Orthodontics
What is Orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialty of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention and correction of misaligned teeth. Orthodontic treatment uses different types of braces to align crooked, protruding or crowded teeth, improving their appearance and function.
Who are Orthodontists?
Orthodontists are fully qualified dentists who have completed an additional 3 years of postgraduate study in order to specialise in Orthodontics. Orthodontists who complete this period of additional training, as well as passing rigorous examinations at the Royal College of Surgeons, may be admitted to the list of registered specialists held by the General Dental Council (GDC). Both our Orthodontists are GDC registered Orthodontic specialists with over 20 years combined experience. Your smile is in very safe hands!
Benefits / aims of Orthodontic treatment
- Correction of crowding and overlapping – straightening of your teeth.
- Treatment of teeth that “stick out” – reducing the chance of damage to prominent teeth.
- Correction of your bite so that teeth meet more evenly.
- Management of impacted teeth – aligning trapped adult teeth or those that have developed in the wrong position within the mouth.
- Positioning of adult teeth in preparation for cosmetic dental treatment or implants.
Who can have Orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontic treatment is open to both adults and children. If you are looking to improve your smile and the function of your teeth with braces; the only requirement is good dental health and clean teeth!
Orthodontic treatment for children is generally started once most of a child’s adult teeth have come through. However, if there is any concern over how your child’s new teeth are developing, we would be happy to check that everything is on track. There are some simple early treatments that can help the development of the dentition before all the adult teeth are established.
Orthodontic treatment for adults can begin at any age. Many adults seek treatment as they are unhappy with how their teeth look, often due to crowding or crooked teeth. Some patients are concerned that their teeth don’t meet correctly when they bite. As well as cosmetic improvements to your smile, orthodontics can also help the function of the teeth. Straightening can make them easier to clean and therefore improve your general oral health.
Types of braces
Fixed braces
The most common type of orthodontic appliance. Fixed braces attached to the front of your teeth can be very effective and efficient in achieving the smile you want. There are choices of tooth coloured ceramic brackets or metal brackets for both adults and children.
Invisalign®
Comfortable, clear and removable. Invisalign® is an increasingly popular choice for transforming smiles. Over 3 million people worldwide have already discovered the benefits of treatment with this practically invisible brace system. Invisalign® straightens teeth using a series of transparent, discrete, removable aligners that are custom-made specifically for your teeth.
Removable braces
These braces can be used to correct minor problems, or as a part of fixed brace treatment.
Functional braces
These are removable appliances used to treat growing patients with a discrepancy between upper and lower jaw position.
Retainers
Retainers are essential at the end of any course of orthodontic treatment. They hold the teeth in their new and improved positions. Without them your teeth may move and become crooked again. Retainer options will be fully discussed and planned during the consultation process.
Your journey to a new smile
Initially, you will have a full assessment and consultation with one of our Specialist Orthodontists. At this appointment we can discuss your concerns and what you hope to achieve through treatment. We will outline potentially suitable braces, how they work, time frames and costs.
Should you wish to proceed with the treatment outlined, we will arrange for more detailed records to include x-rays, photographs and impressions of your teeth. This will enable us to complete the comprehensive planning phase of your treatment. You will subsequently be ready to start your journey to a new smile!
Patient Information
Please click the link below to access a range of patient information leaflets written by the British Orthodontic Society.
https://www.bos.org.uk/BOS-Homepage/patient-information-leaflets
Dr Urvi Patel
Specialist Orthodontist
BDS MFDS RCS MSc(Orth) MOrth RCS (Edin)
GDC Registration: 81174
Urvi aims to provide the best possible care in orthodontic treatment. Through extensive training, her skills in orthodontics are focused on precise results and great smiles. She has many years of experience treating both adults and children in the private sector with removable or fixed braces and Invisalign®.
In 2002 she completed her initial degree in dentistry from Guy’s and King’s college hospital in London. This was followed by several years in general practice after which she then became a member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery teams of Sidcup and Orpington Hospitals and the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. In that time, she gained her Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of London. Urvi then went on to gain further extensive experience in Paediatric dentistry at Bart’s and the Royal London Hospital.
Specialist Orthodontic training was then undertaken at Guy’s and King’s College Hospital and Kingston Hospital starting in 2007. Whilst training she gained a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics and Membership in Orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. This then enabled registration as a Specialist Orthodontist with the General Dental Council in 2009 and has been very happy working as a Specialist Orthodontist ever since.
Urvi has been keen to stay up to date with the latest techniques and innovations through continuing professional development by way of conferences, meetings and study with all types of treatment for children and adults.
As a mum of three, she enjoys time with her family, cooking, exercising and skiing. Life outside of work has given her the benefit of understanding the value of orthodontic treatment to people in all walks of life.
Dr Sama Williams
Specialist Orthodontist
BDS MFDS RCS MSc(Orth) MOrth RCS (Edin)
GDC Registration: 83450
Sama completed her undergraduate training at Bristol University, qualifying as a dentist in 2004. She went on to gain her Membership (Faculty of Dental Surgery) of the Royal College of Surgeons, whilst training as a Senior House Officer in Restorative Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Sama subsequently undertook three years of postgraduate specialist training in Orthodontics at King’s College and St George’s Hospitals, London. During this time, she successfully completed the MSc in Orthodontics at the University of London, with Distinction and gained the Membership in Orthodontics of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh). She has been registered as a Specialist Orthodontist with the General Dental Council for over a decade.
Sama is widely experienced in treating both adults and children to a high standard. She takes the time to understand her patients’ treatment aims, thus providing a tailored approach to their orthodontics. She enjoys being able to offer cosmetic appliance options, which have become increasingly popular. She has been a certified Invisalign® provider since 2011 and attends regular seminars, webinars and study days to keep up with the latest developments in this field.
As well as being an orthodontist, Sama is mum to two lovely children. Spare time outside the surgery is spent with her husband, daughter and son, generally somewhere outdoors!