Braces

Braces are usually comprised of three main parts including:

Brackets – These are small, square shaped pieces which are bonded to the front surface of your teeth using a special glue to hold them in place. Brackets come in a variety of materials including ceramic, plastic and stainless steel.

Arch wire – This is a thin metal wire that attaches to your braces and acts like a handle to help put pressure on your teeth and guide them into place.

Ligatures – These are small elastic rubber bands that are designed to hold the archwires to your brackets. They come in a range of different colours and are changed at each appointment.

These three components work together by placing a constant pressure on your teeth which helps to move your teeth into their correct alignment.To ensure that the teeth keep moving into alignment, your braces may be adjusted every four – six weeks at your appointment.

This varies from person to person and depends on a number of contributing factors such as the severity of the problem, the distance the teeth need to travel, your oral health and the amount of room available for the teeth to shift into alignment. However, on average, most people will need to wear braces between one and three years. Those who are eligible for partial braces may have their treatment completed in as little as four to six months. After the treatment is complete, most people will then need to wear a custom fit retainer every day for the first six months and then only when sleeping thereafter.

To ensure that your teeth keep moving into alignment, it is important to be seen by your orthodontist regularly for a review and an adjustment. At your appointment, we will make any necessary adjustments to the wires and ligatures in order to place further tension and pressure on the teeth.

There are a few tell-tale signs to look out for which might mean that you need braces. These include: There are a few tell-tale signs to look out for which might mean that you need braces. These include:

Crooked or crowded teeth– This is the most common issue addressed by braces. Most people associate even, straight teeth with beauty so if you have crooked or crowded teeth, you may find that you have low self-esteem or lack the confidence to smile.  Most people can tell if their teeth are crooked just by looking in the mirror. Crowded teeth can also make it harder to keep them clean, resulting in gum disease and tooth decay.

Teeth that are too far apart – Even though your teeth may not be crowded; you may find that missing teeth, small teeth or large gaps between your teeth impair the movement and function of your bite and jaw. This kind of spacing is another common issue that can be treated with braces.

Bite issues – When you bite down, your top and bottom teeth should fit nicely together.  If you find that your upper teeth extend significantly past your lower teeth when you close your mouth, this is called and overbite. Contrastingly, if your lower teeth protrude much further past your top teeth, then this is called an under bite.

In other cases, you may find that when you bite down, your lower front teeth and upper front teeth do not touch – also known as an over jet or overbite – while upper teeth that are not positioned correctly inside the lower teeth is called a cross bite.

Other signs and symptoms – some other signs and symptoms to look out for include whether or not you get food constantly stuck in between your teeth, frequent bad breath, any speaking difficulties which may be a result of your bite and/or if you get any reoccurring jaw pain.

While this is certainly a good starting point, the best way to determine if you really do need braces is to have your teeth and gums examined by an orthodontist.

If you’re tired of having low-self-esteem and want to smile with confidence, then please give us a call on 08 9440 4455 or request an appointment with our qualified and experienced orthodontist today.

Braces can be applied to people of any age as the process conducted to move the teeth does not change. The main difference between orthodontic treatment in children and adults is that teeth move a lot easier when you are younger, so it may take longer and require more than braces to complete the orthodontic treatment. While it may take more time for an adult to achieve their desired result, the outcome is nevertheless just as successful.

Ensuring that the teeth and gums are healthy is essential at any age to ensure that the mouth is optimum condition to undergo orthodontic treatment.

Thanks to modern day advancements in dental technology, there are also Invisalign aligners and Rapid Smiles orthodontics available for adults who wish to enjoy the benefits of braces without compromising their confidence or busy lifestyles.

As with any orthodontic treatment, it is completely normal to feel tenderness as the teeth move. If you are experiencing any soreness or discomfort after your adjustments, then over-the-counter relievers such as Panadol or Nurofen will help to ease the pain.

Ceramic braces are similar in size and shape to traditional metal braces, except that they feature tooth-coloured or clear brackets and ligatures which are designed to blend in with your teeth. Ceramic Braces are a popular choice among those wanting to enjoy the benefits of braces without compromising their confidence or busy lifestyles.

Unlike traditional metal braces, ceramic braces feature tooth-coloured or clear brackets and ligatures which are designed to blend in with your other teeth. When properly cared for ceramic braces are strong, durable and resistant to chips and breaks.

While ceramic braces are a great option for those wishing to enjoy the benefits of braces in a discreet or less obvious manner, they may not be suitable for everyone and are more expensive than traditional metal braces.

Ceramic brackets are more expensive than traditional metal brackets and although they are fairly resistant, they are not always suitable for some of the extensive orthodontic treatments that people need.

When people think of braces, the image of the metal brackets and wires is what most often springs to mind. This can sometimes cause unnecessary worry and anxiety, particularly among teenagers about how they might look once their braces are on. Thanks to modern day advancements in dental technology, there are now a variety of discreet options available so you can enjoy the benefits of braces without compromising your confidence or busy lifestyle.

If you’re ready to makeover your smile, then simply give us a call on 08 9440 4455 or request an appointment with Dr Suzanna Lim to discuss your orthodontic treatment options today.

The cost of braces does vary from person to person depending on the treatment required. To find out more about the payment options and rebates associated with your braces treatment, simply give us a call on 08 9440 4455 or request an appointment with one of our friendly dental professionals today.