Orthodontics
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialised area of dentistry that diagnoses and treats irregularities of the teeth and jaws. Treatment is conducted over a period of time using appliances attached to the teeth, guiding them into new positions with gentle pressure.
Can adults also benefit?
Although the ideal time to have orthodontics is whilst the patient is still growing, age need not be a barrier. Adults who missed the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment during childhood, or who have more recently developed problems, are now able to benefit from the improvements in technique and aesthetic materials, making orthodontic care acceptable whatever the age.
Alternative Treatments
The most popular alternative to traditional braces is by far Invisalign. We happily provide Invisalign treatments for patients who are looking for incredible teeth straightening results as well as the use of discrete, almost invisible aligners.
Invisalign in Exeter
Invisalign aligners are custom-made for each individual patient and are designed to gradually shift the teeth into the desired position over time. They are made of a smooth, comfortable plastic material and are virtually invisible when worn, which makes them a popular choice for patients who want to straighten their teeth without having to wear traditional metal braces.
Why should a tooth need to be root treated?
Deep inside every tooth is a pulp chamber and root canals that contain living tissue called the pulp. The pulp is often mistakenly referred to as the ‘nerve’, but in fact it contains a fine network of tissue fibres, nerves, and blood vessels. If a large cavity in a tooth reaches the pulp chamber, or if a tooth breaks, bacteria can reach the pulp. These bacteria damage the pulp and eventually destroy it. The root canals become infected and inevitably an abscess forms beneath the root of the tooth, in the jawbone.