Below are some of the most common questions patients ask when considering orthodontic treatment. Whether you are exploring treatment for yourself or your child, understanding how orthodontic care works can help you feel confident about your options.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, we provide personalised advice on modern treatments including Invisalign clear aligners and fixed braces. A consultation allows us to assess your teeth and bite and explain whether orthodontic treatment would be beneficial for you. In some cases reassurance alone is all that is needed.
The British Orthodontic Society has produced an excellent video to help patients understand orthodontic treatment and make informed decisions when choosing the right orthodontist.
Orthodontic treatment is used to straighten teeth and improve how the upper and lower teeth bite together. Crooked or crowded teeth can be more difficult to clean and may increase the risk of tooth decay, gum problems and uneven tooth wear.
Modern orthodontic treatment can improve both the appearance of your smile and the long-term health of your teeth. Many patients choose discreet options such as
Invisalign clear aligners
or modern fixed braces like
Damon braces.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle will assess your teeth, bite and facial balance to determine whether orthodontic treatment would be beneficial and which treatment options are most suitable.
If you are unsure whether treatment is needed, you may find our guide Do I really need braces or aligners? helpful.
A specialist orthodontist is a dentist who has completed several additional years of postgraduate training in diagnosing, preventing and treating problems with tooth position and the bite. Orthodontics is the specialist branch of dentistry concerned with straightening teeth, guiding jaw development and improving how the teeth fit together.
This additional specialist training is especially important when planning treatment for more complex cases, children whose teeth and jaws are still developing, and adults seeking the best long-term result. Treatment options may include Invisalign clear aligners, Damon braces and other fixed brace systems depending on your needs.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle provides personalised orthodontic assessment and treatment planning, with a focus on both smile aesthetics and long-term bite stability.
You may also find our About page helpful if you would like to learn more about our approach to orthodontic care.
Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a wide range of problems affecting the position of the teeth and the way the upper and lower teeth bite together. Treating these issues can improve both the appearance of your smile and the long-term health of your teeth and gums.
Common problems orthodontic treatment can correct include:
Modern orthodontic treatment options include discreet solutions such as
Invisalign clear aligners
and advanced fixed braces like
Damon braces.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle will assess your teeth and bite to determine the most appropriate treatment to achieve a healthy, well-balanced smile.
Accessing orthodontic treatment is straightforward. Many patients are referred by their general dentist, but you can also arrange an orthodontic consultation directly without a referral.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, your first appointment involves a detailed assessment of your teeth, bite and smile. Digital photographs, scans and X-rays may be taken so that we can fully understand your orthodontic needs.
Following this assessment, Dr Angus Pringle will explain whether orthodontic treatment would be beneficial and discuss the most suitable options. These may include modern treatments such as
Invisalign clear aligners
or fixed braces such as Damon braces.
If you would like to explore orthodontic treatment, you can arrange an appointment directly by visiting our
contact page
or speaking to your dentist about a referral.
We provide private orthodontic treatment and do not offer orthodontic treatment through the NHS.
In the UK, NHS orthodontic treatment is generally available for children under the age of 18 who have significant bite problems and meet specific eligibility criteria based on the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Your general dentist can assess your child and arrange a referral if NHS treatment may be appropriate.
Many patients choose private orthodontic treatment because it allows greater flexibility in treatment options, shorter waiting times and access to discreet modern appliances such as
Invisalign clear aligners
and advanced fixed braces including
Damon braces.
If you would like to explore orthodontic treatment, you can arrange a consultation at our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham to discuss the most suitable options for your smile.
Your first orthodontic consultation is designed to assess your teeth, bite and smile so we can determine whether orthodontic treatment would be beneficial.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, the consultation typically includes a detailed clinical examination, photographs of your teeth and smile, and a digital scan of your teeth. These records allow us to accurately assess tooth alignment, bite relationships and facial balance.
Following this assessment, Dr Angus Pringle will explain whether treatment is recommended and discuss the most suitable options. These may include discreet treatments such as
Invisalign clear aligners
or modern fixed braces such as
Damon braces.
You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about treatment options, treatment duration and costs so you can decide whether orthodontic treatment is right for you.
Many patients prefer orthodontic treatment that is discreet and difficult to notice. Modern orthodontics offers several options depending on the complexity of your case and your treatment goals.
One of the most popular options is
Invisalign clear aligners.
These removable, virtually invisible aligners gradually move the teeth into a healthier and more balanced position while allowing you to remove them for eating and cleaning your teeth.
Another option is modern fixed braces such as
Damon braces,
which are smaller and more discreet than traditional braces and designed to move teeth efficiently and comfortably.
During your consultation at our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle will assess your teeth and bite and recommend the most suitable treatment to achieve a natural, confident smile.
The length of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the tooth movement required. For many patients, treatment typically takes between 12 and 24 months.
Minor alignment problems may be corrected more quickly, while more complex bite problems may take longer to achieve a stable and balanced result. The exact treatment time will depend on factors such as the position of your teeth, your bite and how your teeth respond to treatment.
Modern orthodontic treatments such as
Invisalign clear aligners
and advanced fixed braces like
Damon braces
are designed to move teeth efficiently while maintaining comfort and control.
During your consultation at our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle will provide an individual assessment and give you a personalised estimate of how long your treatment is likely to take.
Speak to Angus about your options to see which brace options are suitable for your treatment.
