Metal braces are made of stainless steel and are fixed onto teeth. The archwire applies gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their correct positions. Coloured elastic ties are used to tie the archwire in place. This is the most popular treatment option for young children and teenagers. They are used to straighten crooked teeth, closes gaps, correct bite problems (underbite, protruding teeth). They are also used in patients with impacted teeth and missing teeth.

Clear braces are made of clear materials such as ceramic or plastic. In our practice, aesthetic archwires (archwires with white coating) are used in the initial alignment stage of braces. This makes the clear braces even less noticeable. It is a more popular choice of braces for adults.

Removable appliances (plates) are removable plates that use wire springs or screws to move teeth. They are limited to simple tooth movements, like crossbites (upper front teeth sitting behind lower front teeth) or deep bite in growing children. They are most commonly used in children who are yet to lose all of their baby teeth.

Functional appliances (double jaw plates) are devices use to correct a significant discrepancy in the relationship between the upper and lower jaws. They encourage the forward growth of a retrusive or ‘under developed’ lower jaw. They work by holding the lower jaw in a forward position over an extended period of time (typically 9 to 12 months) to allow the lower jaw to grow as far forward as possible. As functional appliances try to influence jaw growth. They are used in growing patients.

Maxillary expansion appliances are used to widen an upper jaw which is too narrow to fit the width of the lower jaw. They are either fixed or removable.

Invisalign (sequential plastic aligners) is a series of clear removable plastic aligners used to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets. As you replace each aligner with the next in  the series, your teeth will move, little by little, week by week, until they have straighten to the final prescribed position. These aligners can align teeth but, as yet, they cannot correct significant bite discrepancies.