Oral health advice for patients with orthodontic appliances

The main reason for orthodontic treatment is to improve facial aesthetics and to create or maintain a normal functioning occlusion. There is also a role for orthodontics as an adjunct to orthognathic, restorative and periodontal treatment in both adolescents and adults. Over the last 20 years there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of adults who seek orthodontic treatment and also an improvement in the availability of orthodontic services both under the NHS and in the private sector. In general people are keeping their teeth longer and are turning to orthodontics for aesthetic reasons. Adults may also require retreatment of previous orthodontic treatment that has failed or to help alleviate snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea problems.