About
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Ideally, an Orthodontist likes to see a patient at the age of about 9 or 10. Sometimes early intervention may be required preventing the need for alternative or more invasive treatments later. A smile however, can always be improved upon, at any age, one Dental Health is well maintained.
Treatment for younger patients usually takes approximately 18-24 months. Some adult cases may take longer but this varies greatly, depending on each individual case and the severity of its nature.
Shorter treatments times in some adults can also be considered where suitable.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that corrects teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly. Crooked teeth and teeth that do not fit together correctly are harder to keep clean, are at risk of being lost early due to tooth decay and periodontal disease, and cause extra stress on the chewing muscles that can lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder and back pain. Teeth that are crooked or not in the right place can also detract from one’s appearance.
The benefits of orthodontic treatment include a healthier mouth, a more pleasing appearance, and teeth that are more likely to last a lifetime.
DR. DEREK SHEILS
Dr. Derek Sheils is our Specialized Orthodontist here at Waterford Orthodontics. He first graduated from the University College Cork as a General Dentist in 1993. Dr. Sheils went on to spend 3 years working in a General Dental Practice in the UK before obtaining 3 years’ experience in a hospital environment, working various posts in Pediatric and Restorative Dentistry, as well as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
In 1998, Dr. Sheils attained his Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. This gained him the eligibility to be accepted onto a 3 year postgraduate Orthodontic training programme in Guys Dental Hospital, London.
In 2002 Dr. Sheils was awarded his Masters in Orthodontics from the University of London and also gained his membership in Orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh & the British Orthodontic Society.
Dr. Sheils is a member of the British Orthodontic Society, the Irish Dental Association, the Orthodontic Society of Ireland and is registered as a Dental Specialist with the Dental Council of Ireland.
Links & Associations
- Orthodontic Society of Ireland – http://www.orthodontics.ie/
- British Orthodontic Society – http://www.bos.org.uk/
- Dental Council of Ireland – http://www.dentalcouncil.ie/
- Irish Dental Association – http://www.dentist.ie/