Children’s Orthodontics Melbourne
Kids Orthodontics Melbourne
If you have growing kids in Melbourne and are worried about their smile, or you are considering braces for them, then there are a few things you should know.
Full Orthodontic Braces are typically performed once all adult teeth have erupted. However, early intervention in some young kids can help alleviate future complications. Utilising their growing years can help minimise the amount of treatment required once they undergo full braces.
It is best to seek an opinion from our kids orthodontic team at The Smile Designer Dental Studio as early as possible, so that we can guide you through their options. Our practice is based in Melbourne on the border of Thornbury and South Preston.
Sometimes, the answer is to simply wait until they are older before intervening!
Join us for an Orthodontic Consultation at The Smile Designer Dental Studio.
Functional Appliance Commonly Used
Some growing kids require early intervention orthodontics during their growing years to treat Severe Class II or Pseudo Class III cases. These are kids that have an increased or reversed overjet, bucked teeth, and a small lower jaw. Utilising growth modification techniques on certain cases, we can help reduce or alleviate the need for future dental extractions or jaw surgery. All early intervention orthodontic treatment will require future orthodontics once all the adult teeth have come through to create that aesthetically pleasing and functional smile for your child.
A Twin Block is a removable appliance that is made in 2 parts, which permit and allows normal mouth movement and eating. The appliance is designed in such a way that it can help improve the size and width of the upper arch, while projecting the lower jaw forwards at the same time. The Twin Block is best used during the growing years in young children, typically around 9 – 12 years of age, and is normally utilised for a period of 12 -18 months. This is followed by full fixed braces when older.
These appliances are commonly used to create space and increase the arch width of the upper jaw during the growing years of younger kids and teenagers. This orthopaedic expansion of the jaw is activated by turning a screw in the middle of the plate once or twice a day as directed by our team at The Smile Designer. The length of time that this appliance is used for will be discussed by our team and will vary from each child.
Removable Orthodontic appliances are used in growing kids when there are minor tooth movements required. They are used in growing kids that have orthodontic problems such as crossbites or teeth that are blocked out. It can help with arch width expansion as well.
If your child has prematurely lost a baby tooth or teeth, then this can have implications on the growth of the surround adult teeth over the years. Teeth on either side of the gap can move and cause future complications. These space maintainers are utilised to prevent tooth movement into these spaces. They are simple and robust appliances that are made in conjunction with our Orthodontic Laboratories.
What are space maintainers and when are they required?
Space maintainers are dental appliances used to preserve the space created by a prematurely lost or extracted primary (baby) tooth. These devices are typically required in pediatric dentistry when a primary tooth is lost before the eruption of its permanent successor. Space maintainers serve several important functions:
- Maintaining Space: The primary purpose of a space maintainer is to prevent neighboring teeth from drifting or shifting into the empty space left by the lost primary tooth. This ensures that there is adequate space available for the permanent tooth to erupt properly when it’s ready.
- Facilitating Normal Eruption: Space maintainers help guide the emerging permanent tooth into its correct position, reducing the likelihood of it coming in crooked or misaligned due to the shifting of adjacent teeth.
- Preserving Bite Alignment: By preventing neighboring teeth from moving out of their natural positions, space maintainers help maintain proper bite alignment and occlusion (the way the upper and lower teeth fit together).
Space maintainers come in various types, including:
- Removable Space Maintainers: These are typically made of acrylic and have artificial teeth to fill the gap. They can be removed for cleaning and are suitable for older children who can cooperate with their use.
- Fixed Space Maintainers: These are cemented or bonded to adjacent teeth and are not removable by the child. They are often used when a primary molar is lost and are more common in younger children who may have difficulty with removable appliances.
Space maintainers are necessary when:
- A primary tooth is lost prematurely due to decay or injury.
- The permanent tooth is expected to erupt in the near future.
- There is a risk of neighboring teeth shifting into the empty space.
Properly placed space maintainers help ensure the healthy development of a child’s permanent dentition and reduce the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment in the future. They are typically used in consultation with a pediatric dentist or orthodontics to address specific dental concerns.
Kids Orthodontics – Before and After Photos
FAQ’S About Kids Orthodontics
Do I need a dental check up before starting Orthodontics?
Yes, a dental check up and teeth cleaning are essential prior to starting orthodontics, and this needs to be maintained during orthodontic treatment as well. We recommend six monthly dental hygiene visits to maintain the health of your teeth and gums
Will the treatment hurt?
It is normal for teeth to be tender. This will last for a few days. The intensity and duration of this discomfort will vary with each patient. Painkillers may need to be taken to relieve any discomfort. It is recommended that you see your pharmacist for the medication that would suit you. Teeth can feel “tight” after an adjustment but it is usually mild and disappears quickly.
The cheeks and lips also need time to become accustomed to braces or other appliances. A “settling in” period is also normal for other functional appliances.
What food can I eat?
If you eat hard and/or sticky foods, wires can bend or break and brackets and bands can come loose. Sweets and lollies are usually hard and should not be eaten; minties, toffees, boiled lollies, hard chocolate, ice blocks, hard biscuits, nuts and other similar foods ill all damage braces. On special occasions, it is nice to have sweets and it is better to choose a softer alternative such as a cake, a soft centred chocolate or ice cream. Most bread, meat, fruit and vegetables are fine, however, hard or crisp foods such as apples and raw carrots should be sliced or shredded before eating. It is also best to cut meat off bones and corn off the cob.
Will I have teeth removed?