Not every patient needs teeth removed before orthodontic treatment. Whether extractions are recommended depends on the amount of crowding present, the position of the teeth, the bite, and the overall treatment goals.
In many cases, orthodontic treatment can be carried out without removing teeth. However, if there is significant crowding or the teeth are very prominent, removing selected teeth may sometimes be the best way to achieve a healthy, balanced and stable result.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle will carefully assess your teeth, bite and facial profile before making any recommendation. Treatment options may include
Invisalign clear aligners
or fixed braces such as
Damon braces,
depending on what is most appropriate for your case.
If extractions are recommended, this will always be fully explained so you understand why they may help achieve the best long-term result.
Orthodontic treatment is not usually painful, although it is normal to experience some mild discomfort for a few days when braces or aligners are first fitted or adjusted. This happens because the teeth are beginning to move into their new positions.
Most patients describe the sensation as pressure rather than pain, and it typically settles within a few days. Modern orthodontic techniques are designed to move teeth gradually and comfortably.
Discreet treatments such as
Invisalign clear aligners
and advanced fixed braces such as
Damon braces
are designed to apply gentle, controlled forces to the teeth.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, we will explain what to expect during treatment and provide advice to help you stay comfortable throughout the process.
Orthodontic appointments are typically scheduled every 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the type of treatment you are having and how your teeth are responding.
Many patients today benefit from remote monitoring technology. At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle uses
Dental Monitoring,
which allows us to track tooth movement remotely using your smartphone. This means some progress checks can be carried out without needing to attend the practice in person.
Remote monitoring helps ensure treatment is progressing as planned while reducing the number of visits required during treatment.
Treatment options may include
Invisalign clear aligners
or modern fixed braces such as
Damon braces,
both of which can be monitored carefully throughout treatment.
In most cases, braces will not prevent you from playing sports or musical instruments. Many patients continue their usual activities throughout orthodontic treatment.
If you play contact sports, it is recommended to wear a protective mouthguard to help protect your teeth and braces during activity. We can advise you on suitable orthodontic mouthguards designed to fit comfortably over braces.
Patients who play wind instruments may notice a short adjustment period when braces are first fitted, but most people adapt quickly and are able to continue playing normally.
Modern orthodontic treatments such as
Invisalign clear aligners
can also be removed for important performances if required, while fixed braces such as
Damon braces
are designed to be comfortable and low profile.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, we will always provide advice on how to continue your normal activities safely during orthodontic treatment.
If part of your brace breaks or becomes loose, try not to worry. In most cases this is not an emergency, but it is important to contact the practice so we can advise you and arrange an appointment if necessary.
Common issues may include a loose bracket, a poking wire, or a band that has come away from the tooth. Sometimes the problem can be made more comfortable temporarily by using orthodontic wax until we are able to see you.
If you are wearing removable aligners such as
Invisalign clear aligners,
continue wearing your current aligner unless we advise otherwise.
If you experience a problem with your brace, please contact our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham and our team will guide you on the next steps and arrange an appointment if required.
You can get in touch via our
contact page.
Yes. It is important to continue seeing your general dentist for regular dental check-ups and hygiene visits during orthodontic treatment.
While orthodontic treatment focuses on straightening the teeth and improving the bite, your dentist plays an important role in monitoring the overall health of your teeth and gums. Regular dental examinations help ensure any problems such as tooth decay or gum inflammation are identified early.
Your dentist will also provide advice on maintaining excellent oral hygiene while wearing braces or aligners, which is essential for keeping your teeth healthy throughout treatment.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, we work closely with your dentist to ensure you receive comprehensive dental care during your orthodontic treatment.
Retainers are an essential part of orthodontic treatment because teeth naturally have a tendency to move after braces or aligners have been removed. Without retainers, teeth can gradually drift out of position over time.
Wearing retainers helps maintain the result achieved by treatment and protects the time and investment made in creating a straighter, healthier smile. This is true whether treatment has been carried out using
Invisalign clear aligners
or fixed braces such as
Damon braces.
Retainers may be fixed behind the teeth, removable, or a combination of both depending on what is most appropriate for your case. You can learn more about the different types of retainers on our
retainers page.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, long-term stability is a key part of treatment planning, and retainers play an important role in helping your new smile stay straight.
Yes. Orthodontic treatment is suitable for adults of all ages provided the teeth and gums are healthy. Many adults choose orthodontic treatment to improve the appearance of their smile or to correct bite problems that may affect long-term dental health.
Modern orthodontic treatments are designed to be discreet and comfortable, which is why many adult patients choose
Invisalign clear aligners
or low-profile fixed braces such as
Damon braces.
At our specialist orthodontic clinic in Fareham, Dr Angus Pringle provides personalised treatment planning to help adults achieve a natural, confident smile while maintaining long-term dental health.
It is generally recommended that children have their first orthodontic assessment around the age of 7 years old. At this stage the orthodontist can evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing.
Early assessment does not always mean treatment will begin immediately. In many cases, the orthodontist will simply monitor growth and development and recommend the most appropriate time to start treatment.
Early evaluation can sometimes allow problems such as crowding or bite issues to be identified before they become more complex.
The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the tooth movement and the type of treatment used. Treatment options may include
Invisalign clear aligners
or fixed braces such as
Damon braces.
During your orthodontic consultation, Dr Angus Pringle will assess your teeth and bite and provide a personalised treatment plan along with a clear explanation of costs.
You can find more detailed information about fees and payment options on our
orthodontic treatment costs page.