• Can my child play sports like rugby or hockey while having braces?

Yes, your child can play any sport provided they wear an appropriate mouth guard. Since the teeth are constantly changing a general mouthguard should be used, these can be acquired at the practice.

• Does getting braces hurt?

There could be some discomfort with the fitting of bands, however the initial placement of the braces does not hurt. Space is made for the bands with a short appointment a few days before placement, this keeps discomfort to a minimum. The brackets are glued on so there is no pain with the placement.

• How long does the placement of the braces take?

The placement appointment is generally an hour in the morning.

• Is removing braces painful?

The process of removing braces is not painful.

• Can adults get braces?

Anyone can get braces provided they have enough permanent teeth in their mouth. Roughly half of our practice’s patients are adults.

• How do I know if my child is old enough to get braces?

Generally, children are ready to be treated from the age of around 11/12 with the start of their growth spurt. If you book a consult then we will monitor the child until they are ready to begin with treatment if necessary. We also do early interceptive treatments on younger children if there is a medical need for it.