ensure any existing infection, decay or food debris is removed and the tooth sterilised.

Dental bonding material may in rare cases produce an allergic reaction in individuals highly sensitive to epoxy resin, but symptoms tend to clear up on their own without medical intervention after a few days.

Dental bonding also has a low risk of other side effects, although you might get some minor discomfort for a few days, such as sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.

How Long Does Tooth Bonding Last?

The average lifespan of composite bonding material is three to ten years before needing adjustments or replacement.

How long your tooth bonding will last largely depends on which area of the tooth is treated and how well you care for it. If the bonding is on the extremity of a tooth, it will be more affected by biting pressure, especially if you like hard, crunchy or chewy foods.

Is Dental Bonding Right for You?

Tooth bonding is primarily an aesthetic treatment for teeth that are basically healthy and in areas of low bite pressure, like your front teeth.

It’s a versatile cosmetic dental option that can be used to address a range of issues, and you can walk in your dental practice with unsightly teeth and walk out with a brand-new smile.

While dental bonding is a popular cosmetic option, it’s not a solution if you have an orthodontic problem such as misaligned teeth.

In other cases, porcelain dental veneers may be a better option – longer lasting but more expensive.One of our dentists experienced in cosmetic and orthodontic procedures can help you decide whether dental bonding is right for you.

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source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/why-dental-bonding-is-a-popular-cosmetic-option/

Spotlight on Professional Teeth Whitening

Advantages of Professional Teeth Whitening

 

Time and constant use take a toll on our teeth and can result in blemishes that take the shine off your smile. Some drinks and foods can stain our teeth, which can also become tarnished as part of the ageing process.

Professional teeth whitening provides a solution to restore your smile – and your self-confidence. Whitening products are available over the counter or online but many people choose to have their teeth whitened by a dental professional.

Key advantages of professional teeth whitening? It’s more effective and comfortable than products like DIY teeth bleaching kits.

Professional Teeth Whitening Vs Doing It Yourself

Ill-fitting DIY bleaching strips and gels and whitening trays may irritate your gums by leaking bleaching agent.

In 2019, the British Dental Association warned that over-the-counter and online products to whiten teeth could be “a waste of money” – less effective than professional treatment and taking longer, with the possibility of damage to teeth.

Professional whitening treatment removes stains from tooth enamel while lightening the colour of the underlying dentin.

A major advantage of professional teeth whitening is that the whole process is carefully monitored to ensure your safety, which enables the use of more powerful bleaching agents to achieve better results.

Dentists may also have access to technology such as ultra-violet (UV) lighting systems to intensify the whitening process.

What about whitening toothpastes? They may remove surface stains but most won’t lighten deeper discolouration or change the natural colour of your teeth, and they usually take several weeks to produce any visible results.

These toothpastes may also contain chemicals and abrasive materials that, like some bleaching kits, may be tough on tooth enamel.

What’s the Legal Position on Teeth Whitening Services?

The NHS and the General Dental Council (GDC) say teeth whitening is a form of dentistry that should only be carried out by GDC-registered dentists, dental hygienists or dental therapists.

In 2013, in a private prosecution (GDC v Jamous), the High Court confirmed that teeth whitening is a dental skill that can only be legally and safely offered by registered dental professionals.

The NHS specifically state that teeth whitening in a beauty salon by untrained staff or staff without dental qualifications is illegal, and also warns of potential oral health risks of DIY whitening kits.

What Causes Teeth Staining?

There are two types of teeth staining – extrinsic and intrinsic.

Extrinsic stains develop when dark-coloured residue from foods or drinks builds up on the protein film that covers dental enamel. Other causes of extrinsic staining are smoking and poor oral hygiene.

Intrinsic staining – beneath the surface of a tooth – is more difficult to correct. It can happen as we get older and causes teeth to appear yellow as enamel thins, allowing more exposure of dentin, which yellows naturally with ageing.

Some people – particularly older adults – have problems with both intrinsic and extrinsic staining.

Health Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic treatment and is only available on the NHS on medical grounds, such as a tooth that has become discoloured because the nerve has died.

However, professional teeth whitening brings oral health benefits as well as enhancing your appearance.

