Orthodontist Consultation Letterkenny

Orthodontics is the specilalist type of dentistry which deals with irregularities of the teeth and jaws. Orthodontists are registered specialist dentists who practice orthodontics. They have undertaken specialist post graduate training of at least 3 years and usually 6 years, to gain this specialist status. Very simply, orthodontic treatment is done by applying gentle forces to teeth and jaws in a very controlled way to improve the alignment and appearance of a patient’s teeth. There are many types of appliances that can be used and there is often a choice of treatments that may be suitable for any given problem. Teeth move best with very light steady forces. To achieve the best results this process should not be rushed but should be done with several visits and a slowly but surely approach.

There are several types of Orthodontic appliance. We use the very best quality materials available and only use them once! 

All orthodontic patients will need to wear retainers after treatment. If you do n’t, the teeth could move! The risk of this movement will get less slowly with time. The position of the teeth will need to be supported while the bone and soft tissue round the teeth remodels to the new position. If the teeth are not held the teeth will ‘spring’ back a little in the first few weeks. It takes up to 9 months for the bone and gums to fully settle with the teeth in the new position. Even after this time the teeth will need to be held to prevent movement, but not quite as much. Ever so slowly, the control can be reduced in most patients until the retainers can be thrown away. This could take several years. Some patients will have to wear retainers for ever. For growing patients the retainers should be worn in some form until facial growth has finished. In females this could be 18 or 19 years old. In males this could be 20 or 21 years old.