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Braces for adults


As described, the choice of invisible braces now available has meant that more and more adults are opting for orthodontic treatment for cosmetic reasons.

Some of the more common reasons adults come to us for braces are summarised as follows:
  • to improve the appearance of the teeth and face. Perhaps your teeth have become more crowded with age or have started to drift following gum disease
  • to move teeth prior to crown, bridgework or implant work
  • to improve the health of the teeth and gums
  • to improve function i.e. to make it easier to eat


Is it always possible to have braces as an adult?


This depends on the type of bite you have, the position of your teeth and the condition of both your teeth and gums. For instance if you have active gum disease, it is important this is brought under control before having a brace. Essentially adults can be treated at any age as long as the gums and bone holding the teeth are healthy.

Contact us today to request additional information about braces for adults or to arrange an initial consultation with our braces specialist (known as orthodontists) here at the Share a Smile orthodontic practice located in Romford, Essex.


Braces for children


We believe that all children should see an orthodontist at an early age. This could be as young as 2 or 3, but generally a child should have an initial consultation no later than age 7.

Advantages of early treatment


By age 7, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred, that problems can be identified. Early consultation allows orthodontists to determine the optimum time for treatment to begin.

Many parents and some family dentists assume that they must wait until a child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find out that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier.

Early treatment can eliminate the need for more drastic measures. In some cases, satisfactory results are unattainable once the face and jaws have finished growing. With proper timing, children may not have to endure years of embarrassment.

Early treatment provides the opportunity to:
  1. guide the growth of the young jaw bones creating a better environment
    2. for those new emerging permanent teeth
  2. guide incoming teeth into optimal positions
  3. regulate the width of the jaws
  4. lower the risk of trauma to prominent front teeth
  5. correct harmful sucking habits
  6. reduce the likelihood of teeth becoming stuck or impacted under the gums
  7. preserve or gain space for arriving permanent teeth


When should I look for the early warning signs of a bad bite?


It is most important to examine your child's teeth as the permanent teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, there are some averages for permanent tooth arrival.

Some signs that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination:
  1. early or late loss of baby teeth
  2. difficulty chewing or biting
  3. crowding, malpositioned, or blocked out teeth
  4. jaws that shift or make sounds
  5. biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
  6. teeth that do not meet at all
  7. jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
  8. finger sucking or pacifier habits continued beyond the age of six


Contact us today to request additional information about braces for children or to arrange an initial consultation with our braces specialist (orthodontist).
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