How Long Is the NHS Braces Waiting List?
Orthodontic treatments can be really important and even essential for some and there are many reasons that your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist. One of the most common reasons is for braces.
Braces can be important for so many different reasons. Anything from a misaligned tooth to a serious bite problem could lead you to wanting braces. The problem is deciding where to go and what braces to get. With such a huge variety of choices out there it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
We will break down for you what we offer and what the NHS offers to help you make your choice on if you’d rather go private or potentially have to wait a while for the NHS.
NHS treatment
Orthodontic treatments on the NHS are free for patients under the age of 18 who have a clear need for the treatment.
Unfortunately because of a very high demand, there is often a waiting list that can sometimes be quite long for these treatments.
The NHS uses a rating system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) to assess eligibility for NHS treatment. This system uses numbered grades.
If you want to find out more about the different IOTN grades visit the British Orthodontic Society website.
Grade 3 cases may be considered for NHS treatments and will be assessed on an individual basis.
Grade 4 and grade 5 cases are eligible for NHS treatment.
Orthodontic treatment is not usually offered for adults on the NHS and as a result, most adults have private treatment.
How Long Is the NHS Braces Waiting List?
The length of the NHS waiting list for braces varies across the country. Where some places it can be as low as 6 months and should not be longer than 2 years in other places the wait is as long as 5 years.
Make sure you look into your specific area or speak to an NHS dentist or orthodontist to find out how long you could be waiting.
What Does Orthodontic Mean in Dentistry?
Orthodontic dentistry is a more specific and specialised type of dentistry. Braces and aligners are used to correct tooth misalignment or bite problems and these are put together and fitted by an orthodontist.
Orthodontists can help you not only improve crooked teeth or bite issues but alleviate jaw pain, improve your oral health overall and prevent further issues.
Below are some of the more common orthodontic treatments that may help you to understand why it is so essential.
Protruding teeth – A very common dental problem that can be fixed and should be.
Impacted teeth – This is a tooth that is stuck in the bone or tissue – which can happen for various reasons – and it can cause other issues, so, again it is important to fix.
Braces – This is probably up there with the most common treatments as around 200,000 people a year get braces in the UK. Braces can sort issues like tooth misalignment and bite issues which can have a negative impact.
Some people who go through orthodontic treatments such as braces or aligners may find that they experience slight changes to their face and these people often also report an increase in their self-confidence afterwards.
Orthodontic Treatment Options at Didsbury Dental Practice
At Didsbury Dental Practice we can offer you a range of orthodontic treatments. They can help improve your oral health in the long term by preventing further issues.
Below are just some of the orthodontic treatments that we can offer to you.
Damon Clear Braces
Damon clear braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that can straighten your teeth. The system uses a slide mechanism that takes away some of the pressure that is put on your teeth and allows them to move into the desired position much more comfortably.
Damon braces are almost completely transparent and will actually adapt to the natural colour of your teeth for discretion. This treatment takes fewer visits to your dental practice and is a far shorter process than what you would experience with traditional braces.
These braces can come in clear or if you prefer they can also come in metal. Usually, the Damon clear braces are used for the upper teeth and metal Damon braces on the lower teeth. This, of course, will depend on your specific wants and needs. So, if you choose to get Damon braces make sure to fully discuss the pros and cons of both with your dentist when making any decisions.
As a treatment for straightening your teeth, Damon braces are a great clinically proven treatment option that doesn’t usually require the extraction of any teeth.
Six-month smiles short-term aligners
Six Month Smiles is another system that gently moves your teeth into the correct position using a type of clear braces. And sometimes they work their magic in just 6 months.
The clear braces used by Six Month Smiles use clear brackets, practically invisible wires or sometimes clear plastic retainers. What exactly the Six Month Smiles treatment would entail for you would depend on your individual case.
These braces are as stated in the name for the short term. Along with being almost invisible, this makes it perfect for people with slight overcrowding or people who have had braces before but whose teeth have begun to move back. Although not always the case, these treatments are usually completed in around 6 months which is around a third of the time you would have traditional braces.
Six Month Smiles short-term orthodontics at Didsbury Dental Practice, Manchester can cost you as little as £28 a month so make sure to check it out if you are looking to regain some self-confidence through your smile.
Alias Lingual Braces
Another type of braces that can be a great choice for those who wish to be discrete are Alias lingual braces. These braces are probably the most hidden you will find. Instead of being on the front of your teeth, these braces are placed behind your teeth making them completely unnoticeable.
Lingual braces are made using non-allergenic gold using modern computer technology for the best results and maximum comfort throughout. To make your braces you will first have an impression taken off your teeth. This is then sent off to a dental laboratory and is used to make your custom braces.
Although this treatment takes a little longer than some others it is still a fantastic option as they are the ultimate secret braces and by hiding behind your teeth nobody will ever even know they are there unless you tell them.
Invisalign aligners
Invisalign treatment is a system used globally to straighten teeth. They are designed to slowly reposition your teeth to the desired place. The clear aligners are made using SmartTrack a specially designed flexible plastic created specifically for this treatment.
The clear aligners that you get with Invisalign treatment are extremely different from metal braces. Where traditional metal braces can only be removed by an orthodontist, Invisalign aligners can be removed easily by the patient themselves.
Unlike metal braces which are quite visibly obvious, Invisalign aligners are practically invisible and unless you point them out it is unlikely that they will be noticed by anyone.
Didsbury Dental Practice
To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.
Click here to learn about our Invisalign treatment for adults and teenagers.
We offer a wide range of dental services, including teeth whitening, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.
To find out why you should choose Didsbury Dental Practice for your orthodontic dentistry click here.
If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.
Visit our blog to read more articles on dental health such as ‘Can I Take Invisalign Out for a Night Out?’ and ‘Orthodontic dentistry and your self-confidence: how they are linked.’
