- What is orthodontics?
- Why would I have orthodontic treatment?
- Is orthodontic treatment available in Malta?
- What is the price of orthodontic treatment in Malta?
- Are Maltese orthodontists trained in Malta?
- Do I need braces?
- there other treatments that give same results?
- Do I need my dentist to refer me for orthodontic treatment?
- Do I still need to see my dentist?
- Am I too old for braces?
- Can I choose the braces I want?
- Can I get coloured braces?
- Will my braces be in for long?
- How often are my follow up appointments?
- Can I still do sports?
- Can I play an instrument?
- Do braces hurt?
- Can I eat and drink normally?
- I live abroad. Can I get orthodontic treatment in Malta?
1. What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a field of dentistry which is concerned with diagnosing and correcting tooth alignment as well as other irregularities in the jaw or face. This is accomplished by using appliances known as braces (which can be made of various materials), to force the teeth to move into different positions until optimal results are reached. In most cases braces are used to achieve nicer teeth and mainly for aesthetic purposes. However, in other cases they can be used to treat problems caused by the jaw and/or teeth misalignment and its interference with speech, eating etc.
2. Why would I have orthodontic treatment?
The main benefit of orthodontic treatment is to improve your appearance. Many times, people with misaligned teeth are very conscious of this and will avoid smiling or opening their mouth in ways which reveal their teeth. After treatment, many patients admit to increased confidence and a boost to their self esteem. Besides the purely aesthetic reasons for braces, crooked or badly aligned teeth can sometimes interfere with eating and speech, the teeth may bite together and be harder to clean- again issues which a specialized dentists may solve.
3. Is orthodontic treatment available in Malta?
There are dentists in Malta that have specialised in Orthodontics. There is also orthodontic treatment available through specialized dentists on Malta’s sister Island, Gozo. Ensure however, that the dentist you choose is qualified in Orthodontics as there could be cases where unspecialised dental surgeons (not qualified to fit braces) also fit in braces. Qualified orthodontists undergo several years of additional training solely in orthodontic treatment.
4. What is the price of orthodontic treatment in Malta?
The price of orthodontic treatment in Malta varies hugely depending on the orthodontist but mostly on the nature and complexity of the treatment, how much corrective work is needed, the time required, the type of brace used etc. It is important to make sure you get a quote for the full treatment beforehand.
5. Are Maltese orthodontists trained in Malta?
Training in the field of Orthodontics will vary from dentist to dentist. Some have specialised in Malta and others in countries such as the United Kingdom. At Camilleri Dental Clinic we have 2 partner orthodontists and 2 associates. Our orthodontists qualified both in the United Kingdom (Royal College of Surgeon) and obtained their specialised training here in Malta (through an integrated programme between the University of Malta and King’s College London). You can read more about orthodontists in Malta.
6. Do I need braces?
The cases where one needs braces are not that common; in most cases braces are simply put in to improve appearances. If your teeth look crooked, over crowded or biting feels awkward you may want to consider treatment. If you have gaps in your teeth, braces can also be used to move the teeth close together in order to fill those gaps.
7. Are there other treatments that give same results?
This is a hard question to answer as it depends very much on the case. Sometimes crowns and veneers can be used to improve the appearance of the teeth. It is best to set up an appointment and see what treatment course is best for your specific case; some patients need just an orthodontist, some can get by with a general dentists and other cases may require a joined dentist/orthodontist approach.
8. Do I need my dentist to refer me for orthodontic treatment?
No, you do not need your dentists to refer you if you need braces or any kind of orthodontic treatment. In children, your child may get referred by their children’s dentist but you will need to wait till all your child’s adult teeth have grown before any treatment.
9. Do I still need to see my dentist?
Orthodontic treatment isn’t a short treatment -often it will take more than 12 months to complete. Given the duration, it is still advised you see your dentist for your regular oral check up. Your orthodontist won’t be examing your teeth for plaque, dental caries/ tooth decay etc – these are areas with are the concern of dental surgeons.
10. Am I too old for braces?
At Camilleri Dental Clinic almost half of our patients are adults. There is no age limit for realigning or correcting teeth and the myriad of options and modern appliances available today, such removable braces, fixed metal braces, invisible braces such as clear ceramic ones, Invisalign, lingual and many more, mean that adults can have braces fitted and be less concerned about the appearance of the brace on their teeth.
11. Can I choose the braces I want?
Generally you can choose between the types of braces you prefer (for example the metal ones or invisible ones), however, in some cases your orthodontist will need to tell you which ones will give you the best results. The prices will also change. For example, tooth coloured ceramic braces, which are far less noticeable, are more expensive than metal ones but may break more easily if you don’t carefully follow the guidelines provided. Your orthodontist will advise your on the best options as well as the pros and cons.
12. Can I get coloured braces?
Yes, at Camilleri Dental Clinic we can fit your braces in whatever colour you please: pink, green, blue and many more colours are available and you can pick your colour before your treatment begins.
13. Will my braces be in for long?
Difficult question to answer as we haven’t seen your teeth yet but it can vary anywhere between 6 months to 30 month cases requiring more work. However, no worries, we will be able to give you a relatively accurate estimate of how long your treatment will take on your first visit.
14. How often are my follow up appointments?
Depending on the cases, your follow up appointment with your orthodontist is usually every 3-6 weeks.
15. Can I still do sports?
Generally, sports aren’t an issue and you can keep playing whatever sport you enjoy but keep in mind the following:
• If you have a fixed brace, you should wear a mouth guard over the appliance. This will reduce the chances of any damage to the teeth or the brace.
• If you have a removable appliance or retainers, you can just remove them whilst playing
• If you do contact sports, like rugby, you are at increased risk of damage to the brace even with a mouth guard. Play carefully.
16. Can I play an instrument?
Playing a wind instrument with braces usually doesn’t prove to be an issue especially in less experienced musicians, it is more seasoned and experienced musicians which may find braces to interfere with their playing. Braces can in some cases affect a musician’s ability to practice and perform. Before you begin treatment, make sure you let our orthodontist know you play a wind instrument, this way they can decide on the best type of brace and explain for the brace may interfere with playing.
17. Do braces hurt?
Braces shouldn’t hurt but you will feel some discomfort. The discomfort will be more pronounced at the beginning especially when your braces are first fitted into your mouth. Your orthodontists will give you a little box of orthodontic wax which you can roll into a ball and attach to the part of the brace which you feel is causing the discomfort. The tightening of the brace can also be rather uncomfortable for many (especially during the first visits) but it’s a feeling most patients get used to after the first visits.
18. Can I eat and drink normally?
You can eat most foods and consume most drinks. There are some foods and drinks which you must avoid. These include chewy foods like toffee, caramel, gum – these can get tangled in the teeth and brace and be very hard to remove. They may also cause the brace to break. Soft drinks and juices should also be avoided-the acidity damages the tooth enamel (this will happen whether you have a brace or not). However, with braces, the acidity will target the area of the tooth around the brace which can leave staining or scaring which may be hard to remove. Crunchy and hard foods – this can include bread, biscuits, nougats, carrots, nuts etc. If you really must eat them, ensure to take in tiny bites and chew them with your back teeth. We advise avoiding them overall.
19. I live abroad. Can I get orthodontic treatment in Malta?
Yes, we can sometimes provide orthodontic treatment even if you do not live in Malta. The most important thing when having any type of brace is the visits to tighten the braces. The visits needs to be done at fix intervals and cannot be longer or shorter than recommended by your orthodontist. In order to have your braces done in Malta and receive successful treatment, you will need to make sure you can be in Malta for every appointment which may be at, for example, 5 week gaps.