FAQs

At Heaton Mersey Orthodontics we believe that everyone deserves to have beautiful teeth and a smile they can be proud to show off.

We offer different finance options to suit your needs, including interest-free and interest-bearing options through a finance provider. Our specialists will talk you through the options available.

Orthodontic treatment will address the adult teeth when they have reached a particular stage of development. We can usually start treatment from 11 years old onwards, providing all adult teeth are present. Interceptive treatment can also be undertaken whilst some of the baby’s teeth are still present. We treat patients of all ages, our oldest so far is 80 years old. Our Specialist Orthodontists will assess your teeth during a consultation and advise the next steps to start your #HMOCsmile journey.

We offer free private, virtual consultations which can be booked through our website. Please click the booking link on our homepage or via our Contact Us page. You can also call to book a private consultation at our practice to see one of our specialists – the charge for this is £95. This includes x-rays, clinical photographs, and a digital scan of your teeth, along with a written plan of treatment to report to your dentist. You do not need to be referred by your usual dentist, however, we do also take referrals.

The duration of our treatments can vary depending on the type of treatment recommended for you. This will be discussed during the consultation and is outlined in your personal treatment plan.

All specialist Orthodontists start with the same training as a Dentist, focusing on dental health and taking care of your oral hygiene. To become a specialist Orthodontist, they have to work in and study a wide range of different specialities for several years, gaining further qualifications from one of the Royal College of Surgeons before embarking on a 3-year full-time specialist training in orthodontics. Orthodontics is what they do day in and day out. They continually update their knowledge of the latest technologies and advancements.

Specialist Orthodontists focus on improving smiles by straightening teeth and correcting teeth alignment with braces or clear aligners, they focus on balancing the teeth and jaws to achieve facial harmony. Whereas a dentist is focused on oral health. Some dentists may offer treatments for braces or Clear Aligners, but they are not specialists in this field and are limited in what they can do.

You may also see online providers offering ‘quick fix’ clear aligners at a slightly ‘cheaper’ price than through a specialist orthodontist. We highly recommend you see a specialist orthodontist – It is important to have a thorough consultation, X-rays, photos and records taken and assessed by a specialist orthodontist to ensure your teeth and gums are protected.

Care must be taken to avoid damage to your braces which is advised prior to starting your treatment. Brackets can occasionally become dislodged, if this happens to one of your brackets, it doesn’t need to be treated as an emergency. As orthodontic appointments are carried out regularly, many patients can have this fixed at their next appointment. However, if two or more of your brackets are broken, please contact reception who will advise if your appointment needs to be brought forward.

Maintaining good oral health is even more important during orthodontic treatment. Our specialists will advise how to effectively clean your teeth, gums and braces to ensure your teeth and gums are protected during treatment. It is good to brush your teeth after each meal, especially with fixed braces. We recommend purchasing interdental brushes which allow you to give extra care to hard-to-reach places and between teeth and brackets. We also advise you to position your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle around brackets. Take a look at our tooth-brushing videos here: https://youtu.be/ZYpJd5WI7GA
https://youtu.be/IDrad_TvNf8

The main purpose of dental wax is to protect sensitive areas of the mouth and prevent sharp or jagged edges from rubbing and causing irritation. It can be used with fixed braces and also clear aligners, and can also provide a temporary solution if you have damaged your brace and feel any discomfort. Our specialists will be able to show you how to use the wax or you can watch the video below. Wax can be purchased from our reception team.

It is still very important to have regular check-ups with your usual dentist throughout your treatment. Your dentist is there to monitor the health of your teeth and gums, and to help ensure you’re maintaining good oral hygiene.

It is important to give extra care to your brushing routine when in treatment, as plaque can build up more than usual when wearing a brace as food can get trapped between the brackets and wires.

In short, you will need to wear your retainer forever – or for as long as you would like to keep your teeth straight. Your Orthodontist will devise a personalised treatment plan regarding your retention. After your braces have been removed, you may initially be advised to wear them all day, every day for a specified amount of time (ranging from 4 to 12 months). After this period, patients are advised to wear a retainer every night, indefinitely. If you do not follow these instructions, your teeth are likely to start to move.

Whether or not we can give you straight teeth for your wedding day will depend on how much time there is between now and the big event, and the complexity of your case.

We believe that a smile is for life, so we won’t cut corners or do a half-hearted job just because time is short. Of course, if there’s a way to give you straighter teeth for your wedding day, we’ll do what we can to make it happen.

If you are limited in time, our team can plan your treatment to ensure the best possible outcome for your big day. If you are still undergoing treatment for your big day, we can arrange to temporarily remove your fixed braces or attachments for your clear aligners for your big day, resuming treatment afterwards.

We have helped many clients to achieve the perfect smiles for their biggest day, and always do our utmost to make sure they are ready.

Our consultant dermatologist, Naila Usmani of Myskindesign, is fully trained to perform facial rejuvenation treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections and fillers. Many brides, grooms, wedding guests, and members of the wedding party opt to have these treatments before the wedding day to help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate how they look. If you would like to know more about our skin treatments and what might be right for you, speak to Naila for an appointment on 03333 210 029.