Frequently Asked Questions

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and correcting irregularities of the teeth and jaw, particularly in alignment and bite. They often use braces, aligners, and other dental appliances to straighten teeth, fix malocclusions (improper bites), and improve the overall function and appearance of a patient’s smile. Orthodontists undergo a minimum of 3 years additional training after dental school to specialise in this field.

At your first consultation with an orthodontist, the process typically includes:

1. Evaluation: The orthodontist will examine your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment, possibly taking X-rays, photographs, or impressions of your teeth.

2. Discussion: They’ll discuss any issues they’ve identified, explain potential treatment options, and answer any questions you have.

3. Treatment Plan: If treatment is needed, the orthodontist will outline a recommended plan, including the type of braces or aligners, estimated duration, and costs.

This visit helps you understand your orthodontic needs and what to expect moving forward.

The duration of orthodontic treatment varies based on several factors, including the complexity of your case, the type of treatment, and how well you follow your orthodontist’s instructions. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Traditional Braces
– Mild cases: 12-18 months
– Moderate to complex cases: 18-30 months

2. Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign):
– Mild cases: 6-12 months
– Moderate cases: 12-18 months
– Complex cases: 18-24 months

Factors like age, oral health, and adherence to wearing aligners or elastic bands also play a role. For the most accurate estimate, your orthodontist will discuss the timeline based on your specific needs at your initial consultation.

The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary widely depending on the type of treatment, the complexity of the case, and the specific brace which is used. Here’s a general breakdown of the costs:

1. Traditional Metal Braces:
Cost: €3,000 mild case
€5,500 complex case( pre-surgical orthodontics)

2. Clear/Ceramic Braces: We don’t charge any additional cost for clear or ceramic brackets
Cost: €3,000 mild case
€5,500 complex case(pre-surgical orthodontics

4. Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign, Angel Aligners)
Cost: €4,000 mild case
€5,500 complex case

5. Retainers (post-treatment):
Cost : €80 per retainer

Consultation Fee: A consultation fee of €100 is charged, which is deducted off the total cost of your orthodontic treatment, if you decide to proceed with treatment within 6 months of the consultation.
Payment Plans: We offer payment plans to spread out the cost over the course of treatment.

Tax Relief: You may be eligible for tax relief on orthodontic treatments through the Med 2 form, which can help reduce the overall cost.

These prices are general estimates, so it’s advisable to consult with your orthodontists to get a more precise quote based on your specific needs at your consultation.

Orthognathic surgery is a type of corrective jaw surgery that involves repositioning the upper jaw (maxilla), lower jaw (mandible), or both to correct a range of skeletal and dental irregularities. These abnormalities can affect chewing, speaking, breathing, and facial appearance. The procedure is often performed in collaboration with orthodontic treatment to correct issues such as misaligned jaws, overbites, underbites, or open bites.

Orthognathic surgery is typically recommended for patients when less invasive methods, such as braces alone, cannot adequately correct the problem. The surgery is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and may require a period of recovery, including dietary restrictions and follow-up care to ensure proper healing and alignment.

Some common reasons for orthognathic surgery include:
– Severe jaw misalignment
– Obstructive sleep apnea
– Difficulty chewing
– Facial asymmetry or deformities

It’s common to experience some mild discomfort or pain with braces, especially right after they are first applied and after each adjustment. However, this discomfort is usually temporary and manageable. Here’s what you can expect:

1. After Getting Braces
– When braces are first applied, you may feel soreness or tenderness in your teeth and gums for a few days to a week. This is because your teeth are beginning to adjust to the pressure from the braces.
– Your cheeks, lips, and tongue might also feel irritated as they get used to the brackets and wires. And you will provided with orthodontic wax to reduce the irritation until your mouth gets used to the braces

2. After Adjustments:
– Each time your braces are adjusted (usually every 4-6 weeks), you may experience similar discomfort as your teeth continue to move.
– The discomfort after adjustments typically lasts for a day or two.

3. Managing the discomfort
– Over-the-counter pain relief: Medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help alleviate pain.
– Orthodontic wax: Applying orthodontic wax to the brackets can reduce irritation to the inside of your mouth.
– Soft foods: Stick to soft foods like soups and mashed potatoes to avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth.
– Saltwater rinses: Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater can help soothe sore gums.

While braces can cause some discomfort, it’s important to remember that this is a normal part of the process, and the pain should subside as you get used to your braces. If the pain is severe or doesn’t go away, it’s a good idea to consult your orthodontist.

Yes, you can eat normally with braces, but you will need to make some adjustments to your diet to protect your braces and teeth. Certain foods can damage your braces, cause discomfort, or make it difficult to keep your teeth clean.

Here are some guidelines to help you eat normally while protecting your braces:

Foods to Avoid:
– Sticky Foods: Chewing gum, caramels, and toffees can stick to your braces.
– Hard Foods: Nuts, popcorn, hard candy, ice, and raw vegetables (like carrots) can break or bend your braces.
– Chewy Foods: Bagels, licorice, and tough meats can pull on your braces.
– Crunchy Foods: Chips, pretzels, and hard tacos can get stuck in your braces.
– Sugary Foods: Limit sweets and avoid sugary drinks to reduce plaque buildup around the brackets.

Safe Foods:
– Soft Foods: Pasta, scrambled eggs, yogurt, smoothies, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables are easier to eat.
– Cut or Break Food into Smaller Pieces: For foods like pizza, bread, or apples, cut them into smaller pieces to avoid putting too much pressure on your braces.
– Lean Meats: Chicken, fish, and soft cuts of meat are generally safe to eat when cooked properly.
– Dairy Products: Cheese, milk, and soft cheese can be part of your diet.

Following these tips will allow you to enjoy a balanced diet without harming your braces. Always remember to brush carefully after meals to keep your teeth and braces clean.

Cleaning your teeth with braces requires a bit more care and attention to ensure that food particles, plaque, and bacteria don’t build up around the brackets and wires. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you maintain good oral hygiene with braces:

1. Rinse with Water Before Brushing
Before brushing, rinse your mouth with water to help loosen any food particles stuck around your braces. This can make brushing more effective.

2. Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush or Electric Toothbrush
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush to avoid damaging your braces. Brush gently but thoroughly.
Technique: Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line, and then above and below the brackets to clean all surfaces of your teeth and braces.

3. Brush for 2-3 Minutes
Brush your teeth for at least two to three minutes, ensuring that you clean every tooth and the brackets. Focus on brushing all surfaces: the fronts, backs, and chewing surfaces.
Don’t forget to brush your gum line and the area above and below the brackets.

4. Use an Interdental Brush
An interdental brush (or proxy brush) is a small brush designed to clean between your braces and teeth. Use it to clean hard-to-reach areas, especially around the wires and brackets.
Gently insert it under the wire and between your teeth to remove debris.

5. Floss Daily
Flossing with braces can be tricky, but it’s important for removing plaque and food particles between your teeth.
Floss Threaders: Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to help guide the floss under the wires. Once threaded, floss between your teeth as usual, being careful around your braces.
Water Flosser: Consider using a water flosser (oral irrigator) to make flossing easier. The water pressure helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and around your braces.

6. Use Fluoride Mouthwash
Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash after brushing and flossing to strengthen your teeth and help prevent cavities. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid irritating your gums.

7. Brush After Every Meal
Since food can easily get trapped in your braces, it’s important to brush after every meal to prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
If you’re not able to brush right away, rinse your mouth with water to dislodge food particles.

8. Check Your Teeth in the Mirror
After brushing and flossing, check your teeth in the mirror to ensure you’ve removed all food particles and cleaned thoroughly.

9. Regular Dental Checkups
Visit your dentist and orthodontist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. They can ensure that your teeth and braces are being properly maintained.

By following these steps consistently, you can keep your teeth healthy and clean throughout your orthodontic treatment, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and stains around your braces.

When you have braces, you’ll need to visit your orthodontist regularly to ensure your treatment progresses as planned. Typically, orthodontic visits are scheduled every 4 to 8 weeks, but this can vary depending on your specific treatment plan and your orthodontist’s recommendations.

What Happens During These Visits?
Adjustments: Your orthodontist will adjust your braces by tightening or changing the wires, bands, or other components to keep your teeth moving in the right direction.
Progress Monitoring: They’ll check the alignment of your teeth and make sure everything is progressing as expected.
Repairs: If any part of your braces is damaged or broken (e.g., a loose bracket or broken wire), they’ll repair it during your visit.
Hygiene Check: Your orthodontist may also assess your oral hygiene to ensure you are properly cleaning your teeth and braces.

If you experience any issues between your regular appointments, such as a broken wire, loose bracket, or discomfort, you should schedule an extra visit with your orthodontist. Don’t wait for your next scheduled appointment if something feels wrong.

Overall, attending these regular checkups is essential for keeping your braces working properly and ensuring that your treatment stays on track.

Yes, you still need to see your general dentist regularly during orthodontic treatment. Even though your orthodontist is managing your braces, your general dentist is responsible for your overall dental health, including preventive care and treatment for issues like cavities or gum disease.

Yes, you still need to see your general dentist regularly during orthodontic treatment. Even though your orthodontist is managing your braces, your general dentist is responsible for your overall dental health, including preventive care and treatment for issues like cavities or gum disease.

1. Preventing Cavities and Gum Disease: Braces can make it harder to clean your teeth thoroughly, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease. Your dentist will help monitor and address any signs of decay or gum issues.

2. Professional Cleanings: Regular cleanings are essential to remove plaque and tartar buildup that can accumulate around your braces, even with good oral hygiene at home.

3. Fluoride Treatments: Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel and help protect your teeth from decay during orthodontic treatment.

4. Early Detection of Problems: Your dentist can spot and treat any dental issues early, preventing them from worsening and affecting your orthodontic progress.

Every 6 Months: The general recommendation is to visit your dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. However, if you have specific concerns or your dentist recommends more frequent visits, you may need to go more often.

Regular visits to your general dentist, along with your orthodontic checkups, will help ensure that your teeth stay healthy throughout your orthodontic treatment.