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Smiling Wide Orthodontics

Not sure where to begin? We understand that orthodontics can be a daunting and confusing experience. This is why the team at Smiling Wide Orthodontics have compiled some general information, as well as answers to questions we're most commonly asked. If you're ready to get started, call our clinic in Bundaberg, Maryborough or Hervey Bay to set up a consultation.

General

  • WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?

    Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specialises in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.

  • WHAT IS AN ORTHODONTIST?

    An orthodontist is a registered dental specialist who has completed an advanced education program following dental school to learn the special skills required to manage tooth movement and guide facial development.

  • WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF ORTHODONTICS?
    • A more attractive smile
    • Reduced appearance-consciousness during critical development years
    • Better function of the teeth
    • Possible increase in self-confidence
    • Increased ability to clean the teeth
    • Improved force distribution & wear patterns of the teeth
    • Better long-term health of teeth & gums
    • Guide permanent teeth into more favourable positions
    • Reduce the risk of injury to protruded front teeth
    • Aid in optimising other dental treatment
  • WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS YOU MAY NEED BRACES?
    • Upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth (buck teeth)
    • Upper front teeth cover the majority of the lower teeth when biting together (deep bite)
    • Upper front teeth are behind or inside the lower front teeth (underbite)
    • The upper & lower front teeth do not touch when biting together (open bite)
    • Crowded or overlapped teeth
    • The centre of the upper & lower teeth do not line up
    • Finger or thumb-sucking habits which continue after 6 or 7 years old
    • Difficulty chewing
    • Teeth wearing unevenly or excessively
    • The lower jaw shifts to one side or the other when biting together
    • Spaces between the teeth
    • Missing teeth from heredity or trauma
  • AT WHAT AGE SHOULD ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT START?

    Orthodontic treatment can be started at any age. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected at an early age before jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean that a patient can avoid surgery and more serious complications. The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that every child first visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by parents, the family dentist, or the child's medical doctor.

  • WHAT IS EARLY TREATMENT?

    Early interceptive treatment is undertaken well before all of the permanent teeth have erupted. Such treatment can occur between the ages of 6 and 10, and will often include use of expanders, removable appliances, functional appliances or partial braces. This treatment is often recommended to make more space for developing teeth, correction of severe skeletal discrepancies, crossbites, overbites, and underbites or harmful oral habits.

  • WOULD AN ADULT BENEFIT FROM ORTHODONTICS?

    Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Everyone wants a beautiful and healthy smile. Over 20% of our orthodontic patients today are adults, some well on the smiling side of 50.

  • HOW DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT WORK?

    Braces and Invisalign use steady gentle pressure to gradually move teeth into their proper positions.

    For braces, the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the archwire that connects them are the main components. When the archwire is placed into the brackets, it tries to return to its original shape. As it does so, it applies pressure to move your teeth to their new, more ideal positions.

Braces

  • CAN I PLAY CONTACT SPORTS WITH BRACES?

    Yes, you can play contact sports, but you must ask us for a mouthguard.

  • WILL BRACES INTERFERE WITH PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

    No. However, there may be an initial period of adjustment. In addition, brace covers or different wax can be provided to prevent any continuing discomfort.

  • DO BRACES HURT?

    Wearing braces is simple and generally quite easy with the modern devices available. However, braces do need to be regularly adjusted, and this will make the teeth feel tender for a few days. During this short period, a mild painkiller may be needed. A drug-free solution is to chew sugar-free gum, as this will relieve the cramping sensation in the teeth and gums without the need for a painkiller. The fitting of braces is generally painless. Discomfort usually occurs several hours after placement of the appliances and similarly after adjustments.

  • DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY ORTHODONTIC CARE ALL AT ONCE?

    We are sensitive to the financial pressures on families today, so for your convenience, we provide a payment plan for your orthodontic care. An initial deposit is paid when the appliances are fitted, and the balance is paid in interest-free monthly instalments for the duration of the treatment. Payment can be made by Mastercard, Visa, cheque, cash, electronic funds transfer and direct debit.

  • DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE AN ORTHODONTIST?

    No. You can arrange a consultation without your dentist's referral however, we will ask you to see your dentist for a check-up prior to any treatment. If you do not have a dentist, we will happily provide you with some convenient options. We have a large number of well-respected and caring colleagues in all local communities we service who can look after your general dental needs.

  • HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY BRACES?

    The care of your braces will be fully explained when they are placed. You'll get a full run-down on cleaning, things to avoid eating (to prevent damage to the teeth and appliances) and how to keep and get yourself out of trouble.

  • HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

    Most full brace treatments take an average 15 months. There are mild cases that complete in under 6 months, a few severe cases in excess of 18 months. If it takes a really long time, there could be cooperation issues like not wearing your elastics.

  • HOW MUCH DOES ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT COST?

    No two orthodontic problems are the same and the cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on the severity of the problem and the treatment required. Many orthodontic problems require only simple treatment and you might find that the cost is lower than you thought. Costs will be discussed in full at your initial consultation. The fee that we quote covers all aspects of your orthodontic treatment and the majority of patients pay this fee in instalments over the duration of the treatment to make the cost more manageable. A discounted fee is available if you prefer to pay for your whole treatment when you start.

  • SHOULD I CONTINUE TO SEE MY FAMILY DENTIST WHILE IN BRACES

    Definitely! It is very important to continue your regular dental check-ups to prevent and detect dental decay and to monitor your overall oral health.

  • SHOULD I TAKE OUT HEALTH INSURANCE COVER?

    Health funds repay some of the cost of orthodontic treatment for fund members who have the appropriate level of dental insurance. Please carefully check the premiums, conditions and level or rebate to see whether you will be better off with insurance or not.

  • IS A TAX REBATE AVAILABLE FOR MY TREATMENT?

    There is an ATO 20% tax rebate for a minimum indexed out of pocket medical and dental expenses. Our friendly staff or your taxation adviser can advise on how to maximise this assistance from the ATO.

  • WHAT DOES MY TREATMENT FEE COVER?

    The fee covers the entire treatment, including fitting of braces or other orthodontic appliance, periodic adjustments, removal of the braces or appliance, 1 set of retainers (if needed) and the retention and observation periods thereafter for a minimum period of 2 years. The fee does not cover such items as ancillary treatment that may be required before, during or after orthodontic treatment such as surgery and check-ups with your dentist.

  • WHAT TYPES OF BRACES ARE AVAILABLE?

    Braces are available in clear ceramic or polycarbonate and metal. There are hundreds of different brace types on the market. You will be fitted with what we feel are the best brace available. We have a preference for low profile, smaller brackets. We have also routinely used clear braces for the upper front teeth for the last 25 years, without charging an extra fee. Also, remember that we may choose a different brace to what's on your friend because it suits your condition better.

  • WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD VISIT THE ORTHODONTIST

     

    The Australian Orthodontic Society recommends initial orthodontic assessment around the age of 7 years when the permanent incisor teeth are erupting. The majority of children examined at this age will not require immediate treatment, perhaps never. However early assessment helps detect problems that can benefit from early intervention.

  • WHEN WILL APPOINTMENTS BE SCHEDULED?

    We share your concern about missing work, and we make every effort to ensure that all patients receive a fair share of convenient appointments. In Bundaberg, we schedule longer appointments between 9am and 3pm and shorter appointments before and after school. Once treatment commences, the majority of your appointments will fall in the short category. If you are travelling more than an hour for your appointment, some special consideration will be made for your convenience, and please advise our friendly staff of your special travel requirements. For the Hervey Bay and Maryborough branches, all appointments are rotated during various times of the day.

  • WHY GET BRACES?

    There are plenty of reasons to get braces. The most important is that treatment is faster and better when completed on a young and growing patient. Other factors include everyone you know has braces at your age so it's easier to be one of the crowd rather than dealing with it when you are older; your teeth usually get more crowded with age so if you think it's minor now, things will probably worsen; when you are young your parents normally pay for it—they may not be as generous when you are older!

