W DENTISTRY
L
LET’S TALK ORTHODONTICS
Richard Gibson, Principal of Wallasey Orthodontics and Consultant at Liverpool University Dental Hospital
shares with us his insight into Orthodontics and its benefits!
Orthodontics, the branch of dentistry concerned with the
growth of the teeth, jaws and face, is in high demand.
More than 200,000 children and teenagers in England and
Wales have treatment within the NHS every year, with growing
numbers of adults and young people seeking treatment on a
private basis.
Why? Orthodontic treatment is about making the best of your
teeth; it’s about improving the harmony of your mouth and
jaws. Once you can bite together correctly, you can eat more
comfortably and care for your teeth and gums more easily. And
your smile will benefit immensely!
In good health, your teeth sit in a delicate balance between the
soft tissues of your lips and tongue, their roots contained within
bone and gum. Orthodontists use their skills and knowledge
to maximise the appearance and function of the teeth without
upsetting this important equilibrium.
Any dentist can, in theory, use braces but an Orthodontist is a
dentist who has gone through a minimum of 3 years specific
orthodontic training, successfully passing the Membership in
Orthodontic examination set by the Royal College of Surgeons.
They will be registered with the General Dental Council for
orthodontics and are trained in all routine aspects of diagnosis,
planning and treatment. Orthodontists can at this stage choose
to apply for further advanced training in more complex care
which allows them to become a hospital Consultant.
Richard Gibson studied dentistry in Newcastle-upon-Tyne
where he met the love of his life. They lived and worked in
Newcastle until Richard was appointed to embark upon his
orthodontic training at Liverpool University Dental Hospital
and carry out his Masters in Orthodontics at Liverpool
University for which he was awarded a Distinction. On
completion of his speciality training in orthodontics and
being awarded the Liverpool Orthodontologic award for best
treated cases he was appointed to carry out further training to
become a Consultant with additional training in complex multi-
disciplinary cases and duly started a Consultant position in
60 wirrallife.com
Liverpool in 2013. He currently works part-time in the hospital
providing complex specialist care concentrating on combined
surgical and restorative cases alongside the use of temporary
anchorage within orthodontics.
Richard started in Wallasey in 2011 and became the practice
principal in 2014. He has 2 little boys who love driving him
crazy but who also support mum and daddy as they compete
around the country in the Spartan Race series.
Richard said: “Wallasey Orthodontic Practice has been
providing specialist orthodontic services to the Wirral and
beyond since 1982 and provides contemporary, evidence based,
efficient and effective Consultant led treatment in a friendly
and welcoming environment for both children and adults
from a convenient and accessible location. Our approach is to
encourage patients to manage and maintain great dental and
oral health and allow them to embrace the smile they always
dreamed of and this is achieved through lending our expertise,
knowledge and skills with the patients desire for a winning
smile.”
Benefits of orthodontic treatment include:
• Removing dental crowding or closing spaces.
• Straightening teeth.
• Correcting the bite, so that the front teeth meet on closing
and the back teeth mesh together.
• Reducing the likelihood of damage to prominent teeth
• Enhancing facial aesthetics.
• Accommodating impacted, unerupted or displaced teeth.
• Preparation for advanced dental treatment, such as crowns,
bridges or dental implants.
• Reversing the drifting of the teeth in older patients who
have suffered from advanced gum disease.
People choose to have orthodontic treatment for any number
of personal reasons but with the aesthetic advances in braces
materials and flexible payment options – that smile you’ve
always dreamed of, may be closer than you think!
To find out more about Wallasey Orthodontics, visit:
www.wallaseyorthodontics.co.uk