Our goal is to place the teeth in the ideal aesthetic position that is best for your smile and suits your face.In some cases, it is necessary to remove teeth as part of the orthodontic treatment. We carry out meticulous planning to formulate and orthodontic treatment plan. The decision to extract any teeth is not taken lightly, and you will be involved in the planning phase while we go through all the possible options available.
How long does Phase 1 Orthodontics take?
Every individual is different and early intervention orthodontics can range from 6 up to 18 months. This will depend on the type of appliance used and the treatment goal and outcome desired. All information will be provided to you at your initial consultation.
What are the benefits of Orthodontics?
The idea is to create a more attractive, natural and pleasing smile. Our aim is to create better functionality of your teeth. Studies show that people with straight teeth have better self confidence, while it encourages long term better health of the teeth and gums. This is because there is an increased ability to clean teeth due to less crowding. Teeth that are protruded are also a lower risk of injury once they are straightened. As the phrase goes- ‘healthy smiles, healthy life’.
What are some of the signs that Phase 1 or Early Intervention Orthodontics may be needed?
If you notice general crowding or overlapping of teeth, of the midlines and centres of your teeth do not line up, then you may require orthodontics. Some people have spacing, deep bites, underbites and open bites. All these issues cause the teeth to not fit in its proper position, and can lead to difficulty in chewing and long term dental wear. Habits such as finger or thumb sucking that continue after six or seven years old can cause dental related problems.
What is Phase 1 and Phase 2 Treatment?
Phase 1 is orthodontics that is starting at an early age, before all the adult teeth have erupted into position. Treatment can start from 8 years of age, and can help in the correction of crossbites, overbites, underbites, and certain habits.
Phase 2 treatment is done at an older age once all adult teeth have come through. Typically, this is around 12-15 years old for girls and 13-16 years of age for boys.
Can we play sports with braces?
Yes, it is ok to continue playing sports. We would recommend using a mouthguard. If you have a removable appliance, this can be removed during sports.
Will Braces interfere with playing musical instruments?
In most cases, braces do not affect your musical abilities. There will be a period of adjustment that is required but most of our patients have not noticed a huge impact.
What is the cost of Orthodontics?
Because there are so many treatment options available for each child, at your initial consultation, our team will put together a treatment plan that is catered specifically for you. We offer Orthodontic Consultations at The Smile Designer so that we can go through all the options available to you and your child.
Where is your dental clinic located?
We are located in Melbourne at 118-120 High street, Thornbury. We are on the border of Thornbury and South Preston, close to Bell Street, and just a stones throw away from surrounding suburbs like Northcote, Brunswick, Preston and Heidelberg.
What is dental overcrowding and how can it be treated?
Dental overcrowding is a condition in which there is insufficient space in the mouth to accommodate all the teeth properly. This can lead to various dental issues, including misalignment, bite problems, and aesthetic concerns. Dental overcrowding can occur for several reasons, including genetics, inadequate jaw size, or the presence of extra teeth.
Treatment for dental overcrowding typically involves orthodontic intervention and may include the following approaches:
- Braces: Traditional braces are often used to align and straighten teeth when overcrowding is present. Brackets and wires are attached to the teeth, and gradual adjustments are made to move the teeth into their proper positions over time.
- Orthodontic Appliances: In some cases, orthodontists may recommend removable or fixed appliances that help create space and facilitate tooth movement. These can include palatal expanders, space maintainers, or headgear.
- Tooth Extractions: In more severe cases of dental overcrowding, one or more teeth may need to be extracted to create space for the remaining teeth to align properly. Typically, this is done strategically to achieve the best alignment and bite.
- Invisalign or Clear Aligners: Clear aligner systems like Invisalign can be effective for addressing mild to moderate cases of dental overcrowding. These aligners are custom-made and gradually shift the teeth into their correct positions.
- Retainers: After orthodontic treatment, retainers are often prescribed to maintain the new tooth positions and prevent regression. Retainers can be removable or fixed, depending on the individual case.
- Surgical Orthodontics: In extreme cases where dental overcrowding is accompanied by severe jaw discrepancies, orthognathic surgery may be required in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to reposition the jaws and align the teeth properly.
The specific treatment approach for dental overcrowding varies depending on the severity of the condition, the age of the patient, and their individual needs and preferences. Kids orthodontic consultations and evaluations are essential to determine the most suitable treatment plan to achieve a healthy and properly aligned smile.
Meet the Team
Dr Dev Boparoy
Dr Madeleine Duff
Why Choose The Smile Designer
We have helped numerous people in Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs with our high-quality care and superior service to achieve optimal results. Our dentists take great pride in not only restoring your smile and keeping it healthy, but also educating our patients about their oral health. It is important to us that we create the best foundation in ensuring our patients have full clarity and transparency in understanding their treatment plans.We have invested in state of the art technology to provide you with quality and peace of mind. Cosmetic dentistry has become increasingly popular. Ultimately who doesn’t want a smile that shines with confidence? Being at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry, we combine advanced technology, an artistic eye with extensive experience alongside ethical practice to ensure you are in the most capable and experienced hands. When you choose the Smile Designer, our dental clinic offers renowned dentistry because of the following:
Precise dental care solution
Top rated dentist
Latest technology and equipment
Flexible payment options suited to every budget
Well trained dental practitioners and experienced staff
The most accurate diagnosis
Patient-Centric and holistic approach
Outstanding results with competitive prices
Ethical, compassionate and progressive dentistry
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Our Preston dental clinic remains open 5 days a week. We offer morning and evening appointments to cater to your busy lifestyle. We invite and welcome all new patients as well existing patients to our state-of-the-art clinic to experience a smile journey like no other.
