Treatments / Everyday dentistry
Braces & Clear Aligners
Orthodontic treatment corrects crowding, spacing and bite problems. An orthodontist attends the clinic, so the treatment is planned and monitored by a specialist in that field. The clinic is a registered Invisalign provider. Braces treatment is planned for adults as well as teenagers, and braces for adults follow the same route, through the attending orthodontist.
Who this is for
- Crowded, spaced or protruding teeth
- Adults who want correction without visible braces
- Children and teenagers needing an early assessment
- Alignment before implants, crowns or jaw surgery
What actually happens
- Records: photographs, scans and X-rays
- A plan showing the expected movement and the likely length of treatment
- Fitting, then regular reviews
- Retainers afterwards, which are not optional if the result is to hold
Your first orthodontic appointment
The first appointment is mostly looking and recording. The orthodontist asks what bothers you about your teeth, then checks your bite, how your jaws meet, your gums, and any fillings, crowns or missing teeth the plan will have to work around.
Records are taken next: photographs of your face and teeth, a scan or impressions of both jaws, and X-rays. The X-rays show the roots and the bone around them, which matter as much as anything you can see in a mirror.
When the plan is ready, you go through the options with the orthodontist, including whether aligners suit your case. You get the cost in writing before anything is fitted, and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Braces as an adult
Adults come in for orthodontic treatment for all sorts of reasons. Some had braces as children and stopped wearing their retainer. Some have crowding that has slowly got worse. Some need teeth moved before an implant, crown or bridge can be placed well.
Adult treatment has a few differences. The jaws have stopped growing, so where a bite problem comes from the position of the jaws rather than the teeth, braces alone may not correct it, and corrective jaw surgery is sometimes planned alongside. Existing fillings, crowns and gaps are planned around, not ignored.
For many working adults the practical question is how visible treatment will be. Clear aligners are the less visible option, and Invisalign is available here, as the clinic is a registered Invisalign provider. Whether aligners suit your teeth is decided from your records, not from preference alone.
Reviews and retainers
With fixed braces, reviews are usually every few weeks, when the wires are checked and adjusted. With aligners, you move to the next set of trays at home on a schedule, so visits are often spaced further apart. The orthodontist sets the interval for your case, and it can change as treatment goes on.
If a bracket comes loose or a wire starts to poke, call or WhatsApp the clinic. It is rarely urgent, but it is worth fixing soon so treatment is not held up.
Once the teeth are in place, retainers take over. A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. A removable one is a clear tray or a wire appliance you take out to eat and clean. Many people wear a removable retainer full time at first and then at night for the long term, but your orthodontist will tell you what your case needs. If a retainer breaks or stops fitting, get it seen soon, because teeth can start to shift quickly.
If you are weighing the two up, braces or clear aligners compares them on comfort, visibility and how much of the result depends on you.
Orthodontic cases are handled by Dr. Jahnavi Rachamadugu, our orthodontist and dentofacial orthopaedist.
Braces and aligners mean regular check-ins for many months, so it helps if the clinic is easy to reach. Coming from Gachibowli or Manikonda? Check the route and our timings first.
Questions people ask
What happens at the first orthodontic appointment?
The orthodontist examines your teeth, gums and bite, and records are taken: photographs, a scan or impressions, and X-rays. The plan and options are worked out from those records, and you get the cost in writing before anything is fitted.
Is Invisalign available at the clinic?
Yes. The clinic is a registered Invisalign provider. Whether aligners suit your teeth is decided after the orthodontist has seen your records.
How often will I need to come in during treatment?
With braces, usually every few weeks for adjustments. With aligners, visits are often further apart because you change trays at home. The orthodontist sets the schedule for your case.
How long do I need to wear a retainer?
Usually full time for a while after treatment ends, then at night for the long term. Your orthodontist will tell you what your own case needs.
Can I have braces if I have crowns or missing teeth?
Often, yes. Teeth with crowns or large fillings can usually be moved, and gaps from missing teeth are planned for, sometimes to make room for an implant or bridge later. The orthodontist checks this at the first appointment.
