Frequently Asked Questions
- Why straighten teeth?
- How are teeth straightened?
- Why should I have orthodontic treatment?
- When should my child see an orthodontist?
- Will braces affect my child's lifestyle or mine?
- Will treatment be uncomfortable?
- Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
- Is adult treatment different to that given to children or teenagers?
- What is Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery?
- Do I need a referral to see an orthdontist?
- How long does treatment take?
- What are diagnostic records – photos, x-rays, study models etc?
- What is retention?
- How much will treatment cost?
- How do I pay?
- Should I take out health insurance?
Why straighten teeth?
There are good reasons to have your teeth straightened. For example, you may be embarrassed by their crooked appearance. Also, the long term effects of bad tooth alignment, such as uneven wear and gum damage, may get worse as you grow older. Naturally most people wish to keep their teeth healthy throughout their life and orthodontic treatment will help you achieve this.
Back to top ^How are teeth straightened?
Braces are usually the most precise and effective way to straighten teeth. Invisalign® is another, more aesthetic alternative. Some problems can be treated with simpler devices such as removable plates. Your Orthodontist will be able to advise what is most suitable for you or your children.
Back to top ^Why should I have orthodontic treatment?
These days, with regular dental care, teeth should last a person's lifetime. Crooked teeth and jaws can interfere with jaw function and speech, and lead to long-term dental problems such as tooth wear and gum damage. Orthodontic treatment fixes these problems, laying the foundation for you or your children's long-term dental health. An attractive smile will also boost self-confidence, helping to achieve an individual's full potential.
Back to top ^When should my child see an Orthodontist?
Most orthodontic problems are best treated when a person is young. We recommend taking your child to see an Orthodontist around 8 years of age so that the optimum starting time can be determined. Treatment usually does not start that early (unless there is a specific problem) but growth and development can be monitored to assess the ideal time for treatment.
Back to top ^Will braces affect my child's lifestyle or mine?
No. Despite wearing braces you can still work, talk, sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, etc. However you do need to be careful about what and how you eat. Avoid hard, sticky and sugary foods and acidic drinks (such as soft drinks, sports drinks and fruit juices).
Back to top ^Will treatment be uncomfortable?
Wearing braces is simple and generally quite easy with the modern devices available. However, braces do need to be regularly adjusted, and this will make the teeth feel tender for a few days. During this short period, soft foods and a mild analgesic may be needed. Also, some of the modern orthodontic wires are temperature sensitive. With cold temperatures these wires relax and go very soft taking most of the pressure off the teeth. At body temperature, or at the temperature of a hot tea or coffee, the wire will place the ideal amount of pressure on the teeth.
Back to top ^Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?
Many people who missed out on having their teeth straightened as a child can still benefit from treatment as an adult. Provided you have healthy teeth, gums and bones orthodontic treatment can normally be done at any age. If this is an issue we can advise on achieving this oral health prior to treatment.
Back to top ^Is adult treatment different from that given to children or teenagers?
Yes. The main difference for an adult is the increased bone density, cessation of jaw growth, increased likelihood of gum problems, and worn, broken or missing teeth. Due to these factors, some adults may need to see other dental specialists as well as an Orthodontist for complete treatment.
Back to top ^What is Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery?
There are two main questions to ask when deciding whether orthodontic treatment is necessary:
- Are the teeth in the right place?
- Are the jaws in the right place?
It is relatively easy to see when the teeth are crowded or protruding but perhaps not so easy to see if the jaws do not match in size or if one jaw is positioned either too far forward or too far back in comparison with each other.
ORTHODONTIC CAMOUFLAGE
If there is not too much of a mismatch in jaw position, then orthodontics can largely camouflage this jaw discrepancy and this is what the orthodontist does for many patients. When there is a significant difference in jaw position, then the position of the jaws need to be fixed before the teeth can be put in the best position for chewing. Another advantage of repositioning the jaws is that for many people it gives an enormous improvement in profile and appearance.
