Please be informed of our upcoming holiday schedules on the following location:

  • Wentworth Point – Closed on 25/12, 26/12, 27/12, 31/12, 01/01
  • Ropes Crossing – Closed on 25/12, 26/12, 27/12, 01/01

We are open on dates not mentioned above.

What is an Orthodontic Treatment? An Overview

Are you dealing with issues like crooked or uneven teeth? Or perhaps, your bite overlaps your top or bottom teeth? 

These are just some of the problems an orthodontic treatment can help with. Teeth misalignment or malocclusion can worsen if not treated on time, resulting in compromised oral health, speech and eating difficulties and poor aesthetics. However, contrary to popular belief, teeth misalignments can be corrected at any age with many more options than traditional metal braces.

If you’re battling an asymmetrical smile or bite problems and looking for an appropriate solution to address this issue, this blog is for you. Learn more about what orthodontic treatment is, your options and the types of problems it can help fix here.

What is an Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment involves using dental appliances to correct teeth and jaw alignment and positioning. It helps improve functionality and aesthetics, treating crooked, gapped or overcrowded teeth and improper bites.

Orthodontic problems can arise due to various factors, such as genetic predisposition, irregular growth of teeth and jaws, thumb sucking, early loss of primary teeth, and certain medical conditions. These problems can lead to crooked or misaligned teeth, overcrowding, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other issues that can impact oral health and appearance.

The treatment time depends on the patient’s dental condition and the severity of the misalignment and can range from a couple of months to a few years. 

When is Orthodontic Treatment Necessary?

Orthodontic treatment plays a vital role in promoting dental health by aligning the teeth, making them easier to clean and reducing the risk of oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. Proper alignment also contributes to improved bite function, which allows for efficient chewing, helping minimise stress on the jaw joints while giving you the additional advantage of a more pleasing smile.

Some of the reasons why you may need an orthodontic treatment include:

Overbite

An overbite refers to the vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth. In some cases, the upper teeth cover the lower teeth by more than 3 millimetres, leading to an excessive overbite. This can cause problems with chewing and speech and may contribute to jaw joint issues. Orthodontic treatment is often necessary for severe overbites to correct the position of the teeth and jaws for an even bite.

Underbite

An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth protrude or jut out over the upper front teeth. This misalignment can make it difficult to bite and speak and can also affect overall facial aesthetics.

Crowding

Crowding happens when there is not enough space in the jaw for all the teeth to fit properly. The teeth crowd together, overlapping and getting misaligned. This makes it difficult to maintain oral hygiene as your toothbrush cannot effectively clean between them, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Spacing

Gapped or spaced-out teeth generally occur because of missing, smaller-sized, extra teeth or other factors. Gapped teeth may affect your bite and smile aesthetics, and increase the risk of periodontitis and tooth decay.

Types of Orthodontic Treatment

Some of the different types of orthodontic treatments include:

Braces

Braces are one of the most common and proven methods of fixing teeth misalignments. They consist of metal wires and brackets bonded to your teeth, exerting gentle pressure to gradually move your teeth to the desired position. Braces can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues, including crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, and crowding and are suitable for people of all ages.

Some of the different types of braces include:

  • Traditional braces are made of metal wires and brackets.
  • Self-ligating braces are held together by built-in clips instead of brackets to hold the archwire together.

Braces require periodic adjustments by the dentist as your teeth shift and change position. They are fixed and can only be removed or adjusted by the dentist.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are custom-made, transparent aligners that help straighten your teeth discreetly. They are made to fit your teeth and don’t need brackets or wires to keep them in place. Clear aligners offer the advantages of braces without being noticeable on your teeth, making them popular teeth straightening options for adults and teenagers.

A personalised treatment plan is designed by your dentist using 3D imaging technology to fabricate a series of clear aligner trays to be used throughout the treatment. Each tray is discarded after a couple of weeks as your teeth start to align. Clear aligners must be worn for 22 hours daily to achieve the desired results. Some of the advantages of using clear aligners include:

  • Virtually invisible, clear aligners can be worn anywhere with minimal disruption to your personal or professional life.
  • Clear aligners are removable and can be taken out for brushing, flossing or eating your favourite foods.
  • Customised for your teeth, clear aligners offer a precise fit for increased comfort as no wires are rubbing against your teeth and gums.
  • There are fewer visits to the dentists as each tray is premade and no periodic adjustments are required by the dentist.
  • Offer predictable results as your treatment plan is formulated with 3D imagery for accuracy and the best possible outcome.

