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What is the Orthodontic Society of Ireland? Why choose a Specialist Orthodontist? Who or what is the Dental Council? Where can I get Specialist Orthodontic treatment? How can I find an Orthodontist? Is Orthodontic treatment worthwhile? What problems can be corrected through Orthodontic treatment? What is the best age to have treatment? What causes Orthodontic problems? What is the difference between braces and retainers? What does Orthodontic treatment cost? Is Orthodontic treatment painful?
What is the Orthodontic Society of Ireland? The Orthodontic Society of Ireland is the body that represents the majority of the Orthodontists in Ireland. Only dentists who are recognised as Orthodontists by the Dental Council can become full members of the Orthodontic Society of Ireland.
What is Orthodontics? Orthodontics is the specialised branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis & treatment of problems caused by poor alignment of the teeth & jaws, and is carried out using different types of braces.
What is an Orthodontist? An Orthodontist is a qualified dentist who has completed a further 3 years full time training on a specialist training programme that is recognised by the Dental Council.
Why choose a Specialist Orthodontist? Orthodontists are dentists who have completed, on average, 3 years of specialised training in how to diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities. Advanced and ongoing training enables specialist Orthodontists to provide their patients with the highest standard of treatment, leading to the best results. [ Back to Top]
Who or what is the Dental Council? The Dental Council is the body established by the Irish State to promote high standards of professional education and professional conduct among the dental profession. The Dental Council holds a list of all Specialist Orthodontists in Ireland. [ Back to Top]
Where can I get Specialist Orthodontic treatment? Orthodontic treatment is available from any member of the Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI). Some members of the OSI are be in private practice and some are employed by the HSE. The HSE provides Orthodontic treatment to those children who meet the HSE guidelines.
How can I find an Orthodontist? Check our "Find an Orthodontist" section on this website to locate a specialist near you. Alternatively, contact the Dental Council ( 01 6762069, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or www.dentalcouncil.ie ) to confirm if the dentist treating you is a Specialist Orthodontist.
Is Orthodontic treatment worthwhile? The value of a nice, healthy smile can never be underestimated.! ! [ Back to Top] What problems can be corrected through Orthodontic treatment?
Overcrowded teeth are the most common reason that people seek orthodontic treatment, followed by prominent or “buck” teeth. Specialist Orthodontists are trained to address a broad spectrum of dental and facial concerns [ Back to Top]
What is the best to have treatment? It is recommended that you bring your child for an orthodontic assessment at around 7 or 8 years of age. Occasionally some short intervention is beneficial at this young age to minimise or even sometimes eliminate the need for later treatment. Even if early treatment is not needed, seeing a child at a young age allows your orthodontist to monitor your childʼs development and then intervene at the optimal time to provide the nicest smile.
It is never too late to have treatment. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy there is no age limit to treatment. An increasing number of adults are availing of the benefits of orthodontic treatment
How long will treatment take? Your Orthodontist is the best person to tell you this. Some minor treatment can be completed in six months or less but may not treat the more complicated yet important aspect, such as the bite. Usually, orthodontic treatment involves wearing appliances (braces) for between 18 and 24 months, although some treatments may be shorter or longer. In more complex cases you may be required to wear more than one appliance.
How does it work? A qualified orthodontist evaluates the growth of a patientʼs face and jaws, as well as the alignment of his or her teeth. Then, using very gentle, controlled forces, the Orthodontist guides teeth into the correct position. During the final stage of treatment, the patient wears retention devices (retainers) to ensure that teeth remain in the proper place.
What causes orthodontic problems? Orthodontic problems are frequently inherited but can be exacerbated by factors such as early loss of baby teeth or sucking habits. [ Back to Top]
What is the difference between braces and retainers? Braces can be removable or fixed in the mouth. Removable braces are sometimes mistakenly called retainers, but strictly speaking retainers are only used to keep the teeth straight after the braces have finished their work. [ Back to Top]
What are invisible braces? “Invisible braces” do not exist. Fixed braces can be made less visible by using materials such as porcelain that match the tooth colour better or by placing them inside the teeth. A more recent development is the use of clear plastic materials that fit over the teeth but these are removable braces and, correspondingly, generally suffer from the lack of control that a fixed brace provides. [ Back to Top]
Can my dentist do my braces? Your Orthodontist is the best person to determine if a case is straightforward or not. Some dentists have an interest in orthodontics but only do a few orthodontic cases a week in between drilling and extracting, while an orthodontist is specially trained and works exclusively with braces.
It is a misconception that treatment provided by an Orthodontist is always more expensive than treatment provided by a family dentist. Treatment provided by an orthodontist is generally more comprehensive, bearing in mind that a fully qualified specialist is trained to a high standard. [ Back to Top]
What does Orthodontic treatment cost? There are many factors which influence the cost of treatment, including the severity of the problem and the type of braces used. Your Orthodontist can explain the cost of treatment in advance and it is usually possible to pay fees in installments.
It is a misconception that treatment provided by an Orthodontist is always more expensive than treatment provided by a family dentist. Treatment provided by an orthodontist is generally more comprehensive, bearing in mind that a fully qualified specialist is trained to a high standard. [ Back to Top]
Is Orthodontic treatment painful? The process of fitting braces is not painful. Some discomfort is to be expected for a period after appliances are fitted for the first time or after they have been tightened. However, this usually settles after a few days. [ Back to Top] |