Orthodontics (Teeth Straightening)

Teeth straightening

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Orthodontics is a specialist branch of dentistry concerned with the growth of the teeth, jaws and face. Orthodontic treatment uses appliances which apply gentle pressure to the teeth to move them within the jaw bones. Braces can be used to straighten irregular, crowded, crooked, gappy and protruding teeth. They can also alter how your teeth bite together and the relationship of your top and bottom jaws with each other. There are many benefits to you having orthodontic treatment such as improving the appearance of your teeth, smile and facial profile, making it easier to clean your clean, making chewing more comfortable, reducing the likelihood of trauma to protruding teeth and improving tooth positions in preparation for crowns, bridges or dental implants.

Request a free remote orthodontic consultation

By sending some information about your teeth to Rachel Seed (Specialist Orthodontist), she can discuss, on an initial free video consultation, what orthodontic treatment may be possible and involve, from the comfort of your own home!

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Message from Rachel

Specialist in Orthodontics
GDC Registration Number 73436
BDS(Hons) Liverpool, MFGDP(UK), MFDS RCS(Ed), MOrth RCS(Ed), M Dent Sci

I am really lucky to do a job that I love and to do something that makes such a positive difference to the people I treat. I’m passionate about orthodontics and the change it can make to people’s lives. I love seeing the transformation in people’s smiles as well as the increase in confidence that commonly occurs when a patient’s smile is improved. It is truly satisfying to see them “beam” when they see their final result.

I treat children and teenagers here at Garstang Dental Referral Practice using tooth coloured (clear) or metal fixed braces, Invisalign clear aligners, functional braces or removable braces. If you are concerned with any aspect of your child’s tooth positions or smile, I would be very happy to either reassure you or advise you on possible treatment solutions for your individual situation.

You can send some information about your teeth via the following link and one of the team will be in touch to arrange a free video consultation with me. Alternatively, you can be booked straight in for a face to face assessment. https://www.garstangdental.co.uk/teeth-straightening/smilemate

Follow me on instagram @rachelseedortho https://www.instagram.com/rachelseedortho

Treatment Days: Monday 9.00-17.00 and Thursday 9.00 - 19.00

Video Consultations: Wednesday 9.00 - 17.30

Dear Rachel and the team,

After years of feeling self-conscious when it came to my teeth, and a lifetime of not smiling a full smile, I decided to go ahead with searching for an orthodontic treatment. I decided to go to Rachel for my treatment after the wonderful orthodontic work my mother received from her. While feeling desperate to improve my teeth, I was also incredibly reluctant and worried about what the treatment would entail, how they would look throughout, and how long the treatment would take. All these concerns were halted by Rachel’s thorough consultations and the initial treatment plan I received from her before going ahead with the treatment.

My main concern before starting the treatment was how they would look throughout the whole process. I spoke these concerns through with Rachel during the first consultations and she helped to ease them all. She did this by discussing all of the different options available, such as tooth coloured fixed braces, and ensuring that the process would be as smooth as possible. The whole treatment has been an incredibly smooth and easy process, with Rachel talking me through and making me feel comfortable with every step.

Throughout the process, Rachel has worked alongside my own dentist and has kept him informed with each step of the treatment. While my work with Rachel is now complete, my own dentist will now be carrying on finishing my full treatment. The transitions between dentists has been incredibly smooth as they have both kept each other informed while ensuring I have complete understanding of what is taking place at each step.

I am so pleased that I went forward with my treatment, and it has been a very worthwhile investment which I will reap the rewards of throughout my lifetime.

I am so happy with the work that Rachel has done, and it has completely changed the way in which I view my teeth. It has changed my smile and has therefore improved my confidence overall.

For anyone thinking of any orthodontic treatment, I would highly recommend speaking to Rachel or another member of the team as they are all easy to talk to and incredibly helpful.

Every member of the Garstang Dental team that I have come into contact with has been a delight to meet, from the receptionists to the dental nurses, everyone is so lovely and makes you feel incredibly comfortable.

A massive thank you to Rachel and the team.

May 2019

Why see a specialist orthodontist?

