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Orthodontics

What we do

Our orthodontics service is based at Bristol Dental Hospital and outreach clinics at Weston General Hospital, Royal United Hospital in Bath, and Southmead Hospital.

Our specialisms

Cleft lip and palate, orthodontics and jaw deformity.

Conditions we treat

  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Orthodontics
  • Jaw deformity

Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice

Please use this website to help you if you are currently having brace treatment here at Bristol Dental Hospital. It provides useful information about your future appointments, your brace, how to keep up to date with information and how to look after your brace. There is a useful section with frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help answer questions you may have about problems with your brace. There are also contact details for the department in case you need any further help that is not covered in the website.

We are not able to see patients for normal orthodontic appointments.

This is because restrictions are in place to reduce further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to protect our patients, staff and the wider community.

We will contact you to arrange an appointment as soon as we are able to see you. It is likely to be a few months before we are back to normal service arrangements. We will keep you updated on this website.

Queries about my brace

If you have any concerns about your brace, we are happy to talk to you to offer advice. Our contact details are at the bottom of this page.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions further down this page for answers to some common queries.

How will this affect my treatment?

It is important you look after your brace until we can see you again. This will make sure you get the best possible outcome from your treatment. There are some tips below.

It is possible that your treatment will take longer. We hope you understand that your health and well-being are our priority and we will see you as soon as we can.

Keeping up to date

The British Orthodontic Society (BOS) are providing useful and up to date advice. To keep up to date with UK guidance we encourage you to check their website or follow the BOS Facebook posts.

 

Looking after your brace

Keeping your brace clean

  • Brush your teeth every morning, night and every time you eat. Remember to use small brushes to get in around your brace, with particular care needed to keep the gum margins clean.
  • Use an adult fluoride toothpaste. After brushing spit, but do not rinse with water.
  • You can also use a fluoride mouthwash at a different time to brushing.
  • If you have a removable brace, please remember to take it out to clean it and remember to keep wearing it at other times.

Diet advice

  • Reduce the frequency of sugary foods by trying to only eat these at meal times.
  • Avoid fizzy drinks (even diet varieties) and natural fruit juices as these are often high in sugar and can be acidic. Water is the best drink for your teeth.
  • Healthy foods to eat between meals include soft wholemeal bread, plain cheese, fruit and vegetables.

Being careful not to break your brace

  • Avoid crunchy, hard or sticky foods - these may break your brace.
  • Some foods like apples may need to be cut up into smaller pieces.
  • Avoid chewing pen lids and biting your nails.
  • Try not to fiddle with your brace.
  • Please contact your orthodontic team and they can give you advice.

 

FAQs: possible problems with your brace

 

There is further information and videos to help you look after your brace and manage any brace problems on the  British Orthodontic Society website.

We always recommend trying to contacting your orthodontic provider before you attempt to fix any problems yourself, as there is a risk you might damage your brace.

Something on my brace is loose

If part of your brace has snapped or become loose, you only need to contact us if it is painful or there is a danger of you inhaling it. If it is not causing you any pain, we can fix your brace next time we see you.

My brace is rubbing

Please use the wax you were given at the start of your treatment or call us 0117 3424346 or 0117 3429547 and we can post you out some wax to put on the bit that is rubbing you.

I have run out of elastics

Don't worry we can post you some more if you call on 0117 3424346 or 0117 3429547.

I don't know if I need to wear my elastics

If you are not sure whether to wear your elastics, please email us and we can arrange a telephone consultation with an orthodontist.

I was due to have my fixed braces removed. Do I need to come in?

Unfortunately we cannot provide any non-urgent treatment at this time. We will be in touch as soon as we can see you to remove your brace. Please make sure you look after your brace carefully to avoid damage to your teeth or brace.

Should I keep wearing my removable brace?

If you are not sure whether you need to wear your removable brace, please email us and we can arrange a telephone consultation with an orthodontist.

Contact us

If you are a patient in the department and have any queries, someone in the team will be able to help. Please call on 0117 3424346 or 0117 3429547 between 8.30am-2pm Monday-Friday. Please be aware the telephone lines are likely to be very busy.