Orthodontics
Achieve a straighter smile with personalised orthodontic treatments to align your teeth comfortably and effectively.
Orthodontics
Achieve a straighter smile with personalised orthodontic treatments to align your teeth comfortably and effectively.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a specialised field of dentistry focused on correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws. It addresses issues such as crooked teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crowding.
Orthodontic treatments, including braces, clear aligners, and plates, gradually move teeth into their ideal positions, improving both the function and appearance of your smile.
These treatments not only enhance aesthetics but also promote better oral health by making it easier to clean teeth and reduce the risk of issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Orthodontics is suitable for patients of all ages looking to achieve a healthier, more aligned smile.
Our orthodontics process
Orthodontics at our Armadale clinic is divided into two main phases: early intervention and alignment correction.
Phase 1: Early intervention
The first phase, known as early intervention, is designed to guide the development of the jaw and ensure the teeth have the right space to grow. This phase is especially important for children, as it helps prevent future tooth extractions and ensures proper jaw alignment before growth is complete. Early intervention orthodontics can make a significant difference, allowing children to grow into their ideal smiles without more invasive treatments later on.
For early intervention, we offer a range of custom appliances based on the needs of your child:
Schwartz Appliance: this appliance helps widen the jaw and straighten teeth simultaneously.
Upper Sagittal Appliance: this helps lengthen a short upper jaw and creates space for crowded teeth.
Twin Block Appliance: this appliance brings the lower jaw forward and creates proper alignment with the upper jaw.
By addressing jaw development early, we can often reduce the need for future orthodontic interventions, like tooth extractions or complex corrective procedures.
Phase 2: teeth alignment and orthodontic options
Once the jaw has developed fully, the second phase focuses on aligning the teeth for a straighter smile. At 818 Dental, we provide a variety of orthodontic treatments, tailored to your needs:
Clear Aligners: For those seeking a more subtle approach; clear aligners, like Invisalign®, gently move your teeth over time.
Aligners provide an aesthetic solution for patients who want to avoid metal braces. You can remove them for eating, drinking, and cleaning, but it's essential to keep them safe and intact. Aligners work exceptionally well in most cases, helping you achieve a functional bite and a confident smile. Plus, aligner treatments often require fewer in-office visits, making them a convenient choice for busy adults and teenagers.
What to expect?
Your journey to a healthier, straighter smile begins with a consultation at 818 Dental. During your visit, our friendly team will assess your dental health and discuss the best treatment options for you or your child. We’ll create a personalised plan to address your needs, whether you’re considering braces, clear aligners, or early intervention orthodontics.
Once treatment begins, we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure your progress is smooth. Our goal is to provide you with an effective, comfortable orthodontic experience that leaves you smiling confidently.
Are orthodontic treatments right for you?
Orthodontics isn’t just for teenagers - adults can benefit too! Whether you’ve been dealing with alignment issues for years or are just noticing problems, our team at 818 Dental can help determine the best treatment for you. We’ll begin with a comprehensive exam to assess your needs and recommend the most effective treatment plan.
What can orthodontic treatments fix?
Orthodontic treatments can help correct a wide range of dental issues, including:
Crowded or crooked teeth
Gapped teeth
Overbites, underbites and crossbites
Jaw alignment problems
By addressing these issues, you’ll not only improve your smile but also prevent other dental problems like tooth decay or jaw pain in the future.
Care and maintenance
If you’re wearing braces or aligners, proper care is essential. Avoid hard or sticky foods that could damage your orthodontic hardware. Brushing and flossing are even more important when you have braces or aligners, so make sure to clean around them carefully to avoid plaque buildup.
For those using clear aligners, remember to clean your trays regularly to maintain good oral hygiene. And for all types of braces, we recommend regular dental checkups to ensure everything is progressing as it should.
At 818 Dental, we’re here to help you find the best orthodontic solution!
Whether you're considering early intervention for your child or exploring clear aligners for yourself, our experienced team in Armadale will guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
Frequently asked questions
The price of dental braces will vary dependant on a number of factors... such as the length of time you will need to wear them, how many consultations and adjustments you need and other factors tha will be specific to you.
While braces are highly effective, they do usually come with discomfort as your teeth move into new positions. This usually lasts for a few days after first having them applied, and after adjustments, where your teeth and gums will feel tender.
During these days, you can manage pain with over-the-counter pain medications and eat a diet of soft foods - ie. no apples, uncooked carrots, hard biscuits, etc.
Yes! Dental technology has come a long way from the early days of metal braces, and clear aligners are now just as effective as metal braces.
An orthodontist is a specialist who works to ensure your teeth are straight and your jaw is aligned. They will prepare your teeth for orthodontic treatments, carry out treatments such as braces, maintain and adjust appliances as needed, and keep ongoing appointments with you as you transition out of treatment.
A dentist is your general expert on your teeth, gums, and oral health. They will perform your check-ups, complete treatments such as fillings, root canals, and crowns, and help you work on your health.
An orthodontist is a specialist who focuses on teeth straightening and alignment and can apply braces and other orthodontic treatments.
Once your orthodontic treatment is completed and your braces are removed, you will be fitted with a retainer to ensure that your teeth remain in their new alignment.
Be sure to wear your retainers as directed, or you may undo all the previous work. Do not wear your retainer while eating, and be sure to brush it before you insert it into your mouth.
For patients who do not wish to use a removable retainer, a permanent wire retainer can be cemented to the back of the teeth to keep them in place.