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Specialist Orthodontists Sydney

Orthodontics: Straight Talk about Crooked Teeth

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry which involves identification, diagnosis and treatment of problems associated with jaw growth and the alignment of teeth. Treatment is varied, however generally involves corrective appliances such as braces, aligners and expanders to improve the position and alignment of teeth and jaws to improve their function and the appearance of the overall facial structures.

What Can Orthodontics Improve?

If you have any of the following, then you may be a candidate for orthodontic treatment:

  • Crowding: when there is not enough space for the teeth to align straight
  • Spacing: gaps between teeth which may have always been there or have occurred through loss of teeth
  • Open bite: space between the biting surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth when the back teeth are together
  • Cross-bite: when the lower teeth sit outside the upper teeth
  • Over-bite: when the upper teeth are tooth far forward, commonly referred to as ‘buck teeth’
  • Under-bite: Lower teeth are too far forward (or upper teeth too far back)- giving a ‘bulldog’ appearance

Reference: Colgate

Benefits of Straight Teeth

The benefits of having a straight smile go way beyond that of improving self-confidence and appearance. Alignment of teeth can significantly affect your overall dental health, having the following benefits:

    • Healthier teeth and gums: being easier to clean results in less plaque accumulation, lower incidence of gingivitis and of periodontal ‘gum’ disease.
    • Lower incidence of bad breathe
    • Improvement in speech: lower incidence of word slurring, mispronunciation, lisping or whistling.
    • Reduction of uneven wear
    • Improvement in general eating: being able to chew food correctly is essential for the first stage of digestion

Children Orthodontic Options

Options for children are varied, and the ideal time for diagnosis is between the ages of 7-10 years old. This might seem early, however this is when growth of the jaws is occurring. It is this time when we are able to create space in the jaws so that adult teeth naturally fit and align. Gone are the days of waiting until a child is in mid-teens and removing 4 teeth to create space to align the teeth!

By shifting our focus on earlier treatment we are able to shorten the time it takes to achieve straight teeth and at a lower cost. This often involves:

  • Expanders
  • Partial braces
  • Plates

Each child is different so each treatment plan is tailored specifically to the child’s dental condition. Speak to your child’s dentist at their next check-up.

Adult Orthodontic Options

At About Smiles Dental Centres we offer two options for adult orthodontic treatments to help you achieve straight teeth.

  • Traditional Braces; or
  • Invisible Braces

Selecting the most suitable treatment option for you is dependent on how crooked your teeth are, bite issues, costs and age.

Regardless of which option is chosen, at About Smiles Dental Centres we are at the fore-front of technology and use a highly accurate digital scanner instead of conventional putty moulds, which in turn makes treatment planning very precise and treatment time is reduced. This computer design is used to create a device which is used to place all of the braces onto the teeth in the most accurate and time effective means possible. No longer do we need to glue each individual bracket to teeth which is time consuming, less accurate and uncomfortable for patients.

In addition to digital scanning, we have made great advances in the design of braces that we use, specifically passive-self ligating braces, which do not use coloured elastic bands. This may seem a minor detail, however when the braces do not require elastic bands to hold the wires in, they allow the wire to sit more freely and this allows for more rapid tooth movement, hence treatment times are reduced and we achieve more beautiful results.

To find out if orthodontic treatment is suitable for you, book a consultation today here or call Chatswood (02) 9415 3555, Zetland (02) 9313 6388, Westfield Eastgardens (02) 8488 9994.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

FAQs

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a type of dentistry dedicated to correcting misaligned teeth, bite patterns and jaws. Orthodontic treatments include wearing retainers, aligner plates or dental braces. While misaligned teeth and jaws are considered ‘abnormal’, it’s very common to need some kind of orthodontic treatment for good dental health.

Is it important to get orthodontic treatments?

If left untreated, orthodontic problems can worsen over time, exacerbating other issues and leading to pain or an increased risk of other more complex dental problems. If your dentist has recommended orthodontic treatment, it’s important to act on this to keep your teeth in good condition.

What will increase my treatment time?

Many factors will define how long your orthodontic treatment will take, and as some of the best orthodontics in Sydney, our dentists can advise you on how long your treatment plan will take. Maintaining good oral hygiene and dealing with broken or missing dental appliances as part of your orthodontic treatment is important, as these issues can prolong your treatment time.

Do you offer orthodontic treatments in Sydney for children?