  • WHY START TREATMENT EARLY?

    Early treatment is only indicated where there is demonstrable benefit in intercepting a developing problem; that is the condition would worsen without intervention to the point where future treatment was compromised. An example of this would be an extreme bite problem which is amenable to corrective treatment at an early age but potentially difficult or impossible to treat when older.

  • WILL BRACES MAKE ME TALK FUNNY?

    No, braces should not interfere with the way you speak or the sound of your voice. Certain appliances have a minor effect on your voice, however the tongue gets conditioned to these appliances quickly and speech nearly always returns to normal after a few days.

  • WILL I NEED TO HAVE TEETH REMOVED?

    Modern orthodontics in conjunction with treatment at an appropriate age has reduced the need for extractions in the majority of cases—even with adults. There are cases where crowding, the position of the teeth in the face or the bite dictate the need to extract teeth, however these are very much the minority. Dr Saxby has a demonstrated preference for not extracting teeth unless required to produce a better aesthetic and functional result for you.

Herbst / CBJ / Hanks/ Forsus Appliance

One of the most common problems orthodontists are asked to treat is the discrepancy that occurs when the upper teeth protrude beyond the lower. Ordinarily, when we see a patient with the upper teeth protruding, we tend to think that the upper jaw and teeth are too far forward, but more often than not, this condition is due to a small lower jaw that is further back than it should be. With these patients, the orthodontist would like to encourage the lower jaw to catch up in growth, and braces like the Herbst appliance help this happen.

  • HOW DOES IT WORK?

    Smiling Wide Orthodontics uses the Herbst appliance to enhance the growth of the lower jaw in a forward direction. A tube and rod work together similar to a shock absorber to connect the upper and lower jaws. This does not interfere with opening and closing the mouth or with eating, however side to side movement is somewhat restricted. The Herbst appliance is cemented on the back molars and is in place and active 24-hours a day. It is generally worn full time for up to 8 months along with front braces. Once it is removed, braces are added to the side teeth to complete tooth alignment.


    At first, your mouth will feel unusually full and speaking will be awkward. But if you practice reading aloud, your ordinary speech will return quickly. You may also notice more saliva than normal, but this will decrease as you become accustomed to the appliance. The appliance may irritate the inside of your cheeks at first but soon the tissue will toughen up to the appliance and not be a problem.


    As the Herbst appliance makes corrections to the jaw relationship, most patients will notice that the back teeth will not meet, making initial chewing difficult. This is normal and necessary for the progression of treatment. The teeth will gradually come together so that chewing becomes more normal after about a week.

Potential Concerns

If the rod slides out of the tube while opening, open wide again and guide the rod back into the tube as you close.


If a screw or crown comes loose, save all pieces and call the orthodontist's office so they can repair the appliance. Bring all the pieces with you to the orthodontist.

Twin Block Appliance

The purpose of the appliance is to harness growth potential of the patient's lower jaw (mandible) for maximum orthodontic benefit.


Please note:


  • The appliance must be worn at all times, even while eating. You should take it out while cleaning your teeth, playing sport or swimming.
  • Patients may initially experience some tiredness in the joint area around the ear & muscles of associated regions.
  • The appliance must be worn while eating, however it should be cleaned using a toothbrush & toothpaste to remove saliva residue & odours.
  • When playing sport or swimming, this appliance should be kept safe in the case provided to avoid breakage or loss. If lost, replacement costs will apply.
  • Usually speech will be affected for up to a week or so only. Continual wear for the first few days will reduce this speech disability markedly.
  • The first night or two the appliance may not stay in the mouth whilst asleep. Continual wearing of the appliance will normally solve this.


If you have any further concerns regarding the wearing of this appliance, please contact Smiling Wide Orthodontics.

Andresen And Myofunctional Appliance

The purpose of the appliance is to harness growth potential of the patient's lower jaw (mandible) for maximum orthodontic benefit.


