Skip to content
The Initial Assessment
The patient first visited our clinic in late 2021 alongside their mother. Our specialist team, led by Orthodontist Claire O’Sullivan, identified several complex developmental features:
- Bite Discrepancy: A Class II Division 2 incisor relationship with retroclined (inwardly tipped) lower front teeth.
- Crowding: Mild-to-moderate crowding in developing permanent dentition.
- Jaw Alignment: The need for orthopaedic guidance to improve how the upper and lower jaws met.
The Comprehensive Treatment Programme
To avoid tooth extractions and work with the patient’s natural growth, we design-engineered a two-phase treatment strategy:
Phase 1: Twin Block Functional Therapy (Late 2021 – Mid 2022)
We began by fitting custom Twin Block appliances. These specialised, removable blocks are designed to gently encourage the lower jaw forward while expanding the dental arches. Over several months, the patient successfully adjusted the appliances, widening the arches and naturally correcting the deep bite.
Phase 2: Fixed Metal Braces (Mid 2022 – Mid 2024)
Once the structural jaw foundation was optimised, high-quality fixed braces were bonded to both arches. Over a 21-month period, our orthodontic therapists systematically aligned individual teeth, rotated stubborn canines, and perfected the patient’s final bite using Class II elastics. The braces were beautifully debonded in May 2024, revealing a radiant, straight smile.
Beyond Orthodontics: Proactive Wisdom Teeth Management
Our care doesn’t stop when the braces come off. During post-treatment monitoring, panoramic X-rays (OPGs) revealed that all four wisdom teeth were unerupted and lacked room to develop safely.
Because the patient had a severe, anaphylactic fish allergy, our clinic seamlessly coordinated a referral to Oral Surgeon Dr Deepak Thomas. The wisdom teeth were safely removed under general anaesthesia in a hospital environment in early 2025. Post-operative follow-ups showed fantastic healing, ensuring the patient remained entirely pain-free.
Active Retention: Protecting the Investment
In May 2026, the patient returned to our clinic after accidentally breaking their upper Essix retainer. An immediate clinical examination by Dr Emmet Ryan confirmed that their dentition remains in excellent health, with absolutely no tooth decay and beautifully stable alignment.
We promptly took new impressions to manufacture a replacement upper retainer, ensuring their straight smile remains perfectly safeguarded against orthodontic relapse.
- The Specialist Advantage: By tracking this patient's development from jaw growth through to wisdom teeth management, we provided a seamless, multi-year circle of care. This interceptive approach created a wider smile profile and a healthy, functional bite built to last a lifetime.
Protect Your Child's Developing Smile
Early interventions like Twin Blocks can dramatically reduce the need for complex dental extractions later in life. If you have multiple children, ask our reception team about our bespoke family and sibling treatment options.