A good dentist won’t go ahead with teeth whitening without ensuring that your teeth and gums are healthy, and X-rays or digital scans may identify problems you were unaware of.

Another advantage of teeth whitening at the dentist’s is that you can get professional teeth cleaning ahead of the whitening process.

So, teeth whitening treatment by a dental professional will leave your teeth safer and whiter, and your dentist or dental hygienist can also advise you on how to keep your teeth clean and sparkling after whitening.

What Results Can I Expect from Professional Teeth Whitening?

The results of teeth whitening may vary from person to person and can last from a few months to a few years. Smoking and drinks such as tea, coffee and red wine will diminish the whitening effect faster.

A single laser whitening treatment typically takes around an hour to produce dramatic results, with teeth many shades whiter. You can also whiten at home with custom made trays moulded to fit your mouth, this normally takes two weeks of an hour day to get a great result.

Teeth whitening achieves significant results because it lightens both enamel and dentin, and the treatment is customised to your specific needs to provide the exact level of brightness you’re looking for, in the areas you want it most.

Other advantages of professional teeth whitening include:

• Greater reliability and consistency.
• Supervision with dentistry expertise to minimise risks and protect your mouth.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

Supported by a good routine of oral hygiene – brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily – professional teeth whitening is long-lasting and reliable.

Although professional whitening may cost more than a single over-the-counter whitening product, it can work out less costly in the long run – you may find you have to buy multiple whitening products before you see any results.

However, teeth whitening isn’t appropriate in some cases – if you have gum disease, for example, or for dentures, veneers, fillings or crowns.

A dentist who offers teeth whitening can tell you whether this is the right cosmetic treatment to restore your smile and self-assurance.

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source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/spotlight-on-professional-tooth-whitening/

What to Do in a Dental Emergency During the Coronavirus Crisis

Measures to slow the spread of coronavirus may make emergency dental emergency treatment less accessible.

Not only are dental practices no longer able to provide routine care, but levels of emergency treatment may also be reduced as many dentists redeploy to join the NHS frontline fight against COVID-19.

If you have a dental emergency and are showing no signs of coronavirus, phone your regular dentist for advice on your options.

If you have a dental emergency and have symptoms of COVID-19, access the NHS 111 service online – only phone 111 if you’re unable to get help online.

How You Can Help Yourself in a Dental Emergency

Because prompt treatment for an acute dental problem may be more difficult to find during the coronavirus crisis, it’s more important than ever that you know how to help yourself in a dental emergency.

Keeping calm and taking some simple steps ahead of your emergency treatment can help you get through the unfortunate experience by making it less of an ordeal.

You never know when you may suffer a sudden dental predicament, so we’ve put together some tips to help you look after yourself in a dental emergency during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) lockdown as you wait for your emergency appointment.

Here are some of the most common dental emergencies, and what you can do about them.

Toothache

Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol can ease toothache. If you have coronavirus symptoms, it may be advisable to avoid ibuprofen.

Using a fluoride toothpaste and cutting back on sugary foods can help to prevent toothache from getting worse.

You can also rinse your mouth with warm water and hold an icepack to your face. Don’t use a hot-water bottle or other source of heat – this will make things worse.

You could also try to floss around the tooth gently to dislodge any food debris that may have accumulated.

Bleeding from the Mouth

Blood in your saliva could be a sign of gum disease (periodontitis) so it’s crucial to maintain a good routine of oral hygiene to help counter the underlying infection.

Brush your teeth and gums twice a day, paying particular attention to the affected area. Floss daily to clean between your teeth.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Keep the tooth – it may be possible to have it put back in later. Handle it by the crown, not the root, which would damage the tissue that aids re-implantation.

If you can’t put the tooth back in place (without forcing it), put it in a small container of milk, or a cup of water with a pinch of salt.

Pain after Tooth Extraction

If you’ve recently had an emergency tooth extraction, discomfort can get worse after a few days. Take over-the-counter painkillers and rinse carefully with warm salt water after meals. If pain persists after a week, call your dentist.

Crown Falls Out

Save the crown for your dentist. If the tooth is painful, apply a small amount of clove oil to the affected area.

