Brace Yourself at Northside Orthodontics
About Braces
Braces are the most common appliance used to achieve ideal tooth alignment and bite. Braces work by applying gentle forces to the teeth moving them into the desired positions. Once fitted, patients must attend regular appointments with the orthodontist (every 6-8 weeks) to have their braces adjusted. Treatment time varies from person to person, but an average treatment time is 18-24 months.
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When the braces are removed, custom-made bonded and removable retainers are fitted to ensure long-term retention.
Types of Braces
Metal Braces
Metal (stainless steel) braces are silver in colour. Whilst the brackets and wires are metal, the O-rings that hold the wires in place come in every colour of the rainbow! You can change the colour combinations every 6-8 weeks at adjustment appointments with your Orthodontist.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces consist of a clear, tooth-coloured bracket. The wire is still metal but the o-rings are clear, making the braces overall less visible and therefore more appealing to some patients. If you wish, you can choose to mix things up with coloured o-rings as well!
You can see the braces components up close on our typodont models at your consultation appointment.
What to Expect
Appointments
Once the bracket type and o-ring colours have been selected, the Orthodontist will use a gritty paste to buff the surface of each tooth before using a blue gel to give the tooth a thorough clean. Retractors will be placed to hold the lips back and the teeth will be blown with air to keep them dry. One by one the brackets will be glued down and set with a blue light.
Patients will be given a care kit and a one-on-one demonstration on how to use the items in the kit to keep their braces and teeth clean at home.
The fitting and demonstration will take approximately 90 minutes.
Appointments thereafter will be every 6-8 weeks with the Orthodontist. When nearing the end of treatment, the appointments may become closer together. There will also be times where the appointments may be carried out by the Hygienist or a Dental Assistant.
To keep progress on track, we recommend booking the next appointment at the end of the current appointment.
Elastics
Most patients will require Elastics at some stage of their braces treatment. Elastics (small rubber bands) stretch between small hooks on the braces and apply the steady force needed to guide the teeth and jaws into position to correct the bite.
Elastics come in different sizes, strengths and colours and can be worn in many different configurations depending on the treatment requirements.
Retainers
At the end of treatment, the Hygienist will remove the braces and fit custom retainers to ensure the teeth don’t move or shift back. We recommend lifetime wear of the retainers to ensure the teeth do not change their positions after treatment.
Cleaning & Eating
It is up to the patient to keep their Braces clean and their teeth and gums healthy.
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Brush a minimum of 3 times a day with a soft-bristled brush, moving the brush around in gentle, angled, circular motions. An interdental brush should be used twice a day and can be used between brushes and after snacking to remove trapped food. If unable to brush, rinse the mouth thoroughly with water. Flossing is essential and should be done once a day as well.
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Opt to eat softer foods like pastas, soups, mashed potatoes, yoghurt and smoothies after the fitting and initially after each adjustment. These are foods that don’t require heavy chewing when the teeth are feeling sore or sensitive. Avoid hard or sticky foods and drinks high in sugar or acid like soft drink, sports drinks and juice. Cut up foods that you would normally bite into as these can cause damage to the appliances.
For some patients, the following appliances are used in conjunction with braces:
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Forsus
Forsus springs are a fixed functional appliance attached to the braces and are designed to correct the bite and improve the facial profile. The springs are fitted once the teeth have been aligned and strong wires are in place. They work by applying continuous force to pull the upper teeth back and posture the lower teeth forward. Wear time varies per patient, depending on the level of correction required.
TADs
Temporary Anchorage Devices, or TADs, are small titanium alloy screws that are positioned into the gum and underlying bone to serve as an anchor, enabling greater control of tooth direction.
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CashYou are welcome to settle your account using cash at our practice. Please note: no cash is left on premises overnight.
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ChequeYou are welcome to settle your account with Cheque at this practice. Please discuss this payment option with our reception team to find out more information.
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Interest Free OrthoInterest Free allows you to get orthodontic treatment today and pay it off over time. Your payments will be made in instalments meaning it won't hit your bank balance straight away. Interest Free finance gives you and your family flexibility and peace of mind. Disclaimer: Interest free payment plans only avaliable for some treatments. Ask the team for more information.
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Direct DepositYou are welcome to settle your account with Direct Deposit at this practice. Please discuss this payment option with our reception team to find out more information.