Orthodontic treatment
Hospital-based orthodontists work closely with oral and maxillofacial surgeons to look after patients with a variety of problems, including ectopic (abnormally growing) or impacted teeth, or severe jaw deformity. Many orthodontic problems are developmental, which means a high proportion of our patients are growing children.
Orthodontic treatment can help to correct the position and bite of your teeth. It might involve the removal of teeth but also usually means using braces.
Orthodontic treatment can take up to two years, and is usually only started after most of a child's adult teeth have started to come through. This is usually when they're about 12 years old, but it depends on how many of their adult teeth have come through and the growth of their face and jaws. Orthodontic treatment for adults can begin at any age.
Information and about us
Our orthodontic department will receive a referral from your dentist, asking us to look at your teeth and decide if you will need treatment.
During your initial consultation with us, we will decide on your treatment plan. You might also need to have a radiograph taken of your teeth. Most radiographs are taken within the department by one of the dental nurse team, but on occasion we may need to send you to the X-ray department at Wonford Hospital.
Following your consultation, your dentist will receive a summary of the consultation with details of any further treatment that may be needed, which could include further appointments with us.
If you need to return to us to start treatment, you might visit one of the orthodontic team. Before treatment starts, you will be seen in the hygiene clinics by one of the dental nurses to highlight the importance of keeping your teeth clean and sticking to a good diet, especially while having your orthodontic treatment. You will also be seen by the orthodontic therapist to take moulds and photographs of your teeth.
The orthodontist in charge of your treatment will discuss your treatment and the types of braces that will be needed. You may need to see our surgical colleagues to carry out carry our certain parts of your treatment, such as uncovering buried teeth. On other occasions, we may ask your dentist to carry out some straightforward treatment prior to fitting your braces.
Depending on the type of treatment you require, you will need to see us regularly (every eight weeks) for approximately 18-30 months.
Contact us
East
Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford)
Main switchboard on 01392 411611
Telephone: 01392 402218 or 01392 404751
North
North Devon District Hospital
Main switchboard on 01271 322577
Where to find us
Your healthcare professional will advise where your appointment will take place. Your appointment may take place at one of our outpatient clinics situated within our main hospital sites or within the community.
Eastern services
RD&E Heavitree, Gladstone Rd, Exeter EX1 2ED
Level 3
Northern Services
North Devon District Hospital
North Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 4JB
Meet the team
The service is led by three orthodontic consultants who are supported by an orthodontic therapist and a speciality doctor, as well as a dental nurse, technician and secretarial teams. The department is involved in training, and has two specialty trainees who also work under the supervision of our Consultants.
Our consultants are:
- Dr Matthew Moore BDS, DDS, MOrth, FDS (Orth), RCSEd – Consultant Orthodontist
- Mrs Amelia Jerreat BDS, MSC, MOrth , FDS (Orth), RCSEd, TLHP – Consultant Orthodontist
- Ms Louise Kneafsey BDS MSc MOrth (Lon) FDS RCS (Lon) – Consultant Orthodontist
Services and treatments
Treatment that can be provided within the department includes:
- Orthodontics and surgical intervention, such as impacted teeth or teeth which have yet to come into the mouth, as well as the presence of extra teeth
- Orthognathic treatment for correction of abnormal bites and facial deformity - this could involve both orthodontics and surgery to reposition the jaws
- Treatment of patients with developmentally-absent teeth, or teeth that have not grown or developed at all
- Protruding front teeth or those that have experienced trauma to their upper front teeth
- Severe crowding – insufficient space for new teeth to come through into the mouth
We also provide advice and treatment plans for other health care professionals in the community. This is in line with national practice for orthodontic secondary care and in agreement with the British Orthodontic Society.
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Useful videos
We have a wide range of videos which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.