THE ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEON
When it is desirable to position both the teeth and the jaws, the orthodontist works together with another dental specialist, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Many of these surgeons are fully qualified medical practitioners as well as specialist dentists. The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon performs an operation for the patient in hospital which repositions either one or both jaws into an improved position. Jaws can be moved in any direction – with limitations - just as teeth can.
A TEAM APPROACH
As you can read here, the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon is very much a part of modern orthodontics. Orthognathic (jaw) surgery is not for everybody but for those who would benefit from its advantages, it is a very rewarding treatment option which a modern orthodontic team can offer.
TREATMENT
Treatment is divided into three parts.
Part 1 is the pre-surgical orthodontic phase when braces are fitted to the teeth in order to “de-compensate” them, that is, align and level the teeth and to place them in the correct angle in the supporting bone. Normally this takes 12 to 18 months of active tooth movement. You should be aware that by the end of this phase your facial profile and the position of your teeth are liable to look worse rather than better. This is deliberate and unavoidable because your orthodontic treatment has been undoing nature’s attempt to mask the skeletal discrepancy of your jaws, in preparation for the surgical correction.
Part 2 is the surgical phase when, with the braces still fitted to the teeth, you will be admitted to hospital were your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon will make the necessary surgical corrections to the jaws.
Part 3 is the post-surgical orthodontic phase, usually lasting about six months, when the final orthodontic detailing and positioning of your bite is carried out.
Back to top ^Do I need a referral to see an Orthodontist?
No. You can contact an Orthodontist directly for an appointment with no referral required.
Back to top ^How long does treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the original problem. Generally orthodontic treatment can take between one and two years. After braces are taken off, retainer devices are used for several years to maintain the teeth in their new position.
Back to top ^What are diagnostic records – photos, x-rays, study models etc?
Diagnostic records are those additional items that are gathered that, along with a clinical assessment, are used to ensure an accurate diagnosis which then leads to an ideal plan for treatment. Those additional items include x-rays of the jaws and teeth, photographs of the face, mouth and teeth, impressions of the teeth which are made in to models. Occasionally other records are taken such as video footage of the face and teeth and other x-rays or scans of the jaws.
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What is retention?
Retention is the maintenance of teeth in their new position after braces are removed to ensure they do not drift back towards their original position. The device used to do this is called a retainer. Wearing a retainer allows the gums and bone to adapt to the new positions of the teeth. Ideally, but not always, retainers are for life.
Back to top ^How much will treatment cost?
The cost of treatment will depend on the severity of the person's problem and the type of treatment selected. We will provide you with a written quote and payment options prior to commencing treatment.
Back to top ^How do I pay?
Payments can be made by cash, cheque, direct debit or credit card. EFTPOS facilities are available for credit and debit cards. Credit card payments can also be taken over the phone.
CONTRACT PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Cash or cheque payments made in full at the start of active treatment qualify for a discount of 5%. Alternately, an interest-free contract can be arranged over a set period of time using:
- direct debit from your nominated account, OR
- a direct charge to your nominated credit card
There will be an initial charge when treatment commences, then monthly direct debit or credit payments are required until the contract fee is paid in full. This is set up as an automatic deduction.
PAYMENT FOR BREAKAGES AND REPAIRS:
These are charged out on a per visit basis and are due at the time of the repair.
RECEIPTS:
In line with modern business practices, receipts will be issued upon request only.
HEALTH FUNDS:
If you have dental health insurance, please contact your fund directly to organise your maximum rebate. At the start of active treatment you need to take a letter provided by us to your health fund detailing your fee and repayment plan.
Back to top ^Should I take out health insurance?
Health funds repay a percentage of the cost of orthodontic treatment for fund members who have the appropriate level of dental insurance. Prior to taking out health insurance, it is recommended that you carefully check the premiums, conditions and level of rebate offered. Important questions you should ask your health fund before commencing any treatment are:
- What is my maximum rebate?
- What is the maximum benefit I can recieve per year?
- Does this work on a calendar or financial year?
For more information, download our Tax Rebate Information Sheet (PDF format - 83KB).
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