North Sydney Orthodontics

1. What is orthodontics?
2. My dentist can do orthodontics - so why see a specialist?
3. What do I need to bring for my first appointment?
4. What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?
5. What are some signs that braces may be needed?
6. When is the earliest I can get my teeth straight?
7. How old is too old?
8. What is Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment?
9. How does orthodontic treatment work?
10. How long does orthodontic treatment take?
11. Do braces hurt?
12. Do I need to have teeth taken out ?
13. What about braces and sports?
14. Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
15. Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?
16. Will my teeth stay straight after the braces come off?
17. Wisdom teeth (third molars) make straight teeth go crooked -  true or false? 
18. What do braces cost - do I get a free consultation

 What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the use of braces or other devices to correct crooked teeth.  It may involve changing the position of the teeth or modifying the way the jaws grow (dento-facial orthopaedics). BACK TO TOP

My dentist says he can do orthodontics - so why see a specialist?

There is nothing to stop a dentist carrying out any treatment which they feel they are capable of, but only a qualified orthodontist, has taken the additional years of full-time study at a university, treating cases under experienced supervision to pass examinations and have their expertise recognised by their peers and the government.  A specialist orthodontist does not normally carry out other dental treatment like fillings or extractions, so all their time is spent thinking and practicing orthodontics - practice makes perfect! BACK TO TOP

What do I need to bring for my first appointment?

Nothing - North Sydney Orthodontics is completely equipped to obtain all the information to diagnose and plan your orthodontic treatment.  However if you have had x-rays that look like this   in the previous year please obtain a copy and bring it to your appointment. You can help us considerably by downloading and completing our practice questionnaire here. Please complete the questionnaire and fax it back to 02 99545122, email it or just bring it. BACK TO TOP

What are some possible benefits of orthodontics?

• A more attractive smile

• Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years

• Better function of the teeth

• Possible increase in self-confidence

• Improved 'cleanability’ Increased ability to clean the teeth

• Improved force distribution and wear patterns of the teeth

• Better long term health of teeth and gums

• Guide permanent teeth into more favourable positions

• Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth

• Aid in optimizing other dental treatment

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What are some signs that braces may be needed?

• Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth

• Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)

• Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)

• The upper and lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)

• Crowded or overlapped teeth

• The centre of the upper and lower teeth do not line up

• Finger or thumb sucking habits which continue after six or seven years old

• Difficulty chewing

• Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively

• The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together

• Spaces between the teeth
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When is the earliest I can get my teeth straight ?

Certain orthodontic problems can start quite early in life and The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a screening examination by the age of seven.  Some jaw growth problems are easier to treat at this age. Early treatment may mean that a patient could avoid surgery and more serious complications later especially where the upper jaw is small.  Such early treatment represents about 5% of our workload.  For most other patients, once the second permanent molars have erupted around the age of 12, it is possible to do a definitive alignment of the teeth, which usually takes around 18-24 months of treatment, and this has been shown to be the most efficient age to carry out treatment for the majority of patients. BACK TO TOP

 How old is too old ?

Orthodontic treatment is possible at any age, so if you are already fully grown don’t despair, because adults make great patients too.  The oldest patient Dr Daniels has treated so far was 69 years when the braces went on!  Adult treatment can have certain challenges not usually present in children.BACK TO TOP

What is Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment?

Phase 1, or early interceptive treatment, is limited orthodontic treatment (i.e. expander or partial braces) before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of seven and ten. This treatment is sometimes recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, or harmful oral habits.

Phase 2 treatment is also called definitive treatment, because it involves full braces when all of the permanent teeth have erupted, and should establish the adult smile BACK TO TOP

How does orthodontic treatment work?