Try to put the crown back in place, using Toofypegs, or toothpaste to coat the inner surface to act as an adhesive. Never use superglue.

Mouth Ulcer

Use a treatment like Bonjela, especially before meals. Maintain good oral hygiene and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed.

Rinsing with salt water will help to combat infection, while a mouthwash like Difflam may help to ease pain.

Denture Problems

If your dentures have become loose, a denture fixative or denture pads may help. If your dentures are rubbing against your mouth, you may be able to use an emery board to smooth out rough bits and sharp edges.

Leave your denture out if it becomes too sore to wear.

How to Help Safeguard Yourself Against a Dental Emergency

While it’s vital to follow the guidelines on keeping yourself and others safe during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s also important not to overlook oral healthcare at home.

You can help to ensure effective oral hygiene by:

• Brushing your teeth and gums for at least two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush that fits your mouth comfortably.
• Rinsing your brush after use, storing it upright and allowing it to air-dry. Keep your toothbrush separate from others to prevent cross-contamination.
• Replacing your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months or sooner if the bristles begin to fray.
• Flossing between your teeth every day to remove food debris from areas your toothbrush can’t reach.
• Using an anti-bacterial mouthwash containing fluoride.

Easing the Stress of Your Dental Emergency

Knowing what to do in a dental emergency during the coronavirus crisis should take some of the stress out of the situation and help you to avoid panic.

Keep in mind that in most cases dental emergencies are far less severe than other urgent medical problems and discomfort is typically the issue rather than a serious threat to your health.

Bear in mind also that when things get back to normal, you’ll most likely need non-emergency dental treatment to completely resolve the problem that caused your dental emergency.

Meanwhile, please stay safe during these trying times.

The post What to Do in a Dental Emergency During the Coronavirus Crisis appeared first on Ridgwaydental.

source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/what-to-do-in-a-dental-emergency-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/

How Dental Veneers Can Improve Your Smile

The cosmetic dental treatment of choice among film stars, dental veneers can dramatically enhance your smile by concealing flaws such as chipped or stained teeth while giving the impression that your teeth are completely natural.

Dental veneers can also improve the smile of those with an uneven gum line – producing a tidier appearance more in proportion with the teeth.

Other embarrassing oral problems that veneers can fix include minor teeth crowding or gaps, and they can also be used to reshape teeth so they appear longer or squarer.

According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), veneers are an increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry option for people looking to improve their smile.

Shade determination with the help of a shade guide

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are tooth-coloured, ultra-slim, customised casings that are fixed onto the front of teeth to improve the appearance of your smile by masking minor cosmetic issues. They’re secured in place with dental glue after a small area of enamel is trimmed from the tooth surface.

Veneers resist staining better than natural teeth and need no special oral hygiene measures. While veneers are a primarily cosmetic treatment, they also protect the tooth from further damage.

Veneer treatment usually takes two or more appointments, depending on the complexity of the procedure, and your veneers can be fitted with little or no anaesthesia.

How Veneers Have Progressed to Give You an Even Better Smile Makeover

Veneers are at the forefront of the development of state-of-the-art procedures that are breaking new ground in aesthetic dentistry.

The original dental veneers – created in 1928 for a Hollywood film shoot – were primitive by today’s standards, consisting of an acrylic cap that stayed in place for just a few hours.

Veneers have evolved continuously since then, and cutting-edge technology behind modern veneers has made them more effective than ever, less costly, and a popular mainstream cosmetic dentistry option.

Today’s veneers have better bonding agents and are much thinner, allowing your dentist to preserve most of the structure of the tooth, and digital imaging helps to make veneers as near a perfect match as possible to your natural teeth.

Advances in dental technology have also paved the way for porcelain veneers that can improve your smile even more effectively.

Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers – also called dental laminates – are favoured over their composite counterparts because they’re more stain-resistant and look more natural.

Although in many forms – such as crockery – porcelain is a fragile material, the solid glass-like properties of medical-grade porcelain dental veneers give teeth a smile-enhancing protective surface that can last up to 15 years.