In addition to their 5 year undergraduate training to become a dentist, a specialist orthodontist has undertaken a minimum of 3 years training in various dental specialties followed by 3-5 years extra rigorous full-time training in orthodontics. During their specialist training, they treat over 120 patients, attend consultant led clinics, receive "on the job" training and mentoring from experienced specialists, study the evidence base for orthodontic treatments and techniques as well as undertaking a Masters degree related to orthodontics. At the end of their training, they present 5 completed cases to examiners, treatment plan previously un-seen cases and are extensively questioned on their knowledge. Only when they have satisfied officially recognised examiners that they have the knowledge, understanding and competence are they awarded the Royal College of Surgeons accredited orthodontic qualification (MOrth) to be able to call themselves a specialist orthodontist.

Some general dental practitioners may offer orthodontic treatments but will usually have undergone less formal training, often having less experience than a specialist and may be limited to using a particular commercial brace system and more simple treatment. Owing to their intensive training and career being focused around this specialty, specialist orthodontists are in the best position to fully diagnose, plan and advise on appropriate treatment and use various brace systems and techniques underpinned by scientific evidence, research and experience. In addition, specialist orthodontists have the experience of treating both simple and more complex or challenging tooth arrangements.

How long does treatment take?

Simple straightening of the teeth can sometimes be carried out in as quickly as 6 months, particularly if it’s only the front 6-8 teeth. However, a relatively short treatment like this usually produces limited changes and this is not always a long-term solution as often this isn’t enough time to move the whole tooth, including the roots, into the right place. This may mean the teeth are not as fully straightened as they could be and can quickly move back towards their original positions if retainer wear is missed. It often takes between 1 and 2 years to get the most accurate tooth positions and for the teeth to bite in a better way, in harmony with the jaws and lips.

Types of orthodontic treatment I provide

There are four types of brace system I use when treating patients (see below). As part of your initial consultation appointment, I will show you and discuss which types of brace are suitable for your treatment and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.

Fixed braces - using tooth coloured ceramic or metal brackets
Invisalign clear aligners
Functional appliances including Invisalign mandibular advancement for the correction of protruding teeth
Removable braces

Get in touch

Deborah's story of her orthodontic treatment

This lady describes how she felt about her teeth before Rachel's orthodontic treatment, why she wanted them straightening and the impact having the treatment has had on her quality of life.

Rachel's Testimonials

Megan's story of her orthodontic treatment with Rachel

Megan had upper and lower fixed appliances for 9 months.

Rachel's Testimonials

Nathan's story of his orthodontic treatment with Rachel Seed

Nathan had upper and lower fixed appliances for 12 months.

Rachel's Testimonials

Alison's testimonial of her treatment at Garstang Dental Referral Practice

Alison was suffering with severe gum disease when she first came to Garstang Dental Referral Practice. After treatment, she says she feels like a different person and her oral health is brilliant.

Finlay's Testimonials

Delighted patient treated by Rachel using Invisalign clear braces.

Rachel treated this patient with Invisalign. She was delighted with the outcome of the treatment.

Rachel's Testimonials

Dear Finlay and Team

I am unable to thank you enough for the excellent work you and the team have done for me. I am more than happy with the results. I am only sorry I am unable to express myself better.

I feel more confident and can chew any food like I used to. Thanks so much.

Looking forward to my annual check up and seeing you all again.

March 2018

Bert

Many, many grateful 'thank you's for what you all have done for me. My teeth are fantastic and my confidence has risen. Your skills and patience are fantastic. Thank you once again, you have given me my smile back.

Thank you very much for your efforts to make my smile confident again!

I have worn dentures successfully for a great number of years, but naturally, as I have got older my gums have receded and my dentures became less comfortable. Also, equally bad, my mouth had collapsed, giving me a Mr Punch-like appearance! I needed help and, having discussed the best course of action with my regular dentist, he advised that I should see Finlay. From the outset of my treatment, I was immediately put at ease. Finlay knew exactly how I felt and has magically corrected my mouth and facial appearance with the help of his team Rowan and Clare. They are a brilliant, talented, caring trio. I now have a wonderful set of natural looking dentures. I smile with renewed confidence and my family tell me that I look ten years younger! A VERY BIG THANK YOU.

Dear Finlay and Team

Thank you so much for achieving the near impossible and restoring my smile – which has restored my confidence and wellbeing.

The whole experience was exceptional, from the friendliness and care to the empathy you all showed to me.

I am so grateful.

Love to all.