In the past, orthodontics treatments were not appropriate for children before puberty, as their adult teeth were not yet in place. However, with advances in modern technology, the ideal age range for diagnosing and treating orthodontic issues is between ages 7 and 10. At About Smiles, we offer orthodontic treatments for teenagers and adults. We also offer children’s dental care to look after your little one’s teeth.

Why should I choose About Smiles for my orthodontics dental clinic?

With a range of orthodontic treatments to suit your lifestyle and give you the desired results, About Smiles’ orthodontic dental clinics can give you excellent and affordable care tailored to your unique situation. We take a thorough approach to each of our patient’s treatment plans and will help you keep your teeth looking and feeling great.

Our dedicated dentists have a reputation for offering gentle and effective care. We specialise in providing a relaxed environment with options for anyone who finds dental trips scary, nerve-wracking or intimidating. No matter what treatment you need, ensure you receive the best care at our orthodontic dental clinic.

What makes About Smiles the best orthodontics in Sydney?

Because we approach every patient with a complete consultation to understand their dental health and needs, we can offer you complete orthodontic treatment that will be a permanent solution.

With convenient locations for orthodontic treatment in Sydney at Chatswood, Zetland, Crows Nest and Eastgardens, booking your orthodontic treatment couldn’t be easier. If you want an orthodontics dental clinic you can trust, get in touch with our friendly team today and talk to us about setting up an initial consultation.

What if I don’t want braces?

As well as correcting the position of your teeth for a more straight smile, orthodontic care is essential for maintaining your overall dental health. Over time, crooked, overcrowded or misaligned teeth can cause problems with jaw posture and even lead to headaches or serious dental issues. For these reasons, it’s vital to get orthodontic treatment if you need it.

If you need braces but don’t want to have visible orthodontic work, there are modern cosmetic options that can invisibly correct the posture of your teeth without drawing attention to your dental work. At About Smiles, we offer invisible braces solutions such as Invisalign and ClearCorrect, which can subtly correct your smile without interrupting your life.

Invisible braces are created by taking a custom 3D digital scan of your teeth, which is used as a blueprint to form a clear aligner plate that fits your mouth perfectly. These aligner trays are gradually replaced throughout the Invisalign treatment to encourage your teeth into their new configuration. The aligners are clear and are designed to be worn day and night, which makes the treatment seamless and quick.

How long does an Invisalign treatment take?

As a subtle and discreet orthodontic treatment, Invisalign and other invisible braces offer a relatively short time for great results. While everyone’s orthodontic diagnosis and required treatments are different, invisible braces are generally needed for a treatment period of six weeks.

Because the plastic aligner plates that make invisible braces work are removable and don’t involve any painstaking glueing of individual brackets to teeth. Hence, the installation and removal of your braces are easy and simple.

What other services do your dental clinics offer?

All About Smiles’ dental clinics are full-service dentists, meaning we cover the spectrum of dental care. From your child’s first visit to advanced procedures to replace missing teeth and cosmetic procedures, we’re proud to offer complete care for every family member.

We offer general dentistry services, including fillings, wisdom teeth removal, mouth guard fittings, toothache and jaw pain, crowns and bridges, root canals, gum disease and general oral hygiene. We also offer emergency dental treatment, advanced dental procedures like dental implants and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening and veneers to improve your smile.

CHATSWOOD

(02) 9415 3555

Zetland

(02) 9313 6388

Westfield Eastgardens

(02) 8488 9994

Crows Nest

(02) 8622 3900

Circular Quay

(02) 8319 2323

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Where to find us

With 5 convenient locations, you'll be sure to find an About Smiles Dental Centre near you!

Chatswood

Phone: 02 9415 3555
Address: 2/63A Archer Street, Chatswood NSW 2067
Email:
chatswood@aboutsmiles.com.au

Eastgardens

Phone: 02 8488 9994
Address: 229/152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens NSW 2036
Email:
eastgardens@aboutsmiles.com.au

Zetland

Phone: 02 9313 6388
Address: 4/6 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017
Email:
zetland@aboutsmiles.com.au

Crows Nest

Phone: (02) 8622 3900
Address: Suite 103, Level 1, 22 Clarke Street Crows Nest NSW, 2065
Email:
crowsnest@aboutsmiles.com.au

Circular Quay Dental Cosmetics

Phone: (02) 8319 2323
Address: Ground Floor, Shop LCC125
17 Young St Circular Quay 2000
Email:
quay@aboutsmiles.com.au