All 4 Clinics that provide Braces in West Glamorgan

Orthodontics is the fitting of braces to straigthen the alignment of teeth. Often carried out during school years it is becoming increasingly popular with adults as a number of new products that reduce the visibility of the fitting have come onto the market.

How does it work?

Braces apply a constant gentle pressure to the teeth encouraging them over time to move into their correct place. It's as simple at that!

What is the procedure like?

Orthodontics requires regular visits and usually takes about 2 years to complete though a lot depends on the individuals teeth. A brace is created initially and subsequent visits change the pressure being applied to the teeth to ensure a good final result. A retainer may be used after the brace has done its work to ensure the teeth do not move out of alignment.

What different types exist?

Metal
These are the cheapest kind of brace - and the most visible.

Invisible / Ceramic
A number of options allow the use of braces that are hard to see - through use of materials that blend with the natural look of your teeth. These are usually more expensive than metal braces and can take longer to complete the straightening process further increasing the cost.

Lingual Braces
Fitted behind the teeth these have the advantage of not usually being visible. They take a while to get used to and people can experience speech difficulties at first.

What affects the price?

• The type of brace.
• How much adjustment needs to be done.
• The amount of visits that will be required.

A guide to dentistry in the UK

The UK has some of the world's longest established medical and dental organizations. It has played a central role in shaping the ethical and scientific face of modern dental practice. The practice and structure of the profession in Britain serve as a model for many countries' dental profession.

Benefits of British Dentistry

Regular checkups are a vital part of good oral healthcare and a local dentist is by far the best choice. A trusting relationship with your local dentist has emmense benefits: dental emergencies can be dealt with by a healthcare professional who knows your medical history inside out. Even for more expensive treatments the value of this close working knowledge can far outweigh price considerations, ensuring an ongoing beneficial, oral regimen.

Dentists in the UK - Qualifications

A 5 year dental curriculum can be followed at any of UK's 13 dental schools. Successful graduates receive a Bachelor of Dental Science degree (BDS).

There are a large number of specialties that can be followed following standard dental practice including: Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics and Endodontics.

Dentists in the UK - Patient Rights

Organizations

The General Dental Council regulates the dental profession in the UK. It keeps an up-to-date register of dental professionals: dentists, dental nurses, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental therapists, and orthodontic therapists.

The British Dental Association is the primary representative organization for dentists in the UK.

Dental Ethics

The General Dental Council publishes ethical guidelines for the profession. These cover a dentists duty to continually update their skills, promote dental health, their duty to the profession and their patients as well as the proper manner in which to advertise their services and how to charge for treatment. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in censure, suspension or removal of the right to practice.

Continuing education

Mandatory, continuing education was introduced in 2001. 250 hours of training and seminars must be completed every 5 years to maintain the right to practice dentistry in the UK.

Complaints

There is a comprehensive system for dealing with complaints. The Dental Complaints Service (DCS) is the primary mechanism for patient complaints. Questions about a particular dentist's fitness to practice may be handled by the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and judged against the Fitness to Practise Procedures (FTP). These are all under the auspices of the General Dental Council.

Data Protection

Dentists in the UK:

London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Bristol, Leicester, Coventry, Bradford, Cardiff, Wakefield, Plymouth, Reading, Stockport, Huntly, Huddersfield

Resources

General Dental Council
37 Wimpole Street,
London,
W1G 8DQ

Tel: +44 (0)84 5222 4141
Fax: +44 (0)20 7224 3294
Email: ces@gdc-uk.org
Web: www.gdc-uk.org

Ethical Guidelines

Ethical guidelines of the GDC

British Dental Association
Web: www.bda.org

The Information Commissioner's Office
Web: www.ico.gov.uk

Dental Practice Board for England and Wales: http://www.dpb.nhs.uk

NHS dentist advice guide: www.adviceguide.org.uk/h_nhs_dental_treatment.pdf

Postgraduate and Specialty training: www.rcseng.ac.uk/ (Maintained by the Royal College of Surgeons)

Healthcare Commission: www.healthcarecommission.org.uk

World Dental Federation on the UK (including a list of all UK dental schools): www.fdiworldental.org/

Association of Dental Implantology: www.adi.org.uk

The biggest choice of braces clinics in West Glamorgan with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best braces for you in West Glamorgan.