They’re so durable because external forces from everyday activities such as eating are transferred from the veneer onto the strong, rigid structure of the tooth itself, designed by nature and evolution to withstand constant wear and tear – the outer, protective enamel layer of a tooth is the hardest substance in the body.

Porcelain veneers resist wear resolutely and are impervious to temperature changes caused by hot or cold food and drinks. Any tooth sensitivity after porcelain veneer treatment is minimal and gradually fades quickly.

Besides durability, porcelain veneers offer several other advantages. They:

• Mimic the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth.
• Can make dark teeth appear lighter.
• Are tolerated well by gum tissue.

Do Veneers Take a Lot of Looking After?

Your dental veneers won’t require any special maintenance measures.

You should continue to brush and floss properly and regularly – a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush are recommended to avoid damage to the shells – and visit your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings with a veneer-friendly polish.

Bear in mind, though, that like teeth, veneers can be damaged by habits such as chewing on hard objects such as pens, pencils or ice, or biting your fingernails. 

If you suffer from bruxism – teeth grinding – a nightguard may help to protect your veneers and your teeth.

Want a Hollywood Smile?

If your teeth are showing signs of having seen better days but are still basically healthy, veneers could be the ideal cosmetic dental option.

If you choose dental veneers to improve your smile, you’ll be in good company. Many movie stars – including Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Jennifer Garner and Demi Moore – have had veneers fitted because significant results can be achieved fast.

Veneers can fix many unsightly dental defects to improve your smile and boost your self-confidence. Generally as thin as about half a millimetre, dental veneers can improve the appearance of teeth that are:

• Discoloured.
• Worn down.
• Chipped.
• Cracked.
• Mis-shapen.
• Gapped.
• Crowded.
• Slightly misaligned.

The most effective, comprehensive smile makeover may be achieved with a combination of porcelain veneers and professional teeth whitening – veneers for your more visible front teeth and whitening of surrounding teeth to create a uniform look.

The post How Dental Veneers Can Improve Your Smile appeared first on Ridgwaydental.

source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/how-dental-veneers-can-improve-your-smile/

Free Dental Braces? Can My Child Get Them?

Can My Child Get Free Braces?

If your child has developed an orthodontic problem, it may come as a shock to discover that free dental braces are no longer routinely available on the NHS. Cost-cutting measures have resulted in thousands of youngsters being denied free orthodontic treatment.

The cutbacks go back to 2000 when the Department of Health published a document called Modernising Orthodontic Services. This shake-up introduced a ranking system, with only the most serious orthodontic issues qualifying for free NHS treatment for under-18s.

Even if your child is approved for NHS orthodontics, the only treatment is with old-style fixed metal braces – popular state-of-the-art options such as less conspicuous, more comfortable, removable plastic aligners are out of the question unless you go private.

Which Children Do Get Free Braces?

The criteria for deciding whether your child can get free braces is based on a system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), which means that braces are only free in cases such as:

• Pronounced protrusion of upper or lower front teeth.
• Severe crowding of teeth.
• Many missing teeth.
• Impacted teeth – unable to emerge through the gums.
• Certain bite irregularities that cause problems with eating.

This rules out your child for free braces if they have less severe teeth protrusion or other “minor” irregularities.

In some borderline cases, NHS treatment may be available if your child’s orthodontic problem is deemed to be detrimental to their appearance. The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) says this reflects the NHS’s recognition that some youngsters need orthodontic care for aesthetic reasons.

Orthodontic Assessment Options

Free orthodontic treatment is available only to children with “a real clinical need” to have their teeth straightened.

Your child’s dentist can refer them for a free NHS orthodontic assessment, using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need system to determine whether straightening their teeth would be beneficial medically – or purely cosmetically.

Alternatively, you can send your child directly for private orthodontic assessment – you don’t need to be referred by your child’s dentist.

The British Orthodontic Society says children should have their first orthodontic evaluation from the ages of seven to 11, while their jaws and teeth are still developing.

How Long Does It Take to Get Free Braces?

If your child qualifies for free braces, you’ll likely find there’s a long waiting list for orthodontic treatment because of high demand and in some areas only a handful of NHS trained orthodontists.

