Specialist orthodontic
treatment

Specialist orthodontic treatment is available at Queensway Dental Practice for both NHS and private patients from a friendly and experienced team led by Specialist Orthodontist Guy Deeming. Teesside patients aged 17 and under are eligible for an NHS assessment and NHS treatment is available for those that meet the NHS Index of Orthodontic Treatment
Need (IOTN) criteria. Many patients, regardless of age, IOTN rating or previous orthodontic treatment are now choosing to have treatment on a private basis. As well as offering an assessment, advice and treatment planning service, private orthodontic treatment options at Queensway include:

Fixed Appliances
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment using labial fixed appliances is the mainstay of contemporary orthodontics. As well as standard metal appliances we are able to offer patients a choice of bracket systems according to their treatment needs and
aesthetic expectations. Over the last decade there has been rapid progression in appliance technology
including the development of ‘self-ligating’ brackets suitable for both adult and child patients. These low-friction appliances reduce the forces applied to the teeth meaning treatment is gentler and more efficient. We have chosen to offer two different systems - Damon Mx® and Inovation R® - allowing appliances to be selected and customised to the individual needs of the case.

Aesthetic Fixed Appliances
A growing number of adult and teenage patients do not want to wear a metal appliance. For such patients white

‘aesthetic’ brackets and wires can be used. The aesthetic appliance we have chosen to use is the Inovation C® system. This appliance is unique in that it is both aesthetic and a self-ligating system, meaning that patients do not have to forgo the advantages of self-ligation in order to have a brace that is more discrete.

Functional Appliances
Functional appliances are often used in growing patients in the permanent or, on occasion, in the mixed dentition to give a rapid reduction in overjet during the early stages of treatment as well as making any subsequent fixed appliance treatment more efficient and reducing the need for extractions. We place an emphasis on ensuring functional appliances are as
discrete and comfortable as possible to improve compliance with this very useful treatment modality.

Lingual Appliances
For those patients who do not wish to wear a labial appliance there is now the option of a fixed-lingual appliance. The Incognito® system is a completely customised system manufactured to the individual requirements of the patient in gold alloy using cad-cam 3D pattern printing technology. This gives an appliance that is less bulky and more comfy for the patient as well as increasing the complexity of cases that can be treated with lingual appliances.

Mini-screw implants
When specific anchorage problems are encountered, or in patients who require
tooth movements not previously possible, mini-screw implants can be used to provide a simple, fixed and virtually painless

method of supporting fixed appliance treatment. Mini-screws have the added advantage of avoiding the risks and inconvenience of extra-oral traction with
head-gear.

Retainers
Retention of a corrected malocclusion is arguably the most important aspect of orthodontic treatment. Retention regimes are prescribed in the light of the latest scientific evidence and its importance emphasised to all patients at the outset of treatment. All suitable patients will be offered fixed-lingual retainers routinely, in conjunction with night time ‘clear-aligner’ style removable retainers to give the most security against unwanted tooth movements once the braces are removed.

Multi-disciplinary Treatments
For patients who have more complex multidisciplinary
orthodontic problems, such as those requiring surgical, implant, restorative or periodontal input, it is now possible to provide a ‘one-stop’ multi-disciplinary
planning and treatment service. This ensures patients and referring dentists receive a smooth and efficient service throughout. In all cases the wishes of the patient and the original referrer will be sought before an internal referral or treatment is arranged, as referring dentists may wish to carry out any ancillary treatment themselves. The orthodontic team is experienced in liaising with clinical colleagues under these circumstances and will provide regular updates and correspondence throughout treatment as well as the opportunity to attend joint planning appointments with the patient.