We offer a full range of Orthodontic treatment.
Children
At Lonehill Orthodontics, your local Fourways area orthodontic practice, Dr Essop in agreement with the American Association of Orthodontists, recommends that children have their first orthodontic screening around age seven. This will allow us to recognize potential problems early on and correct them before they become serious orthodontic issues.
Phase I or Interceptive treatment- Interceptive orthodontic treatment is where we identify any potential problems and intercept them before they manifest and cause serious problems. The goals of early treatment are to give your child the best chance in life by crafting them a beautiful smile, some of the other goals are:
What to expect with Early Orthodontic Treatment
First, we will schedule your child for an initial consultation. During this consultation we will determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed such as crowding, open bite, overbite, underbite or a gummy smile. It is possible that treatment may not be needed at that time, or at all. Should we determine that treatment is necessary, we will create a detailed treatment plan for your child that will produce the best possible individual results.
1. To create space for crowded, erupting teeth.
2. To create facial symmetry by influencing proper jaw growth.
3. To reduce the risk of trauma caused by protruding front teeth.
4. To reduce bullying and social anxiety caused by mal-aligned teeth.
5. To reduce the need for tooth extraction.
Types of Braces
Metal Braces
Our metal braces are of the highest quality and are designed to give you the best smile in the shortest amount of time. In addition, our metal braces are smaller and sleeker with a low profile that ensures comfort.
Clear Braces
Clear or ceramic braces are a great choice for patients looking for an esthetic option. They are made of tooth-coloured materials, making them less noticeable.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Invisalign® is a series of clear custom made aligners that slowly move your teeth to the desired position. The aligners are not noticeable when you are speaking, and they can be discreetly removed for eating and brushing/flossing. Truly a great option, ask Dr Essop if you are a candidate for clear aligners!
Adult Treatment
Adults
Currently almost 20% of all orthodontic patients are adults! Adult orthodontic treatment has been proven to increase self-confidence and self-esteem, which may help improve performance in one’s career and in your social life. We live in a competitive world and a great smile can give you the edge. We offer early morning appointments to fit your busy schedule. Orthodontic treatment has changed and there are many discreet esthetic options, so no one has to know you are straightening your teeth. There are many options for adult treatment including our clear esthetic braces and Invisalign®.
Orthodontic treatment is often part of a comprehensive dental health care plan. With good care, including orthodontic treatment, when necessary, teeth can last a lifetime. A healthy bite and good-looking smile is as important at age 60 as it is at age 16. Even though adults are no longer growing, they can also enjoy improvements that come from orthodontic treatment. Your age is not a consideration for orthodontic treatment. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age.
Orthodontic treatment is a smart investment, so start smiling today!
Esthetic Braces
Esthetic or clear braces are braces made from a clear ceramic material. These braces are very popular for patients who want a more subtle way of correcting their teeth. These clear braces are less noticeable than traditional metal braces. Call us to schedule a consult to learn more about our options for esthetic braces, we are a leading provider of clear braces in the Sandton area.
Invisalign
What if you could have straighter, whiter teeth in less time and with less discomfort than traditional braces? You can with Invisalign®!
Invisalign® is a metal-free, almost invisible aligning system that straightens teeth quickly and efficiently without metal braces, significantly reducing the negative impact on your smile. The Invisalign® treatment consists of a series of removable custom aligning trays that we replace every few weeks as the teeth gently move into their new positions. Invisalign® trays can be temporarily removed for important occasions, giving the patient both freedom and convenience during treatment.
Invisalign® is used to correct the same dental problems addressed by traditional metal braces with the added advantages of being almost invisible to the naked eye and easily removable. Here is a list of some problems commonly corrected with Invisalign®:
Overcrowding
many teeth in too small of a space keeps them from aligning correctly, causing higher levels of tooth decay and a greater likelihood of gum disease. Too
Gaps
Too few teeth in too large of a space, often the result of missing teeth or abnormal jaw growth.
Crossbite
When one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, causing uneven wear that leads to bone erosion and gum disease.
Overbite
Overbites occur when the upper teeth project out over the lower teeth, possibly leading to jaw pain and TMJ.
Underbite
An underbite is the inverse of an overbite; the lower teeth project out past the upper teeth, possibly leading to jaw pain and TMJ.
What’s the procedure for the Invisalign® treatment?
Initially, we will take pictures and a 3D scan of your teeth. These images are uploaded to a computer where we can move your teeth around and view the jaw from different angles. Through this process Dr Essop will devise an initial treatment plan. From this plan a unique set of alignment trays are custom crafted for your teeth.
Many patients have reported great satisfaction with both the advantages of the Invisalign® treatment system and the stunning results they achieve. Invisalign®, known for being both comfortable and effective, has revolutionized orthodontics.
What advantages does Invisalign® offer over traditional braces?
While both techniques are useful under different circumstances for perfecting teeth alignment, Invisalign® has several unique advantages over traditional dental braces:
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign® trays are nearly invisible and fully removable. This makes them significantly better for the aesthetic appearance of your smile during treatment. Used correctly, Invisalign® can achieve results almost identical to those obtained by using traditional braces.