Orthodontic
FAQ's
QUICK ANSWERS TO KEEP YOUR SMILE ON TRACK
All Your Orthodontic Emergency Questions and FAQ's
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Orthodontic Frequently Asked Questions
No, anyone can make an appointment with an orthodontist at any time without a referral from their dentist.
Dentists handle a variety of oral health issues, whereas orthodontists specialise in dentofacial aesthetics, growth, and dental development. Although orthodontists complete the same undergraduate degree in general dentistry as dentists, they undergo an additional three years of training at university to specialise in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities.
Orthodontics is a specialised branch of dentistry dedicated to correcting irregularities in the alignment of teeth and jaws, ultimately enhancing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
This dentistry field involves various techniques to straighten teeth and address misaligned bites, using advanced orthodontic appliances, clear aligners, and retainers. Through careful assessment and tailored treatment plans, orthodontics creates beautiful smiles while promoting optimal oral health and improved jaw function.
Schedule an appointment with either Dr. David Nash or Dr. Linton Nash. As orthodontic specialists, they can evaluate your teeth and explain the best treatment options available to you.
Whether you need metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, or clear aligners, our orthodontists will help you choose the most suitable treatment for your individual needs.
While it's true that you are never too old for orthodontic treatment, some bite issues are most effectively addressed during the active growth phase. Just as it's recommended to have a regular dentist for your child by age 7, it's also beneficial to establish an “orthodontic home” by around age 8. This allows for treatment options that are only available during the growing years. Taking your child to see an orthodontist a little earlier prepares them for the future and helps them feel comfortable with their specialist when the time for intervention arrives.
Problems often become noticeable during the teenage years, so parents typically take their pre-teens for an orthodontic assessment when they are concerned about the appearance of their adult teeth.
We see lots of adults who have spent years feeling unhappy with their smile. When they decide to enhance their smile, we witness the incredible boost in confidence and joy that follows
This depends largely on the complexity of the problem. Factors within your control are the method of treatment, your compliance with caring for your appliance and co operation with aligner or elastic wear. While some people can complete a full course of treatment in six to twelve months, generally orthodontic treatment usually takes between one and two years.
Mouthguards are important to protect teeth, bone and your appliance. To provide good protection a mouthguard must fit well. Your orthodontist will advise regarding the most appropriate type of mouthguard to be worn during orthodontic treatment.
Hard foods: nuts, popcorn, hard candies, hard chocolate, hard biscuits, cookies, or crackers, and corn on the cob
Sticky foods: toffee, caramel, lollies, and chewy candies
Chewy foods: liquorice, fruit leather, and muesli bars
Crunchy foods: pizza crust. crunchy snacks, pretzels, and taco shells
Meat: Meat on the bone (ribs or chicken wings) and well-done steak
Raw vegetables: carrots or celery
Highly acidic and sugary foods and drinks: these contribute to plaque build-up and increased risk of decay
Please call the surgery to make an appointment.
Even if you already have an upcoming appointment, it is best to inform us in advance so we are prepared to repair your broken bracket and your treatment time is not extended.
While aligners or braces straighten teeth, retainers help keep them in position. As we age, all teeth tend to shift. A retainer will help to maintain the alignment of the teeth achieved through orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic wax to cushion anything feeling sharp.
Non-prescription pain relievers to relieve discomfort after adjustments.
Warm saltwater mouthwash to assist with ulcers.
Floss, interdental brushes (eg Piksters) so you can clean between your teeth, as this is where most gum infections begin.
Tweezers and cotton buds to reposition wires.
Small nail clippers or cuticle cutters to trim a protruding archwire if it cannot be pushed back into place.
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What If?
Some mouths are susceptible to ulcers and this can be exacerbated by tissue irritation from braces. While this is not an emergency, ulcers can be very uncomfortable.
If there is a point of irritation, covering that spot with wax can ease the discomfort and allow healing to occur.
A warm salt water mouthwash will provide temporary relief and ensure the ulcer does not become infected (mix one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds). A small amount of topical oral anaesthetic paste (available from pharmacies) applied to the surface with a cotton bud may offer some relief. Orabase (also available from pharmacies) can help ulcers to heal by providing a protective layer.
In the early stages of treatment, the delicate tissues of the cheeks and lips may feel rubbed by the appliances resulting in minor irritation in your mouth. A warm saltwater rinse twice daily can help. Mix one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse for 30 seconds.
If you can identify an area that is rubbing, place orthodontic wax or wet cotton wool over it for temporary relief and to encourage healing. Break off a small piece of orthodontic wax, roll it into a small ball, flatten the ball, dry the area, and press it firmly over the bracket or wire that is causing the discomfort.
During treatment, your teeth will be moving. There may be times when your teeth feel slightly loose - this is expected but can be associated with tenderness. Your teeth are expected to be tender to pressure for a few days after an adjustment, this is a bruised feeling. Avoiding chewing on the teeth is generally all that is needed as the discomfort is temporary and can be eased with paracetamol and a soft diet.
While it’s normal to experience some discomfort during orthodontic treatment as your teeth move, the pain should not be unbearable, nor should it last more than a few days.
Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water and taking non-prescription pain relievers will alleviate most discomfort.
If you think the discomfort is significant please call us so that we can help you.
As the teeth straighten, the end of a wire may work itself out through the last bracket and can irritate the cheek. This is a good indication that the teeth are straightening. 👍
Using a clean cotton bud or clean tweezers, you can try to push the wire so that it sits flat on the tooth and does not scratch. You can place some wax or wet cotton wool on the end of the wire to prevent it from scratching. Sometimes, you may need to use small nail clippers or cuticle trimmers to carefully cut the end of the wire.
It’s best to take some photos and send them to us first in case it's better not to cut the wire. Make sure you let us know about any changes to your wire. If you care able to come in, we can trim the wire or make it feel more comfortable.
Please let us know, and in the meantime, keep the area comfortable with orthodontic wax or wet cotton wool. We will need to replace the archwire, so please call us at 9499 7622, we can organise that appointment for you.
Please let us know, and in the meantime, keep the area comfortable with orthodontic wax or wet cotton wool.
We will need to replace the archwire, so please call us at 9499 7622, we can organise that appointment for you.
Please give us a call at 9499 7622 so we can make a time to replace it for you.
Let us know, and we can figure out the best way to get elastics to you.
Contact the surgery and we can email you an image that will show you where the elastics are to be placed to move your teeth to an ideal occlusion.
Contact the surgery as we will need to make an appointment to take an impression for a new retainer.
If you wear your retainer every night, this won't happen!
However, if you’ve missed some nights, you will need a little extra help to massage the retainer into place. You can apply gentle pressure to the retainer by squeezing your teeth together on a clean eraser. If your teeth haven’t moved too much, you will feel the retainer gradually seat as you coax your teeth back into alignment. Once seated, you MUST wear the retainer full time (24/7 taking it out only to eat and clean) until it can be once again be placed passively...then you can go back to night time only wear.
If you have left your retainer out for a while and this approach does not work we will probably need to make you a new retainer. Call us for an appointment.
We should repair this for you when a convenient appointment is available. Until then it will be best to wear your removable retainer full time.
When you call, let us know which wire has broken. Keep the lower wire if it should come away completely as this has been customised for your nicely aligned teeth - and we want to keep them that way
It is always important to consistently wear your aligners throughout your treatment and to continue wearing your retainers once your treatment is complete. If you need replacement aligners or advice about moving forward, please contact us so we can help you as soon as possible.
The arm may separate if the mouth is opened too wide and the device is extended beyond its full stretch. Avoiding excessive opening will help prevent this. If over-extended, the arm will separate into upper and lower sections. It can be reassembled by opening wide and repositioning the sections so that the lower section fits into the expanding upper section. Then, you need to be careful not to over-extend again.
When we see you we can replace the arm with one that hasn’t been stretched, or if you have concerns, you can call us to make a time 9499 7622.
If the brackets become loose please give us a call at 9499 7622. If the bracket is still attached to the wire, leave it in place. If it is uncomfortable, try covering the bracket with some wax.
Keep the bracket if it comes off completely, and bring it to your next appointment. Although repairing the bracket is advisable, it is not an emergency. It is best not to use elastics with a broken bracket.
We routinely place two bite turbos since they can fracture under biting and grinding pressure. If one breaks, the other will continue to function to open the bite. If both are broken, it is best to replace them when you can come in.
Let us know by calling 9499 7622.
Try placing the wire back into the tube using tweezers. If you can’t thread it back through the last molar tube, either tuck the wire out of the way under the tube or use some wax or wet cotton wool on the wire for comfort.
Call us at 9499 7622 to arrange a time to fix it .
It is always important to consistently wear your appliances during treatment. Please inform us so that we can arrange for the replacement or repair of your appliance.