Keeping Canterbury Smiling
We talk to specialist orthodontist Dr John Perry from Peak Orthodontics about the importance of individualised treatment (be it with braces, clear aligners or a retainer) when it comes to achieving that perfect smile.
perfect smile with good health, and it’s true that your oral health plays a role in your overall wellbeing. However not everyone is born with straight teeth, and malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, can lead to further dental issues which is where orthodontic care comes into play.
In the briefest of summaries, an orthodontist is a dentist trained to assist with malocclusion and jaw irregularities. ‘The goal of orthodontic care is to improve a patient’s bite,’ explains Dr John Perry from Peak Orthodontics. ‘While many may feel nervous about having an orthodontic consultation, it should be a comfortable and informative process.’
The first step is ‘taking records’ and includes clinical photographs of your teeth, your smile and your facial profile. ‘We also take a 3D digital impression of your teeth,’ explains
John, ‘which we use when planning orthodontic treatment.’
Once the photographs and digital impression have been completed, orthodontic X-rays are undertaken to provide a comprehensive view and allow for the assessment of the health of your teeth and jawbone, along with measuring the position of the upper and lower jawbones. ‘From here it is important for us to understand your goal for treatment and answer any questions or concerns you might have, to create a comprehensive treatment plan.’
While part of this includes comparing your individual records to the ideal ‘bite’, it is also important to pre-empt any problems that may become prevalent in the future. ‘It is important that orthodontic treatment isn’t just about ensuring your teeth are straight at the end of treatment but healthy long term.’
Peak Orthodontics offers clear and metal braces with 3D printing and is a Diamond provider of Invisalign clear aligners. ‘Our appliances aim to maximise efficiency and comfort,’ continues John. ‘We specialise in all ages, from adults wanting a quick tidy-up after previous orthodontics as a teen to complex cases of young patients undergoing life-changing smile transformations.
‘Our aim is to utilise the latest technology to improve the patient journey and ensure it fits with busy lives. For example, Dental Monitoring reduces the number of in-person appointments required but provides many more check points with the orthodontist and clinical team.’
Patients take photos of their teeth each week from home with the Dental Monitoring app and ScanBox Pro and send them through to John for review. With the two-way in-app messaging feature, patients can discuss the feedback provided directly with the orthodontist. With the impacts of Covid isolation limiting face-to-face opportunities this innovative remote working has been welcomed by patients and staff alike.•