TEL: 058-51010     E-MAIL: info@dungarvanortho.com

FAQs     We have listed some of the most frequently asked questions with regards to orthodontic treatment. If you have any further     enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us here. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. What happens at the first visit? Can anyone have orthodontic treatment? At what age should I bring my child for consultation? Do I need to be referred by a dentist? Will braces affect my speech? How much does treatment cost? How long will it take? Do I need extractions? Do braces hurt? 1. What happens at the first visit? You will need to attend for a consultation. A consultation is normally carried out over two visits and the consultation fee is €80. On the first visit a full examination is carried out and records such as photographs, necessary radiographs and impressions for study models are taken. A detailed analysis of your records will be performed to devise the best treatment plan for you. This treatment plan will be discussed with you in depth at the second visit. Back to top 2. Can anyone have orthodontic treatment? Orthodontic treatment can be carried out on both adults and children. More and more adult patients are undertaking orthodontic treatment and there has been much advancement in recent years in the materials and techniques available. Many of the modern fixed appliances are very aesthetic and some are now invisible as they are placed behind teeth (lingual appliances). Back to top 3. Do I need to be referred by a dentist? No, you do not need to be referred but if you have not been to see your dentist for some time it is a good idea to have a check-up before attending our practice. Back to top 4. At what age should I bring my child for consultation? We like to see children for the first time at the age of 10 or 11, before their last baby teeth are lost and before their growth spurt. At this age all treatment options are available and some patients may require growth modification appliances, which influence jaw growth. If the child does not require a growth modification appliance we may delay treatment until 12-13 years of age. There are rare exceptions when we need to begin treatment before the age of 10 and your dentist will refer your child if early treatment is needed. Back to top   5. Will braces affect my speech? Fixed braces will not affect your speech. Removable braces, which are sometimes used in children, may take a few days to get accustomed to wearing. After an initial period of a few days, the speech returns to normal. Back to top 6. How much does treatment cost? This will vary depending on whether one or both arches require treatment, on the severity of the problem and on the type of braces chosen. The fee is normally paid over an 18-month period and 20% of the treatment fee may be claimed against your income tax with a Med 2 form. Back to top 7. How long will it take? Treatment times for comprehensive upper and lower fixed appliance treatment vary from 18-24 months, depending on the severity of the case. Other types of treatment may be shorter in duration. Back to top 8. Do I need extractions? Modern techniques mean that we can treat more patients without extracting teeth than ever before. However, some patients will still require extractions in order to achieve the best orthodontic result. Back to top 9. Do braces hurt? The placement of fixed braces is completely painless but for the first few days after the brace has been placed there may be some mild soreness or discomfort and the teeth may feel tender. This normally lasts for 3-5 days and if the teeth are particularly tender we recommend taking over-the-counter painkillers. Back to top

DUNGARVAN ORTHODONTIC PRACTICE Priory House | Lower Main Street | Dungarvan | Co. Waterford. Tel: 058-51010       E-mail: info@dungarvanortho.com