We Offer The Following Treatments
Du Raan Orthodontics offers a variety of services and treatments that will ensure you get the beautiful smile you deserve.
Complete Adult and Child Orthodontics
Aligner Therapy using SPARK aligners
Ceramic Clear / White Braces
Stainless Steel Brackets
Nickel Free Brackets and Wires
Speciality Appliances
Interceptive Treatment
Removable Functional Appliances
Habit Correcting Appliances (Thumb-sucking appliances, etc.)
Speciality Appliances
Interceptive Treatment
Removable Functional Appliances
Habit Correcting Appliances (Thumb-sucking appliances, etc.)
Early Orthodontic Treatment
Some problems are much easier to treat if they are caught at an early age. It is advised that children should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if it is not yet time to begin treatment.
Early evaluation is not necessarily followed by early treatment
In most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, your child’s growth patterns are monitored until the ideal time for treatment to begin. This creates an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.
Habit Correcting Appliances
There are some situations where a youngster’s habits can influence the development and function of the teeth, jaws and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.
Digit Sucking
Though the sucking reflex is natural in early childhood, it should terminate between ages 2 and 4. If it persists much later, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This can lead to the orthodontic problem called “open bite”, and may impair speech and swallowing.
Tongue Thrusting
An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth.
Mouth Breathing
This is an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open. This can lead to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face which may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, leading to orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start due to obstruction (e.g. enlarged tonsils or adenoids), it can become a habitual action that is hard to break.
Habit Correcting Appliances
There are some situations where a youngster’s habits can influence the development and function of the teeth, jaws and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.
Digit Sucking
Though the sucking reflex is natural in early childhood, it should terminate between ages 2 and 4. If it persists much later, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This can lead to the orthodontic problem called “open bite”, and may impair speech and swallowing.
Tongue Thrusting
An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth.
Mouth Breathing
This is an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open. This can lead to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face which may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, leading to orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start due to obstruction (e.g. enlarged tonsils or adenoids), it can become a habitual action that is hard to break.
Adolescent Treatment
Generally, the best time to treat orthodontic problems is during adolescence while the body is still growing rapidly. When the bones of the face and jaws are fully developed, many conditions become more difficult (and costly) to treat, with surgical correction often as the last resort.
Generally, the best time to treat orthodontic problems is during adolescence while the body is still growing rapidly. When the bones of the face and jaws are fully developed, many conditions become more difficult (and costly) to treat, with surgical correction often as the last resort.
Adult Orthodontic Treatment
Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so there is no such thing as being too old for braces.
There are more and more adult orthodontic patients these days. Many adults realize that having a beautiful smile can have significant benefits, socially and professionally.
Straightening teeth can be an important part of creating that smile!
To decrease the social impact of adults having braces, appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. These include ceramic brackets and clear aligners.
To decrease the social impact of adults having braces, appliances that are barely noticeable have been developed to give adults more discreet choices when it comes to orthodontic treatment. These include ceramic brackets and clear aligners.
Orthodontic treatment for adults is different in certain respects than it is for a growing child.
Firstly, the growth and development of the jaws is complete in adults, so changes in actual jaw structure cannot be accomplished with orthodontic appliances in the way they can with a growing child.
Secondly, periodontal (gum) disease is more prevalent in adults than in children. Orthodontic forces applied to your teeth cause them to move through their surrounding bone. Periodontal health plays a key role in all of this.
If periodontal health is not optimal during orthodontics, bone loss can result, leading to teeth losing support and weaken the long-term prognosis of your teeth.
So any gum disease must be brought under control before orthodontic treatment begins and needs to be maintained during treatment. This means that the adult patient will need to make sure to have regular professional cleanings during the orthodontics while maintaining good oral hygiene at home.
Metal Braces
Traditional metal braces are usually what comes to mind when you think about braces. These are the original braces that were invented over 100 years ago. They are very strong and durable. Dr Du Raan uses them all the time to build beautiful smiles and recommends using them specifically on children.
Traditional metal braces are usually what comes to mind when you think about braces. These are the original braces that were invented over 100 years ago. They are very strong and durable. Dr Du Raan uses them all the time to build beautiful smiles and recommends using them specifically on children.
Usually, metal braces are made of a very tough stainless steel alloy. To make these braces look fabulous, kids usually pick different coloured rubber bands to make them look cool. These braces work great and are a popular option when thinking about an orthodontic treatment plan.
Metal braces have more advantages than disadvantages
Metal braces are really sturdy. Depending on your daily activities you might prefer to have something that is sure to stay in place. Metal braces can also have a quicker treatment time depending on the patients’ needs.
Metal Braces are less expensive than clear braces or clear aligner treatment. They also work better at treating severe overcrowding of teeth. The only real disadvantage is that they are less visually appealing than clear aligners or ceramic braces that help in hiding the braces.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic Braces are a great option when considering orthodontic treatment. These braces are more for adults or teens as they seem to care more for the visual appearance of braces. Adults, in particular, seem to feel a little self-conscious about having a full metal mouth.
Ceramic braces are far less noticeable than metal braces, but they are still as effective in straightening teeth and do not increase your treatment time. Even though the braces do not stain, the ties holding the brackets to your teeth does stain, especially if you smoke or drink loads of coffee. But these ties are changed every time an adjustment is made, usually, monthly.
Ceramic braces do have some drawbacks and pre-requisites
Ceramic braces are more brittle and sensitive to shock so that they can break, chip, or fracture easily.
Because ceramic is harder than enamel, teeth that bite or rub against the brackets can easily wear where the brackets contact the teeth.
Ceramic brackets generally present more friction when sliding the teeth along the archwire which accounts for more effort and time in the process.
Dr du Raan would caution against applying them on teeth that are often used for chewing food. In most cases, only the upper teeth (which shows during smiling and function) receives ceramic braces, as this greatly reduces the frequency of breakages and wear of the teeth.
Ceramic braces cost more for the orthodontist to purchase and often take more visits and more time to install than metal braces. For this reason, there will be an extra charge when opting for ceramic braces.
Clear Aligners
Clear aligners are a great alternative for patients who want a straighter smile, but do not want to wear traditional metal braces.
Similar to braces, clear aligners use a gradual force to control tooth movement, but without metal wires or brackets. Tooth coloured attachments will usually need to be bonded temporarily onto the teeth to have the clear aligners function better.
The aligners are made of a strong plastic material and are fabricated to fit each individual’s mouth. A series of aligners are needed until the desired movement is achieved. Each set of Clear Aligners differs by about 0,5mm from the previous set, and in this way, teeth are moved in slight increments. This process does involve a lot of dental laboratory work which increases the cost to a great degree.
Aligners are beneficial for patients with previous orthodontic treatment that want to make minor corrections to their smile. Aligners can also be used to treat more complex cases, but patient compliance is mandatory for treatment to progress as it should. Aligners are worn for at least 20 hours a day to reach the desired maximum effectiveness. Each aligner is worn for one to two weeks before changing to the next one.