FAQs

Teeth, and sometimes entire facial structures, are permanently changed by orthodontic treatment. It is important that the treatment be appropriate and properly completed. Orthodontic specialists have extensive and specialized training that enables them to provide their patients with professional, personalized treatments.

No, it is not. Many of our patients are referred by their family dentist, yet many other patients take the initiative to schedule an examination themselves. What is important to remember is that whatever route you come to us for a consultation, we will work very closely with your dentist in providing you with a high level or service.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic screening at age 7. By this age, several permanent teeth in most children have erupted, allowing us to effectively evaluate your orthodontic condition.

No, they will not. The space available for the front teeth does not increase as you grow. In most people, after the permanent molars erupt, the space available for the front teeth decreases with age.

If you or your child can potentially benefit from orthodontic treatment, simply call our office, send us an e-mail or fill out our appointment request form online. We will be happy to schedule an appointment for you. When you call to schedule your appointment, our front office staff will request some basic information from you.

Upon arriving, each patient and parent will be seen by the staff and orthodontist, who will acclimate you to our office and prepare for the initial exam. We may request photographs and X-rays to allow us to make a proper diagnosis. The orthodontist will then complete a thorough exam. To read more about your first visit, see our First Visit Page.

There are five essential questions that we will cover during the initial examination:

• Is there an orthodontic problem, and if so, what is it?
• What must be done to correct the problem?
• Will any teeth need to be removed?
• How long will the treatment take to complete?
• How much will the treatment cost?

Removing teeth is sometimes required to achieve the best orthodontic result. Straight teeth and a balanced facial profile are the goal of orthodontics. However, because new technology has provided advanced orthodontic procedures, removing teeth is not always necessary for orthodontic treatment.

Treatment time obviously depends on each patient’s specific orthodontic problem. In general, treatment time lasts from 8 months to 30 months. The “average” time frame a person is in braces is approximately 18-24 months.

It is impossible to give an exact cost for treatment until we have examined you. We will cover the cost and financial options during the initial examination. We have several financing options available to accommodate your needs, and we will review these with you.

Appointments are scheduled according to each patient’s needs. Most patients in braces will be seen every 4 to 12 weeks. If there are specific situations that require more frequent monitoring, we will schedule appointments accordingly.

Unfortunately, we cannot schedule all appointments for students during before or after-school hours. However, because most appointments are scheduled 4 to 12 weeks apart, most patients will miss minimal school due to their orthodontic treatments. We will, however, make a sincere effort to meet your scheduling needs.
Can my child attend by themselves? Can I drop my child off for an appointment?
Yes. We understand your busy schedule, and we are happy to help you make the most of your time. For routine adjustment appointments, the child can come by themselves. On some occasions, we may request to speak with a parent, so we ask that parents check in with us before dropping off their child or we will call the parent after the appointment.

Generally, braces do not “hurt.” After certain visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, your usual pain medications taken for headaches will ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, “It does not have to hurt to work!”

Yes. There is no reason to miss school because of orthodontic treatment.

No. Injections are not necessary in orthodontic treatment.

Absolutely not.

Yes. We recommend a mouth guard for all sports.

Do I need to see my family dentist while in braces?

Yes. Once treatment begins, we will explain the complete instructions and provide a comprehensive list of foods to avoid. Some of those foods include: ice, hard sweets, raw vegetables and all sticky foods (i.e. caramel). You can avoid most emergency appointments to repair broken or damaged braces by carefully following our instructions.

Patients should brush their teeth at least four times each day – after each meal and before going to bed. We will show each patient how to floss their teeth with brace

If your braces are causing extreme pain or if something breaks, you should call our office. In most cases, we can address these issues over the telephone. If you require an emergency appointment, we will set aside time for you.

Yes. Some orthodontic problems are significant enough to require early intervention. However, if a patient is not yet ready for treatment, we will follow that patient’s growth and development until the time is right for treatment to begin.

Phase One treatment, if necessary, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Phase One treatment usually lasts about 9-18 months. The primary objective for Phase One treatment is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

It is best to assume that your child will need full braces even after Phase One treatment. The period following Phase One treatment is called the “resting period,” during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

At the completion of the initial examination, we will determine whether a patient will need an expander.

In our Collins Street practice, the majority of our patients are adults due to the location in Melbourne CBD. In our regional practices, a surprising percentage of our patients are adults. In fact, over 30-40 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is “too old” to wear braces!

Yes. A tooth with a crown will move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.