Orthodontic FAQs
Here are answers to some of the questions we hear most from our patients
Braces are intended to give you the perfect smile, on top of this, there are also other multiple benefits of having orthodontic treatment. During your treatment, your braces will move the teeth into positions that make it easier for you to brush and floss. This will ensure that your teeth have the best chance of staying healthy for the long term and lessens your risk of tooth decay. Braces also correct misaligned bites and jaws. This can help eliminate excess wear of the teeth in the future. With these benefits and having a beautiful smile, orthodontic treatment is life changing.
There are many types of orthodontic treatment available, Dr Trudy is open to discussing multiple different treatment options with you including but not limited to Invisalign, traditional braces, ceramic braces and early intervention treatment for children. Dr Trudy welcomes new ideas so if you have seen a particular orthodontic treatment that interests you, Dr Trudy would be more than happy to look into this for you.
Elastics used during orthodontic treatment are used to enhance the work of the braces to correct teeth misalignments and bite concerns. The orthodontic elastics work by providing gentle and continuous force to the teeth and jaws which helps align them into their ideal positions.
Orthodontic treatment can take anywhere between 6 months – 2 years to complete. Cases that have less tooth movement and are more straightforward take less time to complete whilst cases that are more complex with more tooth movement involved take longer to complete. Dr Trudy will be able to advise you on the length of your specific treatment at your consultation appointment.
Appointment frequency does vary from case to case but on average, you will need to attend a short review appointment with Dr Stewart every 6-12 weeks. This appointment will be to make adjustments on your braces or even issue you with your next sets of Invisalign aligners. Our friendly and helpful reception team are always available to help with any concerns you may have between your appointment times, if they can’t assist you, they will liaise with Dr Trudy and get back to you promptly with an answer.
Braces work by bonding a bracket to each individual tooth in a specific location as planned by Dr Trudy. A wire is then placed in the brackets to allow constant gentle pressure to be applied in the correct spots on each tooth. This promotes movement of the teeth slowly into ideal alignment. During your braces treatment, Dr Trudy may reposition brackets or place different sized wires at your adjustment appointments. This is to ensure that we achieve your desired outcome by moving the teeth to where they need to go.
The answer to this question typically depends on each individual’s experience and tolerance. With this being said, we can say with confidence that having orthodontic treatment doesn’t hurt and in fact may be a little uncomfortable at worst. This discomfort is easily managed with paracetamol and should only last 1-2 days at a time.
At Noranda Orthodontics, we’re committed to making braces affordable and ensuring that our patients love more than just their straight smiles. With interest-free payment options, you can start your journey to straight teeth for as little as $50 per week. The cost of your orthodontic treatment is determined by factors such as the length of treatment, complexity of tooth movement, and the type of appliance used. For children under 10 years, orthodontic treatment ranges from $790 to $2400, addressing issues like broadening the smile, finger sucking prevention, and alignment of the jaws. Minor orthodontics for adults with minor crowding or front tooth adjustments range from $3800 to $5460. Comprehensive orthodontics, which includes correcting bite alignment and more complex dental issues, ranges from $8100 to $9600. Private health insurance may offer rebates, and we can assist in guiding you through the process.
We strongly recommend that you still see your general dentist for your regular check up appointments during your orthodontic treatment. Your general dentist will make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy and remove any plaque that may be present. It is more difficult to clean your teeth whilst undergoing orthodontic treatment and a lot easier for food to get trapped which can lead to excessive plaque and calculus build up on the teeth. Your dentist can also make sure that there aren’t any signs of decay or decalcification during your treatment.
During your specialist orthodontic consult at Noranda Orthodontics in Perth, you can expect a comprehensive evaluation and informative discussion. The process begins with taking photos and x-rays of your teeth, allowing you to express your desired changes. Dr. Trudy will assess your oral health and facial profile to determine the most suitable treatment plan. You will receive a thorough explanation of the expected outcomes for each treatment option, including braces and Invisalign aligners. Additionally, you’ll receive detailed information on timing, costs, and flexible payment plans. The consultation fee is $425 for adults and $375 for children.
At Noranda Orthodontics, the focus is not just on straightening teeth but also on enhancing your overall facial appearance. Dr. Trudy analyses your side profile, jaw position, smile shape, lip shape and fullness, and vertical and horizontal facial dimensions. The clinic offers Micro Mini braces in brushed Rhodium or ceramic finishes, providing aesthetics along with precise tooth movement and a discreet profile. The option to extract teeth or not is carefully considered based on facial balance, lip posture, teeth relationship, crowding severity, and periodontal health. Noranda Orthodontics takes a conservative approach, thoroughly assessing and explaining all treatment options. Colored braces are available for children, adding a fun and personalized touch to their braces journey. Custom braces solutions can be explored if you have a particular system in mind. It’s worth noting that 55% of Australian adults feel self-conscious about their teeth, and Noranda Orthodontics offers discreet options like Micro Mini braces and Invisalign aligners to address these concerns. With a focus on aesthetics and achieving the best functional and aesthetic outcome, Noranda Orthodontics is dedicated to helping patients achieve their desired smiles.
We want your orthodontic treatment journey to have the least impact on your lifestyle as possible, we encourage you to still play the sports you love while undergoing your orthodontic treatment. We ask that you wear an orthodontic mouthguard when playing sports to protect your teeth just as you normally would without braces.
Sticky, chewy and very hard foods are known to break braces brackets and wires. In order to achieve the best end result for you in the planned treatment time frame, we ask that you avoid these particular types of food whilst wearing your braces. If your brackets or wires break, this can prolong your planned treatment time.
Dr Trudy will inform you as to how often you need to change your aligners, commonly, this is every 1-2 weeks.
Taking your braces off at the end of treatment is simple and quick. We use an instrument designed for removing brackets and gently squeeze each one, causing the brackets to come away from each tooth. This process is completely painless, the only thing you may hear is a slight sound which is just the bracket coming away from the tooth. Finally we will softly polish any remaining adhesive left from the brackets to ensure that your new smile feels smooth.
