Whether you have a child with crooked teeth or you’ve always wanted to correct your own misaligned smile, Sydney Road Dental Care is your first stop for orthodontics in Sydney. The team of dentists at Sydney Road Dental Care carry out both in-house orthodontic procedures and provide referrals to outside providers for orthodontics in the Northern Beaches, too. So here at Sydney Road Dental Care, we can be your go-to clinic for all your dental needs, whether you’re a new patient or have been seeing us for years already.

What is orthodontics

Orthodontics is a specialty within dentistry that deals with assessing, diagnosing, preventing and treating misaligned teeth, bite and jaws. During orthodontic treatment, different processes are considered, including modifying facial growth patterns, the misalignment of the teeth and the functional differences in patients.

 

What are traditional braces?

Traditional braces have come a long way since there first use where every tooth was individually wrapped with a metal brace.  Modern orthodontics is a much more slimline process where brackets wires and elastics can even be ceramic to match the color of the teeth more closely making them much less visible.

 

What’s Involved?

Planning for any orthodontic treatment is a simple, streamlined process where we work clinically with our patients to plan out processes of the orthodontic treatment.

 

Consultation: During your initial consultation a clinician will be able to walk you through the entire process of braces along with all the inclusions of treatment. During this time photographic and x-ray records may be taken along with information regarding your possible treatment.

Banding appointment: In your first appointment when the braces are applied each bracket is individually placed on the surface of the tooth. This is then followed by placement of wires and modules which will apply pressure to the teeth and start the movement process. Teeth are often the most sore after the first appointment as they will not have had any experience of movement prior and we often re cement taking paracetamol or ibuprofen  prior to the first appointment and for subsequent day to prevent any discomfort you may experience but this not universal to all braces patients.

 

Adjustment appointments: Each appointment the braces will be adjusted and tightened. These appointments are at a given interval ranging from 6-8 weeks while spacing reduces towards the end of he treatment time. During these appointments wires, modules and adjustments are made to move and progress the treatment forward progressively changing the wires to straighten and correct the teeth further.

 

Deband: After your treatment is completed you enter what is commonly referred to as deband and Retention. This phase of treatment is when all the braces and cement are removed from the surface of the teeth while you are also issued with a combination of fixed retainers and removable plastic night time retainers all included within your treatment to maintain your straight new smile.

 

How long will my treatment take?

Treatment lengths, like costing, are dependent on the complexity of the case along with what is being corrected. Each case is assessed, planned, and prepared individually according to the needs of each patient. Once treatment planning has been processed and established average treatment times can range from 12-24 months but there is a natural variation in the process which can cause treatments time to move closer to the 24 month mark.

 

What can braces correct?

While not just providing a traditional and tested way to straighten your teeth braces can correct several different issues such as:

• Crowded teeth: where teeth are overlapped
• Crooked teeth: when teeth are angled or misaligned
• Spacing: either naturally or artificially create spaces between the teeth
• Underbites: often characterized by the lower teeth often in front of the upper teeth
• Overbites: where the upper teeth protrude outwards
• Cross bite: often presents when the lower teeth sit outside of the upper teeth

If I need braces in Sydney, should I see an orthodontist?

It varies from case to case. As part of an overall dental care plan, our knowledgeable dentists will assess your bite and jaw and the position of your teeth. This will determine whether improvements can be made to your smile’s function and appearance. If you have cosmetic concerns about your teeth or issues from overcrowding and crooked teeth that are causing you pain or discomfort, you may be an ideal candidate for orthodontic work. In that case, we will refer you to one of the trusted Sydney orthodontics professionals that we work with.

How do I know if orthodontic work is right for me?

While you might associate braces with your adolescent years, orthodontic work can be used to correct a smile at any age. The staff at our Northern Beaches dental practice are the experts at finding the right solution for any smile at any age. Whether it’s through an external referral to a Northern Beaches or Manly orthodontics professional for braces to correct overcrowding or a subtle readjustment of a crooked grin using the Invisalign system, we’ll consult with you to find the best treatment for your smile.

Deciding between braces and Invisalign

Braces and Invisalign are effective ways to correct and straighten teeth for a better aesthetic outcome, resulting in a more attractive and even smile. In general, braces are a good option for younger people and are worn for one to two years to fix any spacing or alignment issues. Modern braces are far less intrusive and visible than they once were. And because they’re fitted to the teeth for your entire treatment, there’s no risk of ‘forgetting’ to wear them, meaning the treatment won’t be delayed.

On the other hand, Invisalign is an excellent choice for adults, particularly those who work in professional settings. The system works by taking a 3D scan of your mouth and creating individualised custom-made removable aligners from that scan. The aligners are clear plastic and are anchored to your teeth with tiny, barely visible tooth-coloured SmartForce blocks. Like braces, these blocks are attached to your teeth to allow for complex movement correction but with none of the permanently visible parts of braces. Over time, your Sydney orthodontist will prepare subtly different personalised aligners to wear, which gently correct issues as you progress through your treatment.

How much will braces cost at Sydney Road Dental Care?

The costs associated with braces and other corrective treatments will vary from patient to patient. However, whether you opt for Invisalign or braces, our team will work with you to identify the best treatment for you — all while considering cost and your desired outcome. We have several patient-friendly payment options available to help you budget for your orthodontic work. Importantly, we only work with providers of orthodontics in Manly, the Northern Beaches and across Sydney that are renowned for their knowledge and skills.

 

We only work with the best orthodontists in Sydney

At Sydney Road Dental Care, we’re passionate about providing excellent dental services to our patients. Our friendly dentists can take care of veneers, teeth whitening, total smile makeovers and more. And if you need more extensive orthodontic work, our staff will refer you to the best orthodontists in Sydney — experts you can trust with your journey to a beautiful and healthy smile.

If you’re ready to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of, talk to us today!