Braces

Traditional metal braces are a great orthodontic appliance to help treat a variety of issues to leave you with a healthy and beautiful smile! 

Having straight teeth isn’t just great for cosmetic appearance. They have many oral health benefits as well, including:

• Improved Digestion 

• Fewer Cavities 

• Prevent TMJ

• Prevent Periodontal (Gum) Disease 

• Improved Sleep

• Prevent Tooth Decay

What Are Braces and How Do They Work?

Braces are one of the original orthodontic treatments for straightening teeth and creating beautiful smiles. Luckily, with modern technology, braces are no longer heavy and clunky orthodontic appliances. 

At FL Dental & Orthodontics, we use lightweight titanium wires and brackets that are placed onto the teeth using an invisible and durable adhesive. The process of shifting teeth to the perfect spot begins when the arch wire puts gentle pressure on the brackets and teeth. More often than not, the addition of rubber bands or springs are used to provide additional force to move certain teeth in a specific direction. Braces apply a light but constant pressure to shift teeth in the ideal position. The teeth will first loosen in order to start the process of shifting. Afterwards, new bone begins to grow to support the tooth in its new position.

How Long Will I Have Braces On?

Braces treatment times vary widely based on the severity of the case. Small gaps and bite issues can be fixed in as little as 6 months. However, more severe malocclusions or complex issues, such as distolingual intra-alveolar displacement (rotated teeth), can take several years to fix. 

Does Getting Braces Hurt?

Braces will naturally cause a little discomfort as the teeth begin to shift. However, they will never hurt or cause serious pain. 

Will My Diet Need To Change?

In order to go through a braces treatment as quickly as possible, there will be a few foods we recommend for you to avoid. Before your treatment begins Dr.Bushra and the staff will go over a short list of foods to avoid! 

At FL Dental & Orthodontics we offer more than just standard metal braces. We can also fix your smile using different types of braces. We offer more discrete options including Ceramic Braces and Lingual Braces, or you can go the more stylish route with our Gold Braces. Click here to schedule a Free Consultation by Calling (08) 9452 0079 or book online 

Ceramic braces are a great alternative to standard metal braces that are a more discrete option to getting the smile of your dreams.

Are you interested in braces as an orthodontic treatment, but not a fan of how visible they can be with the metal brackets? Then ceramic braces might be a great option for you! 

Ceramic braces are different from traditional metal braces in that they use a tooth-colored or clear ceramic brackets that make the braces virtually blend in with your teeth. Traditional braces come in gray or metallic silver brackets and wires and are fun to spice up with uniquely colored ligature ties (the small rubber band on each bracket).

Are Ceramic Braces Right For Me?

Ceramic braces are great for those that want a less visible alternative to traditional braces or don’t have a compatible lifestyle for clear aligners. If you’re interested in finding out if braces or Invisalign is best for you please consult with our highly experienced orthodontist

If you’re working a full time job, are in college or have a career where you interact with a lot of people, ceramic braces may also be a great treatment option for you! Ceramic braces are a subtle treatment option since the color of the brackets is nearly identical to the color of your teeth.

Who We Recommend Ceramic Braces For?

At FL Dental & Orthodontics, we recommend ceramic braces for those that have all of their adult teeth in. This ensures less likelihood of brackets breaking since ceramic tends to be a little more brittle than metal.

At FL Dental & Orthodontics we offer more than just standard metal braces. We can also fix your smile using different types of braces. We offer more discrete options including Ceramic Braces and Lingual Braces, or you can go the more stylish route with our Gold Braces. Click here to schedule a Free Consultation by Calling (08) 9452 0079 or book online 

TAD’s are mini screws temporarily embedded into the bone of the mouth and are used in combination with braces. The primary purpose of TAD’s is to provide a fixed point from which to apply force to move teeth in a more predictable manner. 

TAD’s are an orthodontic appliance used in conjunction with braces to speed up tooth movement and create a more effective orthodontic treatment. 

FL Dental & Orthodontics has the capability to transform smiles using rubber bands and little pieces of metal and plastic to move teeth into the perfect spots. For certain adjustments, a revolutionary orthodontic device called a TAD is used. “TADs,” also known as Temporary Anchorage Devices, are small titanium alloy mini – screws that are used not only to create quicker tooth movement, but to also move certain teeth while keeping others still.

Why Would I Need TADs?

Teeth constantly shift in your mouth without you even knowing it. The reason for this is because your gums do not hold teeth in a static position. Think of your gums as a thick jello where the teeth are held. That’s why, oftentimes, if a person stops wearing retainers after their orthodontic treatment, unwanted tooth movement occurs.

