Treatments
Orthodontics and retainers
Straightening teeth is only half the job. Holding them there is the other half, and it is the half most people underestimate. Dr Justin Lee handles retainers, aligner treatment, and honest referrals when a case needs a specialist.
Lost or broken retainer?
This is worth acting on quickly rather than adding to the list of things to sort out eventually. Teeth do not wait politely while you get around to it.
- Teeth begin drifting within days of stopping wear
- A replacement made months later may no longer fit the original position
- Drifted teeth can change the bite, not just the appearance
- Redoing treatment costs many times more than replacing a retainer
Options for straightening teeth
Which one suits you depends on how much movement is needed, not on which sounds most appealing.
Clear aligners
Removable, discreet, and suited to crowding, spacing and milder bite issues. The option most adults ask about.
Retainers
Made new, or replaced when lost or broken. Retention is what protects the result you already paid for, whoever did the original treatment.
Referral to an orthodontist
For significant bite corrections, jaw discrepancies, or complex cases in growing children. Better done by a specialist than approximated by me.
What a general dentist should and should not take on
Plenty of orthodontic work sits comfortably within general practice, particularly aligner treatment for crowding and spacing, and anything to do with retention. Some does not.
If your case needs a specialist, you will hear that at the consultation rather than discovering it partway through a treatment plan. I would rather refer you and keep you as a patient for everything else than start something that will not get you where you wanted to go.
Individual results and timeframes vary from person to person, depending on the condition of your teeth, gums, and other relevant medical conditions. I'll always give you a personalised treatment plan at your consultation appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Book an orthodontic consultation
Whether it is a replacement retainer or you are weighing up straightening your teeth properly for the first time, start with a look and an honest conversation.