Braces in Wooloowin, QLD

In addition to the comprehensive general dentistry services provided at North Brisbane Dental Clinic, Dr Georgia Sheahan and Dr Priyesh Shah offer fixed (braces) orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages.

A straight smile may mean a healthier smile. When properly aligned, teeth are easier to keep clean, making them less likely to have problems with decay, infection or tooth stains. In addition, quality orthodontic care can mean less wear and damage from a misaligned bite and improved comfort. Properly aligned teeth may also improve jaw function for patients who experience TMJ dysfunction. Not to mention, a straight smile may add confidence to all you do.

Early Childhood Orthodontics in North Brisbane

As part of each child's paediatric dentistry in Wooloowin, an early childhood orthodontic evaluation allows us to determine if your child's bone, teeth, and jaw are developing normally. In most cases, it is not necessary to intervene and start treatment until permanent teeth are present. This is usually around age 11-13 for girls and 12-15 for boys.

There are some specific issues, however, that do benefit from early intervention. These would include crossbite or asymmetry, among others. Your dentist will assess your child's teeth and jaws at each checkup to determine if any orthodontic treatment is required.

Braces for Teens and Adults

For children, teens, and adults, traditional braces offer a reliable solution for orthodontic conditions, including:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Openbite
• Crooked teeth
• Twisted teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Unusual spacing
• Jaw issues
• Protruding teeth

Your dentist bonds brackets directly to the teeth and controls movement with a thin, pliable wire. With regular adjustments to the shape of the wire, teeth will gradually move into their ideal location. Treatment could take anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on your particular case. Modern braces are available in silver and tooth-coloured alternatives.

The porcelain (teeth-coloured) braces are less noticeable than their metal cousins, but both modes of treatment straighten teeth with minimal fuss. Braces are less intrusive and more comfortable than they used to be. However, mild discomfort is to be expected when teeth are being moved. Thankfully, any pain you experience as your teeth begin to move generally eases off quite quickly. 

If you opt for braces, you must avoid biting into foods that can damage brackets and wires – sticky and chewy foods in particular.

We have had many dismayed looks from kids who are told they can't have pork crackling or redskins for a while. If we're feeling a bit cheeky, we sometimes encourage these kids to binge on their favourite sweets just before braces go on, so hopefully, they've had enough to last them a while. It's the only time you'll ever hear a north Brisbane dentist telling you to eat sweets, so our advice is: take advantage of it while it lasts! Rest assured, there are still plenty of treats you can indulge in while braces are on, just not the chewy, sticky kind. We recommend going for ice cream instead.

Treatment times for braces vary from person to person. Once we've had a chance to examine your teeth, we will give an approximation of what we predict the treatment time to be. However, there is always some variation between cases. Some people's teeth float into place quickly, and others are a bit more stubborn. The good news is even if treatment takes longer than expected, there is no extra charge for the extra time. The quote you receive at the initial consultation is fixed in stone.

I Want to Get Braces. What Should I Do?

A consultation with Dr Georgia or Dr Priyesh, dentists for crooked teeth, will allow you to discuss all options available, along with treatment times and costs. Orthodontic consultations are complimentary and usually take around 20 to 30 minutes. We are happy, if not eager, for you to bring a list of questions so you don't forget to ask anything. 

If you decide to proceed with treatment, you will be given an information pack explaining the orthodontic process and what will happen throughout treatment. Then, the only thing left to do is book an appointment to put your braces on.

The Process for Getting Braces in Wooloowin, QLD

Once you've decided to go ahead with braces, you're ready to book in and get started. The initial "band-up" appointment takes approximately one hour. We will take a complete set of clinical photos and a 3-D scan so we have a rendering of exactly where the teeth and jaws start.

Your teeth are cleaned, and braces are glued on. This process is not painful, but sometimes people get bored sitting there for so long. We take time cementing each tooth's brackets to promote a predictable result. And this is a great time to choose colours for your elastics!

We have over two dozen colours to choose from (including clear if you're not feeling adventurous). The elastics are changed every six weeks, so you're not committed indefinitely to your initial colour choice.

Once the braces are on, everyone is given a pack with special brushes and instructions on keeping the braces clean. As Dr Georgia and Dr Priyesh are always saying, when it comes to teeth brushing, if you're cleaning your braces correctly, it takes twice as long as it does without braces.

Our lovely hygienists, Samantha, Brooke and Lisa, give everyone a lesson on how to use the brushes, as well as orthodontic wax, for increased comfort.

After this orthodontic appointment, we must see you approximately every six weeks for review and adjustments. These review appointments typically last for 10 to 20 minutes.

Once your teeth are perfectly straight and the bite is stable, we remove the braces.

Protecting Your Smile with an Orthodontic Retainer

Whether you opt for traditional orthodontics or Invisalign in Wooloowin, Dr Georgia or Dr Priyesh will recommend using an orthodontic retainer to keep your teeth from drifting back to their original location. This condition, known as orthodontic relapse, is easy to avoid by wearing your retainer for the recommended number of hours daily.

We offer a variety of retainer options, including fixed and removable. We will discuss the options near the end of treatment.

Retainers are just as important to your orthodontic outcome as the actual braces. Nobody wants to be someone who goes through braces only to have crooked teeth again years later. In fact, retainers are so important that we guarantee our retainers for life. So in the coming years, if your retainer breaks or cracks, just let us know, and we will make you a new one free of charge (assuming it broke during everyday use. We don't cover retainers eaten by your dog).

Are You Ready for a Beautiful, Healthy Smile?

We welcome you to contact our friendly staff at North Brisbane Dental Clinic to arrange an orthodontic evaluation with Dr Priyesh Shah or Dr Georgia Sheahan. They will discuss your options and help you make the right choices to potentially benefit your smile for a lifetime.