Sylvia

Dear Finlay, Rowan, Claire, and the team

Many many thanks for my dentures, they are nothing short of “Technical wizardry”

I have been quite a challenge, but you have met each one with care and expertise, after years of ill fitting dentures and pain, I now have great fitting, natural looking top teeth, a few minor adjustments needed, but all will be well in the end.

Thanks again for the care and kindness shown to me throughout my treatment, I didn’t feel like I was visiting the dentist but like visiting friends.

“Keep changing lives”

Love and kind regards AB

May 2019

I would just like to say how great you have been with me, making me so relaxed and given what information I wanted as we went along. I’m much more confident in coming to the dentist.

Dear Finlay and Claire

Thank you for your support and kindness during my treatment.

You really show so much care and compassion for your patients.

My appointments were always so friendly and reassuring much more than I have ever experienced with many other dentists.

I was expecting a traumatic experience, but you have both made it totally a great journey.

Keep smiling

Sue B

Dec 2018

Sue

Dear Rachel and the team,

I am so pleased that I went forward with my treatment, and it has been a very worthwhile investment which I will reap the rewards of throughout my lifetime.

I am so happy with the work that Rachel has done, and it has completely changed the way in which I view my teeth. It has changed my smile and has therefore improved my confidence overall.

For anyone thinking of any orthodontic treatment, I would highly recommend speaking to Rachel or another member of the team as they are all easy to talk to and incredibly helpful.

A massive thank you to Rachel and the team.

May 2019

A huge thank you to Finlay for applying his expertise down to the minutest detail in order to create for me the most fabulous, natural-looking, and superb-fitting dentures. Also to Rowan for his exquisite craftsmanship, thus creating these beautiful dentures. And to Clare for her professional part in the process and also for making me feel welcome and relaxed.

To Dr Finlay Sutton, Rowan and the gang

First, I was afraid, I was petrified, cue for a song here me thinks!

Yes, indeed I was frightened and have been all my life of the dreaded dentist, probably because of the bad experiences with the school dentist back in the day. However, I needn’t have been because I was referred to this practice in Garstang where I was greeted by the wonderful Karen and equally wonderful nurse Claire, who from day one made me feel important to them and made me feel relaxed.I then met Dr Finlay Sutton such a gentle and caring man and so professional. He told me that I needed to have all my teeth removed because of gum disease but I knew instantly that I was in safe hands.

It was an amazing experience and after lots of visits, I now have my smile back. My new teeth are wonderful, so natural looking and people compliment me on them all the time.

So, a very big thank you to Rowan, Dr Finlay Sutton and the team.

Dr Finlay – you are simply the best!

From hating the dentist, I have grown to love Garstang Dental Referral Practice. You have become my friends for life.

Thank you and kind regards

Nancy

June 2018

Nany V

Dear Finlay, I’d just like to thank you very much for the work you have done on my front tooth - I really have something to smile about now! Please thank all your colleagues, too. You all made me feel at ease.

I just want to say I am very pleased with the denture you made for me, thank you! Your care throughout was excellent. Carry on with the good work.

To Finlay & the team, I would like to thank all at Garstang Dental Referral Practice for the care and consideration I have received over the past ten months during the period you have carried out the implant procedure which I hoped would transform my ‘smile’ without the need for a denture. Normally a visit to the dentist is a daunting experience, but I can honestly say that I have looked forward to each & every visit. The end result is ‘fantastic’ & I can understand why Finlay is so proud of his practice. I will recommend you, without reservation, to anyone I know who, in the future, requires specialist dental treatment.

Finlay, Thank you very much for everything… you did a wonderful job.

To Finlay and all the team, Just wanted to say a big thank you for my new front tooth and the fantastic care I received. If I have any problems with my teeth in the future, I will definitely come back for your expertise. Thank you.

Dear Finlay, Rowan, Claire and the entire team

I have filled in the post treatment questionnaire and it looks like I have rushed through it ticking the mostly never questions. Actually, I have really thought about each question carefully and the reason for mostly never answers is because of the amazing professional treatment that I have received at your practice. My old denture was fine, but the new denture is so light and well-fitting and absolutely no problem at all.

Thank you and also thank you for helping me at every stage of the procedure. It has also been a pleasure for me and good to know that you have my best interest at heart.

I would like to add that I was so lucky to end up with Finlay and his team, I don’t think anywhere in the world, I would have had as good a treatment.

Hope all is going well at Weind House.

Best wishes to you all

Helen K

Feb 2019

Helen K