Withers Dental offers you the very best in adult and children’s orthodontic treatments, including braces and clear aligners such as Invisalign and Spark. Quality care, flexible appointments and comfortable surroundings are all part of the experience.
Orthodontics has come a long way in recent years, and we are constantly assessing the latest trends and technologies to make sure our patients have access to the