Tooth movement is a natural event in healthy teeth, and tooth movement can occur throughout life.  Teeth arrive in their natural positions by forces from the tooth roots, the jaw- bones, muscles of the lips, tongue and cheeks, and biting forces.  Occasionally prolonged ‘external’ forces such as finger sucking can change the natural position of the teeth.  A healthy tooth stops moving when all the forces on it are balanced. Orthodontics works by directing a force to the teeth either through the springiness of an arch- wire, elastics or the pressure arising from the fit of removable appliances such as invisalign.  The teeth move in the direction that the force is directed. When the braces come off, natural muscular forces once again are the predominant force acting on the teeth – and that is why the retainers are so important. BACK TO TOP

How long does orthodontic treatment take?

Treatment time (excluding retainers) is usually from 12 to 30 months. Actual treatment time can be affected by your age and the severity of the problem. Treatment length is also influenced by patient cooperation. Looking after your braces and keeping regular appointments are important to keep treatment on schedule.  2phase and early intervention treatments usually result in longer overall treatment times.  BACK TO TOP

Do braces hurt?

It is normal to experience some slight discomfort after placing orthodontic appliances and whenever they are activated (at your adjustment appointments).  Any discomfort is usually mild and is controllable with non- prescription pain killing tablets. The lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth. BACK TO TOP

Do I need to have teeth taken out ?

It depends:  We always prefer to treat without extractions if possible, but, extraction therapy is a necessary part of some orthodontic plans because some people's teeth are simply too big for the size of their jaws. Unfortunately misleading TV and newspaper articles sometimes confuse the public by claiming orthodontic extractions ruin facial profiles and damage the jaw joints, despite the fact that there is plenty of good research to the contrary. We carefully analyze each and every patient and discuss their concerns to produce individually tailored plans to produce the right result every time.BACK TO TOP

What about braces and sports?

We don’t expect you to run or swim any faster with your braces on but don’t let that stop you trying! Its OK to continue sports but please wear a proper mouth-guard.  Removable braces should be removed for contact sports and swimming, and kept safe in an appropriate protective box.  BACK TO TOP

Will braces interfere with playing musical instruments?

No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers can be provided to prevent discomfort.We have successfully treated trumpeters, flaughtists, and clarinetists!BACK TO TOP

Should I see my general dentist while I have braces?

Yes, you should continue to see your general dentist every six months for cleaning and dental checkups.   BACK TO TOP

Will my teeth stay straight after the braces come off?

The orthodontist plans the tooth movements to be as stable as possible, however the nature of tooth stability is incompletely understood.  Teeth can drift out of position again, due to 'elastic recoil' of the gums, continuing facial growth or unbalanced natural forces from the facial muscles. Retainers are used to keep your smile as fantastic as the day your braces come off Click hereto learn more about retainers. BACK TO TOP

Wisdom teeth (third molars) make straight teeth go crooked -  true or false? 

Many people have observed that at the end of the teenage the lower front teeth go a little crooked even if the orthodontic treatment had obtained a good alignment, and sometimes even when a 'straight set of front teeth had grown naturally and no orthodontics was carried out.  This happens at about the same time that third molar teeth typically grow in the mouth - so the two events became associated.  Some orthodontists started to recommend taking out wisdom teeth to prevent further movement of the lower incisors.  However  careful experimentation and long term follow up has proved this is incorrect - because if the wisdom teeth are surgically removed around age 12, or if they are missing from birth , there is still a measurable shift in the incisor positions in the late teenage.  In fact very long term studies show that our teeth move throughout life.  The only proven way to guarantee the lower incisors will remain straight is to continue some form of retention. BACK TO TOP

What do braces cost- do I get a free consultation? 

Despite many requests for a 'quote over the phone' it is not possible to estimate the true cost of treatment without seeing the patient first. We offer a short clinical evaluation which is a 'business like' meeting where we will assess your problem and give you an accurate outline of treatment options and costs.  The evaluation appointment costs $80 (and is eligible for claiming from your health fund depending on your limits). Most patients are in a position to start treatment on the next appointment. Its a low cost opportunity to come in and see whether you like the feel of the place, whether you want to make your orthodontic partnership with Dr Daniels and North Sydney Orthodontics. BACK TO TOP

© North Sydney Orthodontics 2009