Getting Braces
Orthodontist Caulfield
Starting Your Braces Treatment
Start your journey to straighter teeth today
1.
Consultation
Visit our Specialist Orthodontist in Caulfield for an assessment and to learn about the different braces or appliances that could help you
2.
Fitting
We'll fit your braces or appliance in place and give you advice about how to care for your braces and your teeth
3.
Adjustment
We'll need to see you every 4–8 weeks to make adjustments, check your progress and answer any questions you have
4.
Retention
After we remove your braces or appliance, you'll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth straight.
Are braces suitable for me?
Most orthodontic problems can be corrected with braces, whether you want to straighten crooked teeth, improve your bite or close gaps.
Braces are suitable for teenagers and adults, though some younger children can also benefit from orthodontic appliances to correct problems early, which can sometimes reduce the need for braces later.
Overbite
The upper teeth overlap the lower teeth
Underbite
The lower teeth protrude past the front teeth
Crossbite
The upper and lower jaws are both misaligned
Open bite
Some upper teeth and lower teeth don't meet
Crowded teeth
There's not enough space for teeth to grow
Gaps in teeth
Caused by a wide jaw, small teeth or missing teeth
To find out how we can help, call us on 03 9524 8900 or contact us to make an appointment with our orthodontists in Caulfield so we can give you or your child a complete assessment.
You can also request a quote telling us what kind of problem you want to treat.
How do braces work?
Braces apply constant, gentle forces to move your teeth out of their old position and into their new and improved one. If you choose braces at our Caulfield clinic, our experienced Specialist Orthodontist will custom fit your braces and adjust them at regular intervals to guide your teeth along their journey.
Brackets
The main part of braces, bonded to teeth using special adhesive. They can be made from metal, ceramic or other materials.
Archwires
The metal wires that connect the brackets and put pressure on the teeth. They can be coloured white for ceramic braces.
Modules or Ligatures
The bands or ties that connect the wires to the brackets. Changed at every appointment and available in many colours.
At Hello Ortho, we offer different types of braces to suit different needs and preferences, from traditional metal braces to invisible braces. We can recommend the best choice for you or your child during your consultation.
4 steps to your new smile
Your first appointment
We’ll make you and your family feel welcome when you visit our orthodontic clinic. After we’ve collected some information about you or your child and found out what your goals are for your smile, we’ll give you a comprehensive orthodontic assessment.
When we understand what your orthodontic issues are, we can discuss the types of braces that could help you achieve your goals, along with alternatives such as Invisalign®. We’ll make sure you have all the information about treatment costs and timelines and anything else you need to know to make fully informed decisions.
During your appointment, we need to take images of your teeth and jaws to help us complete your orthodontic assessment and create your personal treatment plan. These may include:
X-rays
Orthodontic x-rays are more detailed than dental x-rays and use the lowest reasonable dose of radiation.
OPG
An orthopantomogram (OPG) is a wide view x-ray that lets us see all of your teeth in a single image
Lat Ceph
A lateral cephalogram (lat ceph) x-ray helps our orthodontists to see the skeletal relationship between your top and bottom jaws
Fitting your
braces
When we’ve got all the information we need, we’ll arrange a follow-up appointment to fit your braces or orthodontic appliance. This can take 1–2 hours, depending on your treatment needs. We’ll make sure your braces feel as comfortable as possible and give you advice about how to look after your braces and your teeth.
After your braces are fitted, you might feel some soreness or tenderness. This is normal and usually lasts for around 3–5 days. You can reduce pain and discomfort during this time by taking pain relief medication and only eating soft foods like pasta, fish and soups, avoiding hard and crunchy foods that could damage your braces.
Adjustment appointments
Throughout your treatment, you’ll need to have regular appointments with our orthodontists so we can check that your progress is on track and tighten your braces or make other adjustments. These appointments are usually 4–8 weeks apart and take 15–30 minutes, depending on your needs.
This is also your chance to ask us anything that’s on your mind and to get advice about common braces problems. These appointments are included in your overall treatment cost. We reserve before and after school appointments for adjustments to help make things more convenient.
Removing
and
retaining
When your orthodontic treatment is complete, we’ll gently remove your braces or appliance so you can see your new smile. The time it takes to complete your treatment depends on how much movement needs to be done and what type of braces or appliance you choose.
But that’s not the end of your orthodontic journey. To make sure your new smile lasts, you need to wear a retainer afterwards. We can provide your retainer the same day we take off your braces.
Ready to get started?
If you’re ready to take the first step towards your new smile, or you still have some questions about braces and the other treatments we offer at Hello Ortho, we’d love to hear from you.
Call us on 03 9524 8900 to book a consultation with our orthodontists in Caulfield or request a quote.