Please note:


  • The appliance must be worn at all times except while eating, cleaning teeth, playing sport or swimming.
  • Patients may initially experience some tiredness in the joint area around the ear and muscles of associated regions.
  • The appliance should be cleaned using a toothbrush & toothpaste to remove saliva residue & odours.
  • When playing sport or swimming, this appliance should be kept safe in the case provided to avoid breakage or loss. If lost, replacement costs will apply.
  • Usually speech will be affected for up to a week or so only. Continual wear for the first few days will reduce this speech disability markedly.
  • The first night or two the appliance may not stay in the mouth whilst asleep. Continual wearing of the appliance will normally solve this.

Removable Appliances

Your removable appliance must be worn at all times, preferably while eating. You should only remove your appliance when you are cleaning your teeth, playing sport or swimming. You may initially experience some tiredness in the joint area around the ear and the chewing muscles. This should settle within a few days.

When playing sport or swimming your appliance should be kept safe in the case provided to avoid breakage or loss. If lost, replacement costs will apply.

The first night or two the appliance may not stay in the mouth whilst asleep. Continual wearing of the appliance will normally solve this.

Please follow any instructions for expansion or screw to be turned.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

After eating, remove the appliance and:

  1. Brush your teeth & gums especially where they are covered by the plate

2. Brush the plate with toothbrush & toothpaste

Never use boiling water to clean your appliance (U.R.A/Twin Block/Andresen/Essix/Retainer).

  • Avoid chewing gum, sticky sweets & soft drinks
  • Minimise cakes, sweet biscuits & lollies
  • Do not move the appliance up & down with your tongue

At first you will have difficulty eating and talking and you will experience an increase in saliva flow. This will pass in a couple of days providing the plate is worn as directed.


REPLACEMENT APPLIANCES

  • Will be charged for, so treat it with care
  • If you have any problems which make it difficult to wear your appliance, please advise the surgery immediately


YOUR DENTIST

You must continue your regular visits to your dentist every 6 months or so, during the orthodontic treatment period.

Headgear

  1. Insert the bow-arch, placing one end only partly in one round large tube, then place the other end in the other tube. Now seat the bow-arch completely, teasing it, never forcing. The loops on the bow-arch face downwards.
  2. Now attach the neck-strap or head cap to the bow-arch, hooked on as instructed.
  3. Handle everything carefully, especially when removing or inserting the arch.
  4. Should a band which is cemented to a tooth become loose, call for an emergency appointment. Bring the band with you, of course, and all the other material as well.
  5. Protect the bow-arch when it's not in use by keeping it with the neck-strap in the container provided. Bring all this material to the surgery on each visit.

WHEN YOU SHOULD WEAR IT

You don't need to wear the head gear at school, but you must wear it every day—all night when you're asleep and a few of the waking hours to make up the difference. These hours need not interfere with after school playtime, since it can be worn while doing homework, watching TV or on the computer.

Only the first night or two may be uncomfortable, as the molars may be sore and falling asleep might be difficult. Once the neck-strap adjustment is started it must be adhered to continuously, wearing every day and all night. If you leave it off just one night you may have to wear it many extra nights later on.

PLEASE TAKE CARE

  • Your headgear must be worn with care. It must be put in and taken out in a manner to prevent facial or eye injury.
  • Never wear your headgear in rough play or any situation where it might be dislodged suddenly.
  • Never remove the wire section without first removing the neck-strap or other elastic force.
  • Never adjust or alter your headgear without instructions from your orthodontist.


Bonded Retainers

The bonded retainer has a wire bent inside the front teeth to retain the teeth in their new positions. This retainer will usually be kept in place for a longer period of time than a removable retainer.

Occasionally small seeds (strawberry or sesame) may be caught under the bonded wire retainer. A toothbrush will usually be sufficient to work out any such food.

If the bonded retainer becomes loose at any time during the retention period, please contact the surgery to have it re-bonded.