At Boon Dental, we offer both Invisalign and Spark clear aligners. Our friendly dentists can help you choose aligners best suited to your dental requirements, preferences, and budget.

Headgear

Headgear is used in combination with braces to address more complex orthodontic problems. It typically consists of a headgear frame attached to the braces via straps or wires. Headgear applies external forces to guide the growth and alignment of the jaws and teeth. It is often prescribed for children whose jaws are still developing to correct jaw alignment and bite problems.

Retainers

After the active phase of orthodontic treatment, retainers are used to maintain the teeth position after treatment. Retainers can be removable or fixed. Removable retainers are usually worn at night or for a specific duration prescribed by the dentist, whereas fixed retainers are thin wires bonded to the back of the front teeth.

Teeth Removal

In some cases, orthodontic treatment may involve a tooth extraction to make space for the teeth to grow into proper alignment. The decision to remove teeth is carefully evaluated by our dentists, considering factors such as alternative treatments, teeth condition and oral health before teeth removal.

Facemask

A facemask or reverse-pull headgear is a removable appliance used in orthodontic treatment for correcting underbites in growing children. It consists of a frame worn on the head with straps that apply forward and upward forces to the upper jaw, helping to guide its growth and align it with the lower jaw.

Palatal Expander

Palatal expanders are removable appliances used to widen the upper jaw. They are more commonly used for children with narrow dental arches or crossbites but can also be used for adults if needed. Expanders apply gentle pressure on the upper jaw to gradually separate the bones and create additional space for proper teeth alignment.

Orthognathic Treatment

The orthognathic treatment combines orthodontics with oral and maxillofacial surgery to address more complex skeletal issues involving the jaws and facial structures. This treatment is used when orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct severe jaw discrepancies. Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning the jaws to achieve proper alignment, and orthodontic braces are used to align the teeth in conjunction with the surgery.

The Orthodontic Treatment Process

At Boon Dental, we encourage routine dental checkups for both children and adults as they help detect dental problems early, negating the need for extensive procedures in the future. Early orthodontic intervention for children helps correct problems when teeth and jaws are still developing, shortening treatment times. We  offer a range of orthodontic treatments for both adults and children with bespoke treatment plans for exceptional results.

The orthodontic treatment process includes:

  1. Initial Consultation

We begin treatment with an initial consultation which involves a dental examination and x-rays. This helps us evaluate your teeth and formulate a tailored treatment plan. It also allows us to listen to and understand your concerns, aligning your treatment with your preferences and requirements and explaining the process to you.

  1. Orthodontic Appliance Placement

The next step is the placement of the orthodontic appliance, such as braces, expanders or clear aligners. If braces are chosen, brackets will be bonded to the teeth, and wires and elastic bands will be attached. For clear aligners, we will send your teeth impressions to the lab to fabricate your custom-made aligners and have you come in for fitting when they are ready.

  1. Adjustment and Monitoring

Throughout the treatment process, regular visits to the dentist will be necessary for adjustments and progress checks. These visits typically occur every few weeks. Adjustments may involve changing wires and elastics or providing new aligner sets to continue the movement of the teeth. We will monitor your progress, make necessary modifications to the treatment plan, and ensure everything is progressing as intended.

  1. Treatment Completion

Once the treatment is completed, you will be given retainers to ensure the teeth retain their new position. You can take off the retainers once the teeth have settled and our dentist is satisfied with the results.  

  1. Follow-up Visits

After the completion of orthodontic treatment, periodic follow-up visits will be scheduled to monitor the long-term stability of the results. These visits allow the dentist to assess the retention phase and address any concerns or adjustments needed.

Align Your Smile with Orthodontic Treatments Customised for You

It’s never too late to improve your smile and oral health. Orthodontic treatments can help you correct smile misalignments at any age for a straighter and healthier smile. With a range of treatment options to suit your unique requirements and lifestyle, Boon Dental can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Book a consultation at our Wentworth Point or Ropes Crossing Clinic today.

Boon Dental