For teenagers and adults, Geelong West Dental can help achieve better dental health with straighter teeth with our personalised orthodontics treatment.
From straightening your teeth to addressing dental bite problems, dental braces can provide long-term benefits for you.
Photo on the right is stock image only. Scroll down for photos of cases completed at Geelong West Dental.
Here are some FAQs about Orthodontics
What Are The Benefits Of Braces?
Getting the suitable orthodontics service and treatment can give you the following benefits:
- May help improve your oral hygiene due to better cleansibility
- Reduces risk of gum disease (for instance, due to difficulty cleaning from crowded teeth) and tooth decay
- May address concerns about teeth occlusion (bite), including open bite, deep bite or crossbite
- May allow improved chewing and digestion
Who Are Braces Suitable For?
Metal braces can be suitable for adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17, as their teeth and jawbones are still in developmental stages.
However, that’s not to say there is an age limit to when you can get dental braces. Many adults are also receiving orthodontics treatment with braces to address various dental concerns such as malalignment, bite issues, or to generally improve their oral hygiene.
What Types Of Braces Are Available?
Conventional Braces
Conventional braces consist of metal brackets bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth, with a metal wire threaded through each bracket. The wire is gradually tightened at various points throughout the treatment, putting pressure on your teeth to bring them into the desired position slowly.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces consist of clear brackets bonded to your teeth, making them more discreet and less noticeable. Clear braces is an alternative option to metal braces.
What Is The Procedure For Getting Braces?
Your experienced dentists at Geelong West Dental will begin with an initial consultation and examination. After having your orthodontic records taken, they will discuss the type of braces suitable for you and then schedule a fitting appointment.
Your braces fitting appointment is usually about one hour. During your appointment, we will first clean and dry your teeth, before applying an adhesive to attach the brackets to the front surfaces of your teeth and then thread a metal wire through the brackets.
Once your braces are fitted, we will schedule regular appointments to periodically adjust the dental wires to ensure that the treatment is progressing. When your teeth have finally reached the desired position after the treatment period of between 12-24 months, we will remove the wires and brackets of your braces. After braces removal, retainers are made to ensure your teeth remain in position.
Orthodontic recovery process and aftercare
After the removal of dental braces or aligner attachments, retainers are fabricated. Retainers are custom-made removable orthodontic appliances needed for retention as the teeth are relatively unstable right after completion of orthodontic treatment.
Following completion of orthodontic treatment, retainers may need to be worn as much as possible in the first few months. After this period, the retainer may be worn nightly. Please follow directions from our experienced dentists in terms of wearing retainers.
Once your braces are removed, a thorough professional teeth cleaning may be recommended to remove any calculus (tartar) left on areas of the teeth and gums that may be hard to reach during orthodontic treatment.
Possible Risk and Complications
As with any dental treatment, orthodontic treatment may involve some risks. These include:
Toothache and mild discomfort
During the initial phase of orthodontic treatment, some mild discomfort is to be expected as you get used to the orthodontic appliances and your teeth begin moving. The level of discomfort varies between each patient.
Gum infection
This can be due to poor oral hygiene, resulting in gingivitis and gum infection. This may affect your orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, the infection may cause irreversible damage. A healthy oral hygiene routine is vital to prevent gum infections.
Ulcers
Scratches and ulcers on the inside of your mouth is common with fixed braces. Orthodontic wax can help protect your mouth during this initial phase.
Enamel demineralisation
Enamel demineralisation may occur during orthodontic treatment, particularly with fixed braces. This demineralisation can lead to cavities and tooth decay, which appears as white or yellow stains on the teeth. Avoiding sugary food and drinks and brushing twice daily can help reduce this risk.
Tooth vitality
Some pre-existing conditions on a tooth (including dental trauma and decay) may be aggravated by tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. In some cases, the tooth may become discoloured and require further treatment. This will be assessed by our experienced dentists before the start of your orthodontic treatment.
Different dental professional evaluations should be considered before proceeding with orthodontic treatment.
Case 1: lnvisalign® clear aligners to align teeth, improve crowding and address crossbite. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after finishing.
Case 2: lnvisalign® clear aligners to align teeth, improve crowding and level the arch. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after finishing.
Case 3: Conventional metal braces to align teeth, improve bite and create space to replace congenitally missing lateral tooth. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after finishing.
Case 4: Conventional metal braces to align teeth and improve bite. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after finishing.
Case 5: Conventional metal braces to align teeth, improve crowding and replace misplaced upper canines. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after finishing.
Photography and permission to post given by patients. Photos are indication of results which may vary between individuals. Consultation is required for further assessment. The contents of this post do not substitute professional advice. All dental procedures carry certain risks and need to be discussed with the dentist before undertaking any treatments.
Why Choose Orthodontics At Geelong West Dental?
Geelong West Dental is committed to providing patient-centred care in a welcoming environment with a team of friendly and professional dentists. We focus on addressing your dental concerns and tailoring to your dental needs.
Accessible Payment Options
At Geelong West Dental, we strive to ensure that our orthodontics treatments are as accessible as possible. We offer several payment options for your convenience, such as an interest-free payment plan for two years.
Get In Touch For Orthodontics Services At Geelong West Dental
Contact us today by calling (03) 5200 9137 to book a complimentary orthodontic consultation with our experienced local dentists in Geelong to discuss all your orthodontic needs and enquiries.
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