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Orthodontics

dentist tunbridge wells

The effectiveness of fixed braces has been proven over decades.

Fixed braces can treat some significant orthodontic concerns that removable braces can’t. We believe that a straight, healthy smile has the power to transform lives, regardless of age. Whether you’re a child, teenager, or adult, our specialist fixed brace treatment will create a captivating smile.

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Orthodontics Fixed braces tunbridge wells

At a glance

Treats

Straightens crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites, gaps and open bites in children, teens & adults

First Step

Free consultation and iTero Scan to see predicted treatment results

Visits

After your brace fitting appointment you visit us for adjustments every 4-8 weeks

Duration

The typical treatment time is 9-15 months. But you’ll start seeing results in a matter of weeks

Retainers

You will need to wear retainers for as long as you would like to keep straight teeth

Treatment Overview

What are Fixed Braces?

Traditional fixed braces consist of metal, tooth-coloured or clear brackets, which are fixed or bonded to the outside of your teeth. They are then joined together using a metal wire. Then rubber bands are attached or little sliding catches are closed on each individual bracket holding the wire firmly in place.

How Do Fixed Braces Work?

When your teeth are crooked, the metal wire we fit to the brackets is bent and twisted from tooth to tooth. The archwire has ‘memory’ and wants to spring back to its smooth horseshoe shape so it gently pulls on the tooth it’s now connected to. It is the gradual force created by the wire that moves your teeth into their correct position. Throughout treatment, you will move through a series of wires that gradually get thicker, stronger and square in order to do more complex and refined movements of teeth.

Why Have Braces?

Fixed braces have been proven to provide outstanding orthodontic results over decades. They have been developed to be as comfortable, low profile and as efficient as possible so that they will provide great results, quickly.

They can also tackle some more severe orthodontic complaints with more predictability than other removable brace options. And, because they are fitted to your teeth, they do not require much thought or compliance from the patient – but they do require additional oral hygiene care as they obstruct your toothbrush from reaching the tooth surface.

How Long Do Braces Take?

Typically, a complete course of fixed braces takes 9-15 months. Depending on the complexity of your case.  Some minor aesthetic cases can take as little as 4-6 months But, you’ll start seeing results in a matter of weeks.

Why Choose The Dental Box for Braces?

 At dentalbox, specialist orthodontics represents a significant portion of our services, catering to children, teens and adults with both fixed and removable orthodontic options. Dr Nivethiny Nathan, our esteemed orthodontist, has over a decade of experience, working alongside our Clinical Director, Dr Anthony Lam. With Dr Nathan’s expertise, patients can anticipate a comprehensive specialist orthodontic evaluation. 

Her passion for orthodontics extends to a diverse range of cases, from simple malocclusions to complex scenarios, and she holds a special affinity for advanced techniques in managing severe crowding, missing teeth, and jaw abnormalities. 

We prioritise patient involvement by engaging in thorough discussions about all available treatment options, empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their expected outcomes. 

Dr. Nathan’s delightful sense of humour and her compassionate nature shine in every interaction, cultivating a warm and inviting atmosphere where patients feel secure and at ease. 

Do You Offer Fixed Braces for Children?

Orthodontics can be expensive, but that shouldn’t mean your child has to miss out on a beautiful set of straight teeth. With our children’s braces, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for price – you get both! We offer an affordable NHS alternative for patients aged 17 and under. The treatment is valid from Monday to Friday, and there are no weekend appointments or bracket upgrades. Of course, if tooth-coloured braces and Saturday appointments are what you’d like then you be required to have standard orthodontic treatment with the associated fee.

How Do I Get Started?

You’ll then need an orthodontic consultation to ensure the health of your teeth and your suitability for treatment. Your clinician will then work collaboratively with you to choose a brace system and bracket choice that you are happy with.

Once you have agreed and you are happy and confident with the proposed fixed brace treatment we will book for you to have a Bond Up appointment. We usually bond both upper and lower arches on the same day, but speak to us if this presents you with any worries or concerns.

Are Fixed Braces Painful?

The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the bond up appointment.

You have mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets, which may last for a few days to a week. This can make your teeth feel bruised, tender and achy. It can usually be managed with over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (please refer to doses on the medicine instruction leaflet)

Do Braces Affect Speech?

Fixed braces can sometimes impede speech fluency. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period. But do not worry, your soft tissues adapt very fast – and you’ll be sounding like you again in approx 2 or 3 days.

How do I clean my braces?

We will give you a full oral health demonstration at your bond up appointment and give you an OH pack with everything you need to maintain the highest level of dental hygiene.

You need to clean the brackets themselves, the tooth surface you can reach with your toothbrush and the tooth surface you can’t with an interdental toothbrush. So you’ll need to increase your 2 minutes twice a day to 3 minutes twice a day.

We also recommend visiting the dental hygienist periodically throughout treatment to prevent any hardened opaque staining or discolouring of your teeth around the brackets.