According to the NHS, waiting times for free orthodontic treatment for children can vary from six months to two years or more. Other sources cite cases where children have had to wait six years to get braces.

These long waiting lists have resulted in many parents turning to private orthodontic treatment to avoid oral health issues that could otherwise plague their children into adulthood.

Even the NHS appears to encourage parents to seek private orthodontic therapy for their children, according to the Mail on Sunday, which in 2018 reported that at least 20,000 youngsters a year were being denied free treatment for severely crooked teeth.

Benefits of Private Orthodontic Treatment for Children

If your child has been denied free braces or you’re frustrated with seemingly endless NHS waiting lists, private orthodontic care offers multiple advantages, including:

• Fast treatment – no waiting list.
• Early intervention to avoid more serious orthodontic problems in later life.
• Correction of orthodontic issues not covered by the NHS.
• High level of aftercare that may not be available through the NHS.
• More flexible appointment times.
• Payment plans to help spread the cost of treatment.

While NHS orthodontic treatment for children is limited to highly-visible metal “train-track” braces, private orthodontic care offers a choice of discreet appliances, such as:

• Clear aligners like Invisalign – made from medical-grade clear plastic that, as the name suggests, is practically invisible. These aligners can be removed for meals and snacks, and for brushing and flossing, which can be tricky with fixed metal braces.
• Lingual braces – with brackets that fit subtly onto the back of teeth.
• Ceramic braces – with tooth-coloured brackets.

Crucial Role of Orthodontic Treatment for Children

The NHS says about one-third of children need orthodontic therapy but Department of Health rules deny treatment for thousands of youngsters with crooked teeth.

Misaligned teeth can damage self-regard as your child develops, and make oral hygiene difficult, posing an increased risk of tooth decay and gum infection.

Timely intervention by an orthodontic expert can spare your child from serious, long-term oral health problems and ensure that any treatment needed at a later age is less intensive.  Children’s orthodontics can also achieve results far better than those possible once their face and jaw are fully grown.

Early treatment of orthodontic problems is key to giving your child the self-assurance that comes with being able to show off their smile with confidence. It will also pave the way for a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth.

The post Free Dental Braces? Can My Child Get Them? appeared first on Ridgwaydental.

source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/free-dental-braces-can-my-child-get-them/

What’s the Best Age for My Child to Get Orthodontic Treatment?

As a parent, the wellbeing of your children is a critical consideration, and that includes their oral health. For instance, if you suspect they may be developing crooked teeth, you’re likely wondering whether there’s a right age for children to get orthodontic treatment such as braces.

According to the NHS, the best age for your child to get orthodontic treatment is around 12 or 13, when their mouth and jaws are still growing. The exact age your youngster should start wearing braces depends on the cause and complexity of the problem.

An early orthodontic appraisal enables timely treatment to lessen the risk of more severe issues in the future and simplify or possibly avoid further treatment. Immediate treatment isn’t always necessary but your child’s orthodontist can detect and monitor any potential problems.

Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Treatment

close up – bad crooked teeth of girl

Most children have a full set of baby teeth by three years old. By the time they’re five or six, they start to lose these milk teeth as they make way for their permanent, adult teeth. By the age of 12 to 14, they usually have all their permanent teeth, except for wisdom teeth.

As your child’s adult teeth emerge, you may become concerned about apparent irregularities – they may erupt at a skewed angle as they compete for space, for example. 

In many cases, these potential issues resolve themselves. As more permanent teeth erupt through the gums, they begin to settle and take on a more uniform appearance. 

However, about one-third of youngsters in the UK experience problems requiring orthodontic attention, and many of these issues are inherited. 

Signs your child may need orthodontic treatment include:

Early or late loss of baby teeth – before the age of five or after 14.

Teeth that don’t bite together properly

Thumb-sucking after the age of four.• Protruding teeth.

Teeth clenching or grinding.

Speech problems such as a lisp or slurring.

Crowded permanent front teeth.

Mouth-breathing and/or snoring.

Jaw out of proportion with the rest of the face.

Difficulties eating.

How Can Orthodontic Treatment Help My Child?

