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Fixed Braces

 

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Fixed braces consist of a series of small square attachments cemented to the teeth. These are known as brackets. It is simplest to think of each bracket as a handle with which it is possible to control each tooth individually. The brackets are highly sophisticated as every tooth has its own bracket design engineered to achieve the correct position and angle of axis.

We have very successfully used ceramic braces for many years as well as mini metal braces. The cosmetic ceramic brackets blend in with the colour of the teeth (see photo) and are used routinely in adults and when appropriate for young patients. Occasionally, ceramic brackets cannot be used on the lower teeth (when the bite is deep) but the mini metal braces are not usually obvious in these cases.

How are the brackets controlled?

In the early part of treatment, a flexible but springy wire is fitted to link up all brackets. Because the teeth are irregular, the wire has to bend up and down or in and out between the teeth. This is the clever bit: the wire has perfect shape memory and will gradually return to its original shape, bringing the teeth with it.
As treatment progresses, stiffer wires are fitted and these act as a monorail. At this time, the teeth are guided by tiny springs and elastics.

What are the advantages?
  • Speech is unaffected
  • The temptation of not wearing the appliance does not arise Fixed braces are supreme at fine tuning the way the teeth line up and bite together. Research has shown that patients are happier with their smiles after fixed brace treatment than after other forms of treatment
    • What about playing sport or musical wind instruments?
  • It is essential to wear a mouthguard when playing sports such as rugby or hockey, whether wearing a brace or not. We provide custom made mouthguards that fit over fixed braces.
  • The problem area for players of wind instruments is the inner surface of the lower lip. We provide low profile brackets for the lower front teeth in such cases with good success, even for professional musicians.

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    Before & After Gallery

     

    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces Before - Front
    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces After - Front

    The next six photographs are all before and after shots of the same patient who has extreme crowding, incorrect heights of the teeth and irregular slope.

    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces Before - Side
    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces After - Side

    The teeth are crowded and the middle upper teeth slope back towards the throat. This is unattractive because the teeth appears smaller than they really are and they do not give proper lip support.  Once corrected with fixed braces, as in the photograph on the right, the teeth are now straight and at the proper slope for the best smile when viewed at any angle. 

    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces Before - Inner
    Reigate Orthodontics - Crowding Braces After - Inner

    The teeth have been corrected using a fixed brace and are now held with an invisible fixed retainer.

     

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    Beautiful teeth from Reigate Orthodontics
    May I take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Robert for making my teeth look beautiful and straight for my wedding. Robert was friendly and explained everything to me really well. I'm delighted with the results. I received a 1st class attention from when I contacted your orthodontist and through all the treatment. A big thank you also to all the staff you were always pleasant, friendly, welcoming and made me feel so relaxed. Claire Padmore
    Lucy did an amazing job on my teeth as a teenager and then later, despite my numerous attempts to ruin them, she has managed to bring them back to their former glory. James
    "What a remarkable job you have done, I am happier than ever and smiling permanently due to your practice" Mr Pitters
    I just wanted to say a big thank you to Lucy for seeing me at such short notice yesterday to fix my retainer. She is always so lovely (as are all the staff) and I really enjoy all my visits there - I am really pleased with the improvement in my smile and am only sad that I generally now no longer need to visit regularly!! Linda W, June 2019