Traditional Braces

Appearance: people are very aware of how their teeth look to others. An attractive smile can greatly boost self confidence and enhance self esteem.

Cleaning of Teeth: crooked teeth are difficult to clean and often lead to decay, gum disease and early loss of teeth. Straighter teeth are much easier to brush and floss.

Chewing: your ability to chew food is best with your bite or occlusion is correct. Thorough chewing of food aids proper digestion.

Speech Problems: some people have difficulty speaking properly because of alignment problems with their teeth and jaws.

Tooth Wear: crooked teeth often show abnormal and damaging patterns of wear.

While orthodontic treatment can greatly improve appearance and function of the teeth and jaws, complications are possible. All dental procedures are associated with some risks. Most people having orthodontic treatment will acknowledge and accept the risks because the benefits of having orthodontic work outweigh the potential risks. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your dentist before proceeding.

Common temporary risks:

• Inflammation of gums due to inability to clean properly under the braces. This usually clears up when the braces are removed
• Ulcers and cuts inside the mouth. This usually heals quickly as the mouth toughens up
• Difficulty eating due to discomfort or pain from braces

Common permanent risks:

• Damage to tooth enamel called “decalcification”. Decalcification occurs when dental plaque builds up around the braces leading to decay due to inadequate brushing and poor diet such as soft drink and sugar foods. The best way to avoid decay is to be diligent with cleaning and careful with food containing sugar. Fluoride application may also be useful.
• Damage to tooth roots. As each tooth is moved, its root may shorten a little. This usually does not affect the longevity of the tooth. In some cases the nerve of the tooth may die, and the tooth will require root canal treatment during or after braces.
• Relapse may occur. It is possible that some teeth move away from their corrected positions after braces are completed. Retainers can restrict the movements of teeth when worn correctly and consistently. If the relapse is severe, another course of orthodontics may be needed.

Orthodontic visits always start with thorough examination and orthodontic record taking. After proper diagnosis, our dentist is able to advise you on: treatment options, when to start treatment, how long it will take and how much it will cost. Patients return about every 4 to 8 weeks for adjustments, wire changes and general inspections of their orthodontic progress.

No two orthodontic problems are the same. The cost of treatment will depend on the severity of the problem and the dentist’s fee scale.

In Australia, the fee for full orthodontic treatment ranges from about $5,000 to $10,000, sometimes more if other treatments such as surgeries are required.

The dentist’s fee usually covers the entire treatment including fitting of braces, adjustments, removal of the braces, fitting of retainers and review visits after braces.

Depending on your level of health cover and how long you have been in the health fund, you may be offered some rebate on orthodontic treatment. You should discuss the cost of your orthodontic treatment fully with your health fund and your dentist before proceeding.