Orthodontic treatment is aimed at giving your child a healthy bite function, which entails correcting teeth alignment and jaw positioning issues. 

This will enable your child to eat and speak properly. It also promotes better oral health because straight teeth are easier to keep clean – avoiding problems such as tooth decay and gum infection – and less prone to injury.

Children’s orthodontic therapy also has cosmetic and emotional benefits. The resulting attractive smile as teeth, lips and face are brought into proportion improves self-confidence.

Early orthodontic treatment can help to:• 

Move teeth into the correct position as they emerge.

Guide growth of jaw bone.

• Reduce the risk of injury to teeth

Ensure adequate space for emerging teeth.

Lessen the likelihood of impaction – teeth getting stuck inthe gums.

Improve facial appearance.

Ensure adequate space for emerging teeth.

Lessen the likelihood of impaction – teeth getting stuck inthe gums.

Improve facial appearance.

Guide growth of jaw bone.

Reduce the risk of injury to teeth

Ensure adequate space for emerging teeth.

Lessen the likelihood of impaction – teeth getting stuck inthe gums.

Improve facial appearance.

Problems that children’s orthodontics can fix include

:Crooked teeth.

Crowded teeth

.Gapped teeth

Protruding teeth.

Malocclusion – various bite irregularities when the upper and lower teeth don’t come together properly.

Misaligned teeth can be particularly tricky for a child to keep clean – and effective oral hygiene from a young age is crucial to avoid problems such as cavities and gum problems.

Orthodontic Assessments for Children

Regular check-ups are essential so your child’s dentist can monitor the development of their teeth. If there are potential issues like teeth misalignment, their dentist can refer them for a free NHS orthodontic assessment, which uses a system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll qualify for free orthodontic treatment. NHS orthodontics is limited to cases like severe crowding or protrusion of teeth, and waiting lists are typically long – six months at the best. Treatment forissues deemed as more “cosmetic” are not generally available on the NHS.

You can also send your child directly for private orthodontic evaluation and treatment at any time.

The only orthodontic treatment provided free by the NHS is with traditional metal braces. Going private offers more options, including clear plastic aligners that are much less conspicuous and won’t make your child feel self-conscious. 

Getting Expert Help on the Timing of Your Child’s Orthodontic Treatment

Although orthodontics can straighten teeth at any age, therapy is typically more effective for children whose bones are still developing. 

Treatment often starts when most permanent teeth have emerged, around the ages of 10 to 14 but some children begintreatment as early as seven or eight.

This shows there’s no one-size-fits-all right age for children’s orthodontic care. The best age for your child to get orthodontic treatment depends on factors such as:• The type of orthodontic problem they have or may be developing.• Their stage of dental development. 

Some young patients may require tooth movement only, while others might need help with guiding the growth of their jaws.

The best person to advise you on the optimum time for your child to have orthodontic treatment is an experienced orthodontist.

…

source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/whats-the-best-age-for-my-child-to-get-orthodontic-treatment/

Why Parents are Bypassing Long NHS Waiting Lists for Children’s Orthodontic Treatment

W

Parents frustrated by seemingly endless NHS waiting lists for orthodontic treatment for children are increasingly turning to private orthodontists to ensure their youngsters get the oral health care they need when it will be most beneficial.

Orthodontic therapy works best before adolescence – while a child’s mouth is still growing and the jaw bones remain pliable before hardening during the late teen years.

However, the way the NHS system works may be preventing thousands of youngsters from getting free orthodontic treatment when they need it most.

An investigation by the Mail on Sunday in 2018 found that at least 20,000 children a year were being denied free braces to fix misaligned teeth.

The problem lies in how NHS Local Commissioning Teams control the contracts necessary for dentists to offer orthodontic services, which has led to insufficient NHS contracted orthodontic treatment to meet demand.

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) says all children who need orthodontic care should be treated at the “optimum time in their development” – on average at about the age of 12. Ironically, the NHS agrees that the best age to get braces is around 12 or 13, when children typically have a full set of adult teeth but their mouth and jaw are still developing.

Does My Child Need Orthodontic Therapy?

According to the NHS, about a third of children need orthodontic treatment to correct teeth and jaw irregularities. These problems include crooked, gapped or overlapping teeth, and malocclusion.

• Crooked teeth can cause cavities, bad breath, headaches, jaw problems and gum infection.
• Gapped teeth can put your child at greater risk of gum problems.
• Overlapping teeth can result in teeth becoming severely crooked.

Malocclusion refers to a bad bite, which includes:

• Crossbite, when upper teeth bite on the inside of lower teeth.
• Overbite (protruding teeth), when the front upper teeth overlap the lower front teeth.
• Underbite, when the lower teeth project beyond the upper teeth.
• Open bite, when the upper teeth don’t make proper contact with the lower teeth.

Without treatment, bite disorders can result in further oral health problems including cavities and tooth loss, gum disease, erosion of tooth enamel, and difficulties in speaking and/or eating.

Signs your child may need orthodontic therapy include:

• The teeth don’t come together properly when biting.
• Snoring and/or breathing through the mouth.
• Crowded or protruding front teeth.
• Biting or chewing difficulties.
• Speech impairment.
• Abnormal jaw movement when opening or closing the mouth.
• Difficulty cleaning their teeth.

How Long Will My Child Have to Wait for NHS Orthodontic Treatment?

Concerned mum trying to get NHS dental appointment for her son

NHS orthodontic therapy is free for under-18s with a clear medical need for treatment, but high demand means there can be long waiting lists, particularly in areas where trained NHS orthodontists are thin on the ground.

Even if your youngster qualifies for free orthodontic care, waiting times for treatment can range from six months to two years or more, according to the NHS.

In 2019, the BBC reported how one youngster in Wales had been waiting six years to get NHS braces.

Benefits of Private Orthodontic Care for Children

Timely treatment of issues with the development of the teeth or jaw in your child can avoid more serious oral health problems – and far more expensive treatment – in the future. Unfortunately, this may not be possible under the NHS.

Besides long waiting lists, another issue with NHS orthodontic therapy is lack of treatment options for your child.

The only NHS orthodontic therapy is with conventional fixed metal braces. This precludes other more advanced and less conspicuous options such as:

• Lingual braces like Incognito – with brackets fitted discreetly on the back of teeth.
• Ceramic braces – the same size and shape as metal braces but with tooth-coloured brackets that blend in with teeth.
• Clear aligners like Invisalign.

Apart from being practically invisible – made from transparent medical-grade polyurethane resin – Invisalign aligners can be removed for meals and snacks and allow for effective brushing and flossing, which is tricky with the wires and brackets of fixed braces.

Payment Options for Children’s Private Orthodontic Treatment

Young couple looking at an affordable dental plan for their child at Ridgway Dental

The cost of private orthodontic therapy for children varies according to factors such as the complexity of the case and the expertise and experience of the dentist, and treatment with aligners or lingual braces is more expensive.

Some private dental insurance plans provide orthodontic cover for children if the treatment is considered medically necessary, but most will only reimburse a percentage of the costs.

Some private orthodontic specialists strive to make treatment more affordable by offering free consultations and payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of treatment over monthly repayments, often interest-free.

What are Orthodontic Specialists?

An orthodontic specialist is a dentist who has typically completed at least three years’ further training in the field after dental school. This hospital-based programme involves both hands-on practice and theory.

Only dentists who have successfully completed this extra training or the equivalent can register with the General Dental Council (GDC) as a specialist in orthodontics.

NHS Vs Private Orthodontic Care for Children

Correcting orthodontic problems makes oral hygiene easier, which helps to prevent tooth decay and gum infection, and can have a huge impact on a child’s smile and self-confidence.

Due to lack of resources, the NHS cannot currently cope effectively with the number of children needing orthodontic care. This has resulted in long waiting lists that may deprive youngsters of orthodontic treatment at the optimum time of oral development.

Private orthodontic therapy provides an alternative for parents concerned about the long-term oral health of their children, and can resolve a wider number of problems with more treatment options.

source https://ridgwaydental.co.uk/why-parents-are-bypassing-long-nhs-waiting-lists-for-childrens-orthodontic-treatment/