NHS treatment is available to eligible patients aged under 18 years and is intended to provide treatment for those patients who require it on the grounds of health. This is assessed by using a scale called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN).
Patient must be referred by a Dentist (whether by letter or on-line)
Patient has to be under 18 on date of assessment, have good oral hygiene and no active decay.
We will see new patients under 10 years old, but often treatment is not indicated until sufficient adult teeth have erupted.
We attempt to see new patients for assessment with 8 weeks of receiving their referral, however this may vary during the year
At assessment patients you will meet an orthodontist, be examined (possibly have some x-rays taken) and checked to confirm you meet the NHS Criteria for treatment under the NHS
This appointment normally takes 10-15 minutes
We will explain what treatment is required and the likely appliance(s) that may be required.
Often extraction of permeant teeth are required along with use if fixed metal braces
If they qualify for treatment you will be placed on the treatment waiting list. The waiting last may vary form a few to several months depending on the case load of the practice. We are contract only to undertaken a fixed number of treatments a year.
If patient is not ready for treatment we will either review within 6 months if appropriate or more likely ask your dentist to monitor the teeth an referrer when appropriate
If patient does not qualify for NHS treatment : we will offer to undertake treatment on a self-funded (private basis) at the same cost the NHS pay us. This is currently £1500 – at this stage you are no longer on any NHS treatment lists and treatment will start as soon as possible. Or you can either accept the position of your teeth.
When you come to the top of the treatment waiting list we will see you
You will meet the orthodontist who will be undertaking your treatment. This appointment normally takes about 20minutes
We will collect the necessary records (photographs, x-rays and either impressions or a special photographic scan for study models of your teeth)
What treatment is planned, the type of appliance, any extractions, length of treatment, brace care, attendance during treatment and the retention regime will be discussed and explained.
This will be confirmed by letter to your dentist and yourself. If extractions are required these will usually be requested before the start of treatment and we will ask you to liaise with your dentist for them to be undertaken.
This the BIG day!
we will fit your appliance, this takes between 30 and 45 minutes. We will explain care of your braces the do’s and don’ts to keep your brace clean and how to avoid breakages (which can lengthen treatment)
We have a brace care kit that you can buy at reception
Be aware it can take a few weeks to get used to your brace and your teeth may be sore. This can be helped by careful use of over the counter pain killers – the same as you would use for a headache.
We is usually see you about every 8 weeks for checking and adjusting of your brace. This will be either by the orthodontist or one of orthodontic therapists.
It is important that you take care of your brace and if there are problem to contact the practice as soon as possible.
Congratulations! You will have completed your treatment and the braces will be removed and retainers provided. Records will gain be taken to allow us to record the changes and monitor our performance and care.
Retainers are more important than the braces. They are a lifelong necessity to ensure your teeth don’t move
Under the NHS one form of retainer will be provided, this will usually be either a removable or fixed retainer. We will look after the retainers for the first year (breakages and loss will be charges at the current NHS repair fees)
After this year we will discharge you form our care and ask your dentist to take on the maintenance of your retainers. Retainers can break or be lost and without them your teeth will probably move back towards where they started from. The NHS does not provide for retainer maintainance, and any care of theme will be on a private basis.
