Blog Coburg Dental Group

If you’re considering braces Reservoir for yourself or your child because the teeth are crooked or you want to enhance the smile, here’s some preliminary information which you’ll need to consider.  But remember, you’re not alone.  Thousands of people in Australia are currently wearing braces and millions have worn braces in the past.  It is becoming more and more popular and it doesn’t matter whether you’re 6 or 60 years of age.

 You do not need a referral

We provide comprehensive orthodontic treatment in our conveniently located and newly renovated clinic. We provide treatment for patients from all over Melbourne and this includes all aspects of orthodontics Reservoir, Essendon, Fawkner, Brunswick, Preston and of-course Coburg patients regularly attend our clinic.

Dr Matthew Siebel

At Coburg Dental Group, we are very fortunate to have Matthew provide our orthodontic treatment.  He is a very experienced general practitioner who was originally taught by world-renowned Dr Derek Mahoney and then taught alongside Derek for several years in Sydney. Matthew has the advantage over orthodontists in that he can provide all of the treatment requirements of a patient in our clinic so there’s no need to see different dentists for various aspects of your treatment and it’s not just the braces Reservoir patients for example are happy to see him for all their dental needs.

General Dental Check-up first

Orthodontic treatment can only be undertaken on healthy teeth so it’s important to have a general dental check-up prior to getting braces. X-rays are often required to check for tooth decay between the teeth and to check under the gum-line. Many patients will require a scale and clean or a tooth polish before the braces are placed.

Regular check-up and maintenance during treatment

Braces tend to collect food and plaque much more than regularly so it’s very important to brush and floss the teeth and braces twice a day. However, there are always areas that could do with extra attention.  We therefore recommend a regular hygienist visit every 3-6 months to ensure that the teeth remain healthy during the course of orthodontic treatment.

X-rays and study models

Good planning is important in order to achieve the best possible end result so it’s necessary to have an OPG x-ray and lateral cephalogram x-ray so that various measurements can be made as part of the planning process.  We have a state-of-the-art, digital x-ray machine to perform these x-rays at Coburg Dental Group.

Study models which are a 3-D depiction of the teeth are also required as part of the planning process.  We can do this the traditional way by taking impressions using a putty-like material which is placed in the mouth for 2 minutes or we can use our preferred method which is to scan the teeth using a digital scanner.

Part of the planning process is to determine how to straighten the teeth without needing to extract healthy teeth.  This is the traditional way of making room for the teeth to be relocated and is very commonly suggested by orthodontists.  However, our preferred treatment is to avoid removing teeth when possible.

Investigate your choices-clear, metal or Invisalign

There is often more than one option to achieve an acceptable treatment outcome. Dr Siebel will discuss these options with you including the advantages, disadvantages, side effects, treatment protocols, treatment timing, relative costs, and prognoses.

Side effects

• Speech

Irrespective of the type of orthodontic treatment, your speech will be affected (eg a minor lisp) in the short term while you get used to the orthodontic hardware which has been placed in your mouth.

• Lip discomfort

It’s a good idea to apply some lip balm when you have your braces placed and afterwards if your lips are uncomfortable

• Painful or uncomfortable teeth

Your teeth will be sore and uncomfortable for a few days when the braces are applied and each time they are adjusted or tightened, which is usually around every 6 weeks. It will often take several weeks to get accustomed to wearing braces and then it will feel very normal. At the completion of your orthodontic treatment, it will also feel strange when the braces are removed.

• Food will get stuck

Food and plaque accumulate much more readily around braces so flossing, brushing, water jets and mouthwashes become very important to maintain healthy teeth during orthodontic treatment.  This can be very challenging and time consuming.

• You will look a little different

Your teeth will change position significantly in the first month and then the tooth movement will slow down during the rest of the treatment time. Your lips will also look different as they are slightly pushed out by the braces which are sitting on the outside of your teeth. Sometimes the lips will feel uncomfortable or will be rubbed or abraded so we recommend having some wax to apply on to the braces while you get used to the new lip position.

• Your bite will change

As the teeth move, the way your teeth bite together will also change and this will feel strange in the short term.

Payment Plan

Orthodontic treatment can be a significant expense for many families. At CDG we will always give you a firm and fixed quote for the whole course of the treatment prior to the commencement of the treatment, and you will also be given payment options which include pay-as-you-go, Afterpay®, or Gem Visa®. Our reception staff can give you further information about these payment options.

Make an appointment

To make an appointment with Dr Siebel, just call (03)9386 1805 or book on-line at
www.coburgdentalgroup.com.au