Do I need to wear retainers?

Yes! After you transformed your smile it’s easy to keep it looking good by wearing retainers. Our treatment fee included both fixed and removable Essix retainers.

The party line at The Dental Box is, “you need to wear retainers for as long as you’d like straight teeth” – we may tell you that you can reduce your retainer wear after a few years. But, we will never tell you to stop wearing them altogether.

At The Dental Box, we believe finance shouldn’t stand in the way of a standout smile! We provide various payment options meaning you can spread the cost and enjoy a confident smile at a price you can afford.

Book a Free Consultation to discuss pricing and payment plans without pressure, commitment, or obligation. One of our friendly team will be more than happy to discuss your queries & requirements.

There are a few fixed brace options from single arch metal braces to combination and ceramic braces, our typical brace fees start from the prices shown below.

Our children’s orthodontic service is valid for patients aged 17 and under as an affordable alternative to the long NHS waiting list. Full terms and conditions apply. Please contact us for more information.

teen braces
Braces for Kids

U17’s upper and lower metal braces only. T&C’s apply

£3450
Traditional Fixed Metal Braces

single arch

£2975
Tooth Coloured Fixed Ceramic Braces

single arch

£3450

Our fees include all appointments, emergencies, adjustments, brace debond, fixed retainers, removable Essix retainers, retainer repairs for 12 months and 2 years of aftercare to ensure you’re still delighted with your results.

Excludes the cost of an orthodontic assessment or routine general dental and or dental hygiene appointments.

Cancellation Policy

Payment is required when booking to secure an appointment.  We require at least two clear working days’ notice to change or cancel an appointment to avoid your appointment being forfeited or a short notice fee being applied.

TREATMENT PAYMENT OPTIONS

We can offer a range of  0% payment options to help you pay for your orthodontic treatment. Get in touch to find out more about your payment plan options!

Enquire about payment plans

YOUR SIMPLE 5 STEP JOURNEY

STEP 1. FREE, NO OBLIGATION ITERO SCAN & RESULT SIMULATION

A trained member of our team will take a fast and precise 3D digital scan of your teeth using the very latest iTero element scanner and show you an instant simulation of your predicted results.

While this scanner uses Invisalign treatment planning software, we still offer it to patients considering fixed braces as it’s an excellent way to get an insight into potential orthodontic results too. 

We can talk fees and finance and then let you know the way you can move forward, should you so wish. This appointment is completely free of charge, no obligation and no catch. We can also send you the smile prediction for you to consider at home.

STEP 2. ORTHODONTIC ASSESSMENT & RECORDS

Once you know that you would like to go ahead with fixed braces you will be required to have a comprehensive orthodontic assessment.

This appointment is lots of measuring and record taking.  To determine your eligibility for orthodontic treatment we will measure lots of elements of your teeth and jaws and will assess the health of your teeth, gums and surrounding jaw bone and take a panoramic x-ray and a series of clinical photos.

You will need to have had a general dental exam within the last 12 months and have a good level of oral health and hygiene in order to begin any orthodontic treatment.

STEP 3. BOND UP

Your records, photos and x-rays are reviewed by our Specialist Orthodontist and Orthodontic Clinical Director, Dr Anthony Lam. He will create you an individual treatment plan for one of our orthodontic team to carry out. Once your treatment plan has been written and your contracts and consents have been signed we will book you a Bond Up appointment. We usually bond both upper and lower arches on the same day, but speak to us if this presents you with any worries or concerns.

We will give you a full oral health demonstration and give you an Oral Health Pack filled with everything you need to maintain the highest levels of oral hygiene throughout your orthodontic treatment.

STEP 4. ADJUSTMENTS

After your Bond Up we will see you every 4-6 weeks for a Fixed Brace Adjustment. One these appointments we might change the archwires, add custom bends or special orthodontic appliances to ensure your teeth move into alignment, in the most efficient and effective way possible.

It is important to attend regularly and you must let us know if any of your brackets debond (they are only stuck on with enough glue to survive orthodontic forces, so they can debond if they come across a higher force – which is usually posh crisp or crispt bread crusts). We will see you as quickly as we can to rebond the bracket and keep your teeth moving nicely.

Your treatment continues like this until you have transformed your smile!

STEP 5. DEBOND AND RETAINERS

When you are delighted with the results, we will remove the brackets that have been fitted and remove any remaining glue with a fine polishing bur. We fit a fixed bonded retainer on the back of your front 4 or 6 teeth and take some impressions to make your customised removable Essix retainers.

You will be given Retainer Review appointments 3, 9 and 12 months later and after these, discharged from our orthodontic care.

Need Help?

Have a Question?

We generally find it’s best to jump on the phone and let you ask any questions you may have. Send us a brief message & one of our friendly team will be in touch

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If you know that you would like to join the dental box and know what you need to book, please head to our easy to use patient portal and book an appointment online 24/7

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