Braces & Orthodontics

Metal braces use stainless steel brackets and wires — the most visible but also the most robust and cost-effective option, with the widest range of correctable tooth movements. Ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces use brackets that blend with the natural tooth colour, making them far less noticeable than metal while delivering comparable results. Lingual braces are bonded to the inside (tongue-facing) surface of the teeth, making them completely invisible from the front. Each type has clinical strengths and the right choice depends on your case complexity, lifestyle, and preference.

Treatment duration depends on the severity of crowding, spacing, or bite issues being corrected. Mild cases may be resolved in 12–18 months. Moderate cases typically take 18–24 months. More complex bite corrections, skeletal discrepancies, or significant tooth movements may take 24–36 months. Dr. Faiza Imtiaz will give you a specific estimate at your orthodontic assessment based on your digital X-rays and clinical examination.

There is discomfort — particularly in the first week after bonding and for 2–3 days after each adjustment appointment when the pressure on teeth is renewed. This discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. The mouth also takes 2–4 weeks to adapt to the brackets. Most patients describe it as manageable pressure rather than sharp pain, and report that it becomes much easier after the first month.

Absolutely — there is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. We treat many adult patients at HOA, including working professionals who prefer ceramic or lingual braces for discretion. Adult treatment may take slightly longer than adolescent treatment due to denser bone, and adults who have had extractions or significant dental work may need more planning. Dr. Faiza's advanced post-graduate training makes her well-equipped to manage complex adult orthodontic cases.

Not always. Many crowding and spacing cases can be resolved without extraction, particularly if there is sufficient arch space or the jaw can be expanded. In cases of severe crowding or significant bite discrepancy, strategic extraction of one or more premolars creates the space needed for ideal alignment. This decision is made after a full orthodontic assessment including X-rays and digital models — never as a default approach.

Hard foods that require biting force (hard bread, raw carrots, apples — cut these into pieces), sticky and chewy foods (toffee, chewing gum, sticky sweets), and crunchy snacks (popcorn, hard chips). These can break brackets, bend wires, or get trapped in the appliance. Soft foods — pasta, rice, yoghurt, eggs, soft fruit — are ideal, especially after adjustment appointments when teeth are more tender.

Oral hygiene with braces requires more effort but is critical. Brush after every meal using a soft brush at a 45-degree angle to the brackets. Use an interdental brush (proxy brush) to clean under the archwire and between brackets. Floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser. Water flossers are highly effective as an adjunct. Fluoride mouthwash provides additional protection. Your dentist will review your hygiene technique at every appointment.

Yes — retainers are non-negotiable after orthodontic treatment. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward their pre-treatment position (relapse) without retention. A fixed lingual retainer bonded to the back of the front teeth is recommended for long-term stability, often supplemented by a removable night retainer. Retainer wear is the final phase of orthodontic treatment — and the one that protects your investment for life.