When a tooth requires a strong force to move it, the most popular method of using other teeth as anchors will not work; the anchor point (other tooth) can end up moving itself or there just may not be a tooth in the most optimal orthodontic anchorage. 

TAD’s are a great orthodontic appliance to help fix the following problems:

• Overbites

• Underbites

• Fix gaps created by missing teeth

• Straighten molars

• Pull impacted permanent teeth into place

• Aid in repairing broken jaw

• Anchor for additional orthodontic appliance

What is the Treatment Procedure Like?

At FL Dental & Orthodontics, the entire treatment procedure for TADs is quick and painless. A local anesthetic is used at and around the area where the TAD will be placed from the very beginning.

Once the area is numb, Orthodontist will begin the process of gently placing the small screw through the gum and into the jaw bone. While the TAD is being placed, you may feel a slight pressure.

After the appliance is placed, an elastic band or metal spring is attached from the TAD to the tooth needed to move and that’s it! The entire procedure can take as little as 10 minutes. 

Previous ways of shifting hard to move teeth included the use of uncomfortable and bulky headgear. Now, with the use of TADs, you have a small and discreet screw that is hardly noticeable that can perfect your smile. TADs are not a necessary treatment option for everyone. They can, however, be an alternative to orthognathic surgery in some cases. It opens up options that were not available with conventional orthodontic treatment.

A RPE is an orthodontic appliance used for Phase 1 Early Interceptive Treatment that widens the palate (roof of the mouth). Its purpose is to ensure that the bottom and upper teeth will fit together better. 

Widening a child's palate can serve many benefits from correcting crowding, crossbites, underbites and more, This is possible through the use of a rapid palatal expander. 

Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE) is a type of orthodontic treatment used to increase the width of the upper jaw. This procedure enlarges the dental arch and provides more room for tooth growth.

Palatal expanders offer many advantages for children, such as:

Crossbite correction. Ideally, the upper teeth should close around the outside of the bottom teeth. If a patient has a limited palate, the upper teeth can instead bite into the lower teeth. Because of this, the bottom jaw’s growth can be distortive and when it isn’t rectified straight away, facial asymmetry could occur.

Overcrowding correction. The overcrowding of teeth can be minimized or eliminated by creating space, therefore allowing all of your child’s upper teeth to develop correctly.

Improvements in breathing. Having a narrow or deep upper jaw makes it difficult for kids to breathe through their nose, so they have to use their mouth instead. This leads to the intake of unfiltered bacteria, dry mouth, and potential halitosis.

By increasing the size of the palate, your child’s teeth can be properly developed and their nasal passages widened. This will also help with their bite alignment.

Why is a Rapid Palatal Expander used during a Phase 1 Treatment?

A Palate Expander during Phase 1 ensures there is enough room for permanent teeth.

This reduces the risk of overcrowding, which inevitably leads to crooked teeth. It treats bite growth and the jaw, including issues such as a posterior crossbite or underbite. 

Early correction of the teeth can often prevent dental trauma, removal of permanent teeth, or even jaw surgery. Leaving a severe condition untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in a problem too severe to correct with braces alone, such as loss of adult teeth.

Sample Treatment Sequence Process of Phase 1 with RPE

• A digital intraoral impression is taken of the teeth

• Your appliance is made in the lab

• Orthodontic Separators (SEPs), which are small elastic rubber bands, are placed between the back teeth to establish space

• We cement the appliance to the teeth with a semi-permanent glue.⌚⭐

• We will instruct you on how to activate the appliance.⭐

• Return for follow up visits as needed.

• Partial braces may be added while expander is in to redistribute spaces.⌚⭐

• Once expansion has been complete, the expander will be removed when clinically appropriate.

• Braces will be removed once early interceptive treatment goals have been met.⌚⭐

• Orthodontist will prescribe retainers as necessary to help guide the growth of the jaw and teeth.⭐

⌚ = longer appointment

⭐ = parent should be present

How Long is Treatment?

Rapid palatal expander phase 1 treatment typically takes 9-16 months. Month 0-9 will consist of the appliance (RPE) and possibly start with separators. Orthodontic separators are rubber bands that are placed between the teeth as spacers. The RPE will be removed when clinically appropriate. Month 6-16 may consist of braces to help distribute the spaces between the teeth from the expansion. After treatment, retainers will be used to hold the teeth in place and guide eruption of permanent teeth. Retainer use will be discontinued as permanent teeth erupt. 

Your child may still need braces when the permanent teeth fully erupt. Phase 1 focuses on the growth and development of teeth and the jaw. The goal is not necessarily to align the teeth at this point. Most patients need a full set of braces/invisalign once all of the permanent teeth come in, which is referred to as Phase 2.