FAQs

NHS orthodontic treatment is free for people in Scotland under the age of 26 with a clear health need for treatment. A rating system called the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) is used to assess eligibility for NHS treatment. Because of high demand, there can be a long waiting list and acceptance is only determined via the IOTN scoring system. For more information about IOTN scoring, please see our useful links below. If you are ineligible for Orthodontic treatment via the NHS, you can still explore our Private Treatment options which include Invisalign treatment.

Getting your brace fitted does not hurt. It involves metal brackets being glued onto the teeth using a special composite and the whole process should only take about 40 minutes to complete. Several hours after the brace is fitted, patients may experience some discomfort and aching. This is normal and should settle down within a week. We advise patients to take a normal painkiller and eat soft foods such as pasta or soup. After each adjustment of the brace there may also be some discomfort.

It is important you brush your teeth well, three times a day with fluoride toothpaste. As well as your ordinary toothbrush, a small Tepe brush will be necessary to ensure that the area around the bracket is kept clean. Failure to keep your teeth and brace clean will lead to permanent scarring of your teeth, and this is why treatment cannot begin until your oral hygiene is of an acceptable standard.

Patients with braces need to avoid eating any hard, sugary, sticky foods as well as fizzy drinks which can cause damage to the teeth and brackets. This will result in treatment time being lengthened. Food should be cut up into small chunks and chewing gum is a definite no!

If your brace does break, it is important that you let is know. You can call the practice from 9am Mon – Thurs or send us an email. Our friendly team will be able to advise you on what will happen next.

Retainers are designed to keep your teeth straight and can either be removable or fixed to the teeth. If you do not wear your retainer, your teeth are likely to drift towards their original position. Retainers will need to be worn 24 hours a day for the first two weeks, followed by 12 hours a day thereafter. Review appointments will be made every 3 months for a year to check your teeth. After this you will be discharged from our care.

For emergencies during normal opening hours please call the practice. For emergencies outside of normal hours, please call the practice and our answer phone will give you instructions for out of hours treatment.

British Orthodontic Society: http://www.bos.org.uk/
British Dental Association: http://www.bda.org/
General Dental Council: http://www.gdc-uk.org/
Accessing Orthodontics (IOTN Score): https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/dental/accessing-orthodontics/