Orthodontics – Early Intervention for your child
At 818 Dental we divide orthodontics into two distinct phases.
The first, known as early intervention, is all about developing the shape of the jaw and making sure these are in line with each other.
Early intervention for your child may involve one of a wide range of fixed and removable plates or devices. These orthopaedic movements need to be completed before the child stops growing.
The aim is to create enough space for your child’s teeth to avoid the need for extractions often requested by orthodontic practitioners.
With regard to phase 1 appliances there are many different versions depending on whether the device is removable or cemented to the teeth, whether the patient is likely to be compliant and wear the device and whether their lifestyle will allow the use of a device.
Some examples of common appliances used at 818 Dental are listed below:
1. Narrow Jaws require expansion laterally and we often use a Schwartz Appliance. The Schwartz appliance allows us to expand an underdeveloped upper jaw and straighten upper teeth at the same time.
The Schwartz Appliance
2. Short upper jaws with crowding require the use of an Upper Saggittal Appliance to lengthen the jaw and create space for the teeth.
The Saggital Appliance
3. Lower jaws can develop in a position that is short of the upper jaw so we use a Twin Block Appliance to bring it forward and allow the jaws to meet appropriately. The Twin Block Appliance is used to hold an underdeveloped lower jaw in position until the back teeth erupt to stabilise the bite. The process usually takes around 9 months and in most cases its use allows us to avoid the need for jaw surgery.
The Twin Block Appliance
Once the jaw’s development is complete, we can turn our attention to alignment or making the teeth straight, the second phase of orthodontic care.
There are two options for this phase at 818 Dental.
Option 1: Braces
A tried and true method, braces are an excellent choice for many teenagers. We do not apply braces at the clinic, choosing instead to refer appropriate patients to an orthodontist who specialises in this practice.
Option 2: Clear Aligners
Many of our patients do not wish to wear braces, finding them un-aesthetic and apprehensive of pain. For those patients, clear aligners are a modern solution.
These are a series of clear plastic trays that move your teeth gently over a period of time, until they have moved to the final position your dentist has prescribed. They are removable, so individuals do need to be conscious of not losing or breaking them.
They work extremely well in most instances and provide our patients with a flexible and painless way to create a functional bite and perfect smile, while being more aesthetically subtle.
More information on the processes and benefits of aligners can be found on our dedicated clear aligners page (found under the orthodontics tab).
Make your appointment at 818 Dental Armadale today to discuss your treatment options.
Clear Aligners – Invisalign / ClearCorrect
At 818 Dental Armadale we are often asked about Invisalign, which is an American aligner company that pioneered the process.
Over the years, the process has been refined by many competing companies and after exhaustive research we have aligned ourselves with ClearCorrect, who are a part of Straumann Group, a company who have been a landmark company in the dental industry for over 60 years!
ClearCorrect provide us with a clear advantage over the competition.
Clear aligners are a series of clear plastic trays that move your teeth gently over a period of time, until they have moved to the final position your dentist has prescribed. They are removable, so individuals do need to be conscious of not losing or breaking them.
They are an increasingly popular option and work well in most instances. Custom-moulded to each patient, they are a visually subtle, flexible and painless way to create a functional bite and perfect smile.
Benefits
Shorter treatment times.
A typical clear aligner case takes about six months from start to finish. You’ll see us every few weeks to see how you’re progressing. Every few visits you’ll be given additional aligners to continue your treatment.
Treatment times may vary, but are determined following the collection of digital images and a 3D scan at the start of the process.
Invisible. And comfortable.
Unlike braces, clear aligners are barely noticeable visually. In fact, virtually no one will know you’re wearing them. Comfortable to wear, our aligners are also removable so you can eat, drink, brush and floss as usual.
Make your appointment at 818 Dental Armadale today to discuss your treatment optio
