Braces
What are braces?
Braces (also called fixed appliances) consist of brackets, which are adhered to the tooth surface and wires, which connect to each of the brackets.
The wire, which is under tension, applies pressure to the teeth and gradually moves each tooth into the correct position. The wire is adjusted at regular intervals to ensure the correct tension and movement of the teeth.
In addition to the braces, elastics (rubber bands) and can also be used which hook on to the braces to apply additional pressure to help move groups of teeth, or the jaw, into better alignment.
Fixed braces are the most common orthodontic treatment for kids and teenagers and provide the best possible outcome.
How do braces work to straighten teeth?
Braces basically work by applying a very gentle and constant force on your teeth to move them into a straighter position. It is the wire that generates all of the straightening force. The brackets ("braces") on your teeth simply give the wire something to hold on to in order to apply its straightening force.
The best age to get braces
For most patients the recommended age to have orthodontic treatment is around 11 to 13 years because this is usually when all of the baby teeth have fallen out and all of the adult teeth have come through. This is also when the pubertal growth spurt begins and the teeth are naturally shifting which helps make orthodontic treatment faster, more effective and more stable long-term, especially when correcting bad bites.
However, there are certain orthodontic problems that can require treatment much sooner to prevent the development of major dental problems later if left untreated, so we recommend that all children have their first orthodontic visit at 8 years of age.
Even though the early teens are the best time to have braces, the experience of orthodontic treatment as an adult is very similar, with the exception that there are more aesthetic treatment options available for adults.
How long will it take to straighten my teeth?
This is dependent on how complex your case is and how much work needs to be done.
Treatments can take as low as 6 months for mild or limited treatments and may take as long as 24 months or more for comprehensive cases. Most routine cases take 18 months or less. At your consultation, your orthodontist will give you an indication of how long your customised treatment is expected to take.
How much does it cost?
This depends on:
The type of treatment (simple movement of a few teeth vs comprehensive treatment of both arches)
Severity of your case (eg mild vs severe)
The type of appliances you prefer (removable plates vs clear aligners vs fixed braces)
Treatment costs vary widely from $2500 for very mild cases to $9000 or more for very complex cases. After your consultation, you will receive an all-inclusive quotation for your customised orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can be a lot more affordable than you think and payment plans are available to help make the costs even more manageable.
Is it painful?
For very few people the feeling of light orthodontic pressure can start to feel like mild pain but this is very brief the teeth shift after a short period of time. Most patients describe the feeling as pressure across the teeth rather than pain, which dissipates after a few hours or days.
When should my child have their first orthodontist visit?
We recommend that your child have their first orthodontic visit at the age of 8. This is an important age to screen for a variety of orthodontic problems (some of which are not obvious) and to give you an idea of what may be required either now or in the future. Coming to the orthodontist at this age also helps to familiarise your child with us and our orthodontic office. A small minority (less than 10%) of children at this age will require early orthodontic treatment, however it is beneficial to be aware of your child's orthodontic development and whether or not they are likely to need treatment.