Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Braces/Clear Aligners

At Markham Street Dental, we treat patients of all ages, and we offer orthodontics for adults!

Many patients are not happy with their smiles. Typically, this means crooked or overlapping teeth. Fortunately, we offer orthodontic therapy that takes care of these issues and more.

Your dentist in Armidale, NSW offers braces to help correct the following:

• Misaligned bite
• Crooked, twisted and overlapping teeth
• Gappy smile

Gaps or uneven spacing between teeth

Most of the patients we see with these issues are good candidates for braces, but our dentist provides an evaluation to be sure. This initial appointment also decides the length of treatment, which is always based on your unique case. Additionally, your dentist answers all of your questions and helps you determine whether braces are the best option.

Our braces rely on brackets and wires to guide your teeth into straight positions across the treatment timeline. Periodically, you visit our dental clinic for adjustments, and so your dentist in Armidale can make sure your teeth are lining up on schedule.

At the end of therapy, your dentist provides a custom retainer to keep your teeth in alignment.

Contact Our Dental Clinic for Braces in Armidale, NSW

We are excited to assist you on your journey to achieving the smile you've always wanted. If you're ready to take the next step, we encourage you to reach out to a friendly team member. Our dentist near me in Armidale is here to help guide you through the process.

The series of invisible aligners work by straightening teeth over time. Each set of aligners is worn for
a specified amount of time as instructed by your treating dentist. You will progressively change your
aligners until treatment is finished and teeth are straight.

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile, we offer dental braces in Armidale, NSW. Braces may correct many cosmetic issues, but straight teeth are also easier to care for and can mean fewer cavities.

When your bite is aligned, and your teeth aren’t crooked or overlapping, there are fewer places for bacteria to collect and erode your enamel, which means better oral health now and in the future.

Our Dental Team Will Help You Based On Your Smile Goals

As far as the length of treatment, this varies based on your needs. For mild issues, you may spend only six months to a year in braces. For more severe cases, orthodontic therapy can last for up to two years. Your dentist provides a timeline before treatment, so you know what to expect.

Throughout therapy, you’ll come in every few weeks to have your wires adjusted, and so your Armidale dentist can assess your smile to see if treatment is on track.

At Markham Street Dental, we want to help you reach your smile goals, and orthodontics is a great way to bring your teeth inline and enhance your oral health.

Are You Ready to Start Your Smile Journey?

We encourage you to contact our dentist near me 2350 to schedule your initial consultation if you’re considering orthodontics. Our experienced orthodontist in Armidale will provide personalized care to help you achieve your desired smile with braces Armidale.

Clear Aligners are a series of transparent mouth guards designed to progressively straighten your
teeth into their ideal position. They are comfortable and completely invisible, so you don’t have to
change your lifestyle.

Orthodontic treatment for patients with severe crowding or spacing issues requires careful planning and consideration. Here are the key factors dentists and orthodontists evaluate:

Comprehensive Evaluation

A thorough evaluation, including dental impressions, x-rays and photographs, is essential. This helps us understand the extent of the crowding or spacing and the overall health of the teeth and jaw.

Treatment Options

Various treatment options are considered based on the severity of the issue. In extreme cases, these may include traditional braces, clear aligners or even surgical interventions.

Space Management

For severe crowding, creating space is crucial. This might involve tooth extractions, shaping teeth or using expanders to widen the jaw.

Duration of Treatment

Patients should be prepared for a commitment extending over several years, with regular adjustments and check-ups.

Patient Compliance

Patients must follow the orthodontist’s instructions closely, including wearing appliances as directed and maintaining proper oral hygiene.

Post-Treatment Retention

Once the active treatment phase is complete, maintaining the results is essential. Retainers are usually prescribed to prevent teeth from returning to their original positions. 

Aesthetic and Functional Goals

The ultimate goal of orthodontic treatment is to ensure the teeth are straight and the bite is properly aligned for optimal function and long-term health.

Markham Street Dental is eager to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Our orthodontist in Armidale is dedicated to providing top-quality care. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our dentist near me 2350 at (02) 6772 6554. We look forward to your call!

During your consultation, we will find about your smile goals, if you are a candidate for clear

aligners, then we will check your teeth, take some relevant x-rays, photos,

and 3D model of your teeth. Then, using state-of-the-art treatment planning software, movement of

each tooth is calculated and ultimately your custom aligners are made.

The terms ‘dental’ and ‘orthodontic’ are often used together, but they refer to different areas of oral care. Understanding the difference can help you know who to see and when.

Dentists provide general oral care, including treating cavities, gum disease and performing routine check-ups and cleanings. They’re your go-to for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and for addressing common issues like tooth decay, infections and early signs of oral disease.

Orthodontists, on the other hand, are specialists within the field of dentistry. They focus on straightening teeth and correcting bite problems using braces, clear aligners and other orthodontic appliances. If your teeth are crowded, misaligned or you have an overbite or underbite, an orthodontist is the professional who can help.

In simple terms: all orthodontists are dentists, but not all dentists are orthodontists. Your dentist looks after your overall oral health, while your orthodontist helps guide your teeth and jaw into proper alignment.

Need Orthodontic Treatment in Armidale, NSW?

Unsure whether you need a general dental visit or something more specialised? Your Armidale dentist can always refer you for an orthodontic consultation to determine the best path forward. 

We invite you to give us a call at (02) 6772 6554 or book online!

Dental braces in Armidale, NSW are designed to straighten teeth and improve a misaligned bite. Generally, we can evaluate children for braces at around age seven, but this may be too early to consider braces in some cases. However, our Armidale, NSW dentist pays close attention to the way your child’s teeth come in, and age seven is a good time to start phase I orthodontics.

Phase I orthodontics, or the pre-braces phase, may call for orthodontic expanders. A palatal expander widens the upper jaw to help teeth line up from top to bottom, and it is often a precursor to phase II orthodontics or traditional braces.

Braces may come into play shortly after phase I orthodontics.

Learn More About Braces in Armidale

Braces in Armidale are designed to correct the following issues and guide teeth to their optimal positions:

• Crooked teeth
• Twisted teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite

In addition to providing your child with a more attractive smile, braces may help with cavities and erosion because straight teeth are easier to brush and floss. Additionally, an aligned bite generally saves wear on enamel. We offer tooth-coloured and metal braces in Armidale. 

Markham Street Dental Can't Wait To Meet You

Ultimately, an evaluation on a dentist near me 2350 is essential to determine whether braces are the best option for your child and to identify the appropriate age to begin treatment. Our orthodontist in Armidale looks forward to meeting your family and guiding you through the process.

You should wear your aligners both during the day and at bedtime for a minimum of 22 hours a day.

You should only take your aligners out when you eat, drink, and while brushing your teeth.

Depending on the severity, teeth that are crooked can present with the following: can be hard to clean and floss, this then leads to tartar built up which in the long term can cause gum infection and damage. Teeth which are in good alignment are easier to clean and floss. Insufficient cleaning can cause tooth decay and gum disease.

What Problems Can Crooked Teeth Cause?

Some crooked teeth can present with bite problems that can cause speech and chewing difficulties, damaging to the gums, and damaging wear patterns. Straightening crooked teeth not only align them but resolve other problems that one may not be aware of them.

Have Further Questions? We Welcome Your Call

Could you benefit from a braces consultation? Our orthodontist in Armidale at Markham Street Dental is here to assist you. We welcome your questions and are eager to discuss our range of dental services. If you’re searching for a dentist near me, we look forward to hearing from you!