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Braces in Swansea

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Improve your smile with our effective, traditional braces in Swansea 

Braces are one of the most common treatments worldwide. Around 45% of people will need braces at one point in their life, whether it’s to straighten misaligned teeth or treat a hidden problem. 

Here at Swansea Dental Practice, we’ve treated hundreds of patients using traditional braces. Our founder, Dr Scott Speirs, is one of the leading dentists when it comes to braces in Swansea — Dr Speirs specialises in orthodontic treatments like braces and has helped both children and adults alike to achieve the perfect smile. 

We can treat a wide range of problems like crooked teeth, overbites, underbites and more. Just give us a call on (02) 4971 1432 to book a consultation — we’ll take a closer look at your teeth, bite and jaws to determine the next logical steps to improve the appearance and health of your smile.

Why do I need braces?

There are a number of reasons why your dentist may have recommended braces. Here are some common conditions where braces are used for treatment: 

  • Gaps between the teeth due to abnormal growth in the jaw bone
  • Overbites where the upper teeth bite too far forward over the lower teeth
  • Underbites where the lower teeth bite too far forward over the upper teeth
  • Open bites where the front teeth fail to make contact, even when the back teeth are biting together
  • Crowded or overlapping teeth where there is simply a lack of room in the jaw
  • Crossbites where the upper or lower jaws are out of alignment, causing some of the upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth. 

Many patients choose Invisalign over traditional braces — however, Invisalign might not be the best treatment option if your case is quite severe. If this is the case, your dentist will recommend traditional braces for the best possible outcome of your treatment. 

How are braces put on?

The process of putting braces on your teeth is actually very simple. If your teeth are very close together, your dentist will invite you to come in a week before the procedure to place spacers (rubber bands) between your teeth to ensure there’s enough space for the bands to fit around the back of your teeth. 

On the day of the procedure, your dentist will thoroughly clean and dry your teeth before putting on the braces. The next step is to glue the metal brackets onto the front surface of your teeth — this is what holds the wires in place on your teeth. 

To anchor the braces, your dentist will then place metal bands around your back molars and then attach the archwires using little rubber bands around each bracket. This is the fun part — you get to choose what colours you’d like around the brackets! 

Your dentist will finally trim the archwires so they don’t cut the inside of your mouth. 

FAQs about braces in Swansea

  • How long does it take to get braces put on?

    Generally speaking, it takes around one to two hours to have braces attached to your teeth. However, this time can vary based on the severy of your condition.

  • How long do I have to wear braces?

    Again, it depends on the severity of your condition. If the braces are only treating a few small gaps or crooked teeth, you might only have to wear them for a few months. However, for more severe cases, you might be wearing them for up to 36 months.

  • Does getting braces hurt?

    The procedure itself shouldn’t hurt at all. There might be a bit of uncomfortable maneuvering but it’s shouldn’t be painful. A few days after the braces are attached, you’ll feel a few aches and pains — your teeth have started slowly moving into the correct position. You might also experience a few cuts and sores in your mouth from the metal brackets.

    We recommend eating soft foods for a few days and rinsing your mouth with salty water to help treat the sores. You’re simply getting used to the braces — this will take a little while, but in a few short months you’ll forget that they’re there at all.

  • How early should I book orthodontic treatment for my child?

    Your child should see a dentist for orthodontic treatment (or at least a check-up) when they’re around seven years old. By seven, all of your child’s baby teeth (or at least most of them) should have been pushed out and replaced with their adult teeth. This is an excellent time to see the dentist and ensure their teeth, bite and jaw are normal.

  • How do I know if my child needs orthodontic treatment?

    There are a few telltale signs that your child needs to see the dentist sooner rather than later. For example, if your child is losing teeth prematurely due to cavities or trauma, it’s time for medical intervention. You should also watch out for the following issues:

    • Snoring or breathing through their mouth
    • Teeth don’t meet when your child bites
    • Protruding and/or crowded teeth
    • Difficulties with biting and chewing
    • Thumb sucking from a young age
    • A family history of impacted/missing teeth.

  • Can adults get braces?

    Of course! There’s no age boundary when it comes to getting braces in Swansea so long as you have healthy teeth and a strong, sturdy jaw bone. If your case is severe, you might need oral surgery — your teeth have stopped growing, so it can be harder to achieve certain structural changes. Your dentist will advise whether surgery is required. 

  • Are braces expensive?

    Braces are a major orthodontic treatment so naturally, they’re going to cost more than your bi-annual clean and check-up. The price varies based on the condition of your teeth, bite and jaw bone, as well as your own individual needs.

    However, it is important to note that traditional braces are cheaper and more effective than other orthodontic treatment methods like Invisalign. Nine times out of 10, our dentists will recommend braces in Swansea.

  • Will Medicare cover my braces?

    Unfortunately, orthodontic treatments are not covered under Medicare even under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. If you need assistance paying for your braces in Swansea, we recommend looking into a private health fund — be sure to check that braces are covered under your policy.

Contact us to book a consultation today

Interested in getting braces in Swansea? Give us a call on (02) 4971 1432 to book a consultation. Our experienced dentists will review the condition of your teeth, bite and jaw, then determine the next steps to improve your smile.

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