Straighten your smile with traditional dental braces in Swansea
Braces for teeth are one of the most common and effective treatments for improving your smile. Around half of all people will need dental braces at some stage — either to correct crooked teeth or to fix bite issues that affect oral health.
At Swansea Dental Practice, we’ve helped hundreds of patients achieve straighter, healthier smiles using braces. Our founder, Dr Scott Speirs, is one of Swansea’s most experienced braces dentists, with extensive experience in orthodontic treatments for both adults and children.
Whether you need to correct crowded teeth, crooked teeth, or bite alignment problems, our friendly team can help. Call (02) 4971 1432 to book a consultation — we’ll examine your teeth, jaws, and bite to create a personalised treatment plan to improve both your dental health and your confidence.
Why you might need braces
Braces work by applying gentle, constant pressure to move your teeth into their desired position. Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend braces for teeth if you have:
- Gaps between teeth caused by uneven jaw growth
- 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 don’t meet when biting down
- Crowded or overlapping teeth where there is simply a lack of room in the jaw
- Crossbites that cause some upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth
While some patients opt for clear aligners, traditional braces remain the best option for more complex orthodontic cases. Your dentist will explain which types of braces — metal or ceramic, are most suitable for your needs.
How dental braces are fitted
Getting braces put on is a simple and comfortable procedure.
If your teeth are very close together, your dentist may place small spacers between the back teeth a week before fitting to create enough room for the dental bands.
On the day of treatment:
- Your dentist will clean and dry your teeth
- Small metal brackets are glued to the front of each tooth.
- Metal bands are fitted around the back teeth for support.
- A thin wire is attached through the brackets using colourful dental bands.
- The wire is trimmed so it doesn’t irritate your mouth.
The entire process usually takes around one to two hours, depending on the number of teeth being treated.
Your dentist will finally trim the archwires so they don’t cut the inside of your mouth.
FAQs about braces in Swansea
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cost and payment options
The cost of braces varies depending on your treatment plan and the type of braces chosen.
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover orthodontic treatment — even under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. However, many private health funds include orthodontic cover, so it’s worth checking your policy to see what benefits may apply.
Book your braces consultation in Swansea
Ready to start your journey to a straighter smile? Contact Swansea Dental Practice on (02) 4971 1432 to book your consultation. Our experienced dentists will examine your teeth and create a tailored plan to help you achieve a confident, healthy smile.