Orthodontics involves much more than simple tooth straightening. It entails facilitating healthy facial development – which, in turn, supports self-esteem and wellbeing. Treatment times for the effectiveness of orthodontic treatments – such as braces – can vary from eighteen months to two years.

Our friendly team will ensure you are thoroughly appraised of what your treatment will require.

We are able to prescribe orthodontics for children, and we will ensure you receive a comprehensive overview of the options available.

Types of Orthodontic Treatments

Dental braces are not what they used to be. A variety of new techniques and equipment have been developed to enhance the patient's experience and shorten treatment times.

There are a wide variety of orthodontic treatments available, and the correct treatment depends largely on the individual needs of the patient.

Some treatments, such as orthodontic plates, are best for young children whose teeth and jaws are still growing, while treatments with low visibility, such as Invisalign®, may be ideal for adults.

Some of the most common orthodontic treatments include:

Braces

At our Central Coast practice, we are able to prescribe and fit braces for patients of virtually all ages. We offer traditional metal braces – in the colour of your preference.

There are many advantages to having braces fitted. In addition to assisting the healthy growth of teeth, braces:

What can traditional braces help with?

Some common issues that may improve with fixed braces include:

• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Underbites, overbites and crossbites
• Limited breathing
• Unevenly spaced teeth
• Gapped teeth

Invisalign

We are able to fit cutting-edge Invisalign treatments at our Central Coast practice. Unlike regular braces, Invisalign utilises clear plastic aligners that are virtually invisible and removable, making them a discreet and convenient way to straighten teeth.

It is recommended to wear Invisalign aligners for up to 22 hours a day to achieve the best results. Patients are provided with multiple trays in advance and simply change to the next aligner in the series themselves at home, usually every 1–2 weeks, without needing to check in with the dentist each time.

Formal follow-up appointments are still booked in every 8 to 10 weeks, allowing your dentist to review progress and provide you with your next set of trays.

What are the benefits of clear aligner treatment?

Clear aligners have become extremely popular due to their subtle appearance. They are transparent in colour, almost invisible, and custom-made to fit snugly on your teeth. There are many advantages to using clear aligners over traditional braces:

• They are almost invisible and have a discreet appearance.
• They're removable, so you can take them out for eating, drinking, and photos.
• They are easy to clean when you take them out.
• They're more comfortable as they are custom-made to fit your mouth.
• They can usually straighten your teeth in a shorter amount of time.

Who can benefit from an orthodontic treatment?

There are a wide variety of conditions that can be improved through the use of orthodontic treatment. Although age is a consideration, it is not the only factor in the dentist's choice of treatment.

Conditions that may require the use of orthodontic treatments include:

• Poor alignment of top and bottom molars that complicate or prevent chewing.
• A crossbite, in which the upper teeth rest behind the lower teeth.
• A deep bite or overbite, in which the upper front teeth cover the front of the lower front teeth.
• An open bite, in which the front teeth do not touch at all when biting.
• Teeth that are misaligned, angled, crowded, or spaced too far apart.
• Jaw / joint pain (TMD) and headaches due to clenching and misaligned teeth.
• Tooth decay, bone loss, and excessive wear on the surface of the teeth due to poor alignment.

To determine the best treatment option for your needs, your dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination and assessment of your dental condition. If your condition can't be treated by a general dentist, you will receive a referral.

Care and maintenance

When you wear braces, aligners, or retainers, it will be necessary to adjust your eating habits to prevent damage to both the hardware and your teeth.

We recommend avoiding hard foods and sticky sweets that can break or pull your braces from your teeth such as gum, toffee, popcorn, nuts, hard biscuits, etc. You should also avoid biting into foods with your front teeth. Rather, cut foods into manageable pieces that you can chew with your back teeth.

Braces can trap food in your mouth after you eat, so be sure to brush and floss after every meal. Continue to floss and brush your teeth regularly, but be sure to use the special brushes and flossing tools recommended (and typically provided) by your dentist.

Specialised floss brushes and mouthwash are particularly useful for cleaning out braces after a meal. Carry a small cleaning kit with you to school or work, so you have the supplies you need on hand to keep your braces and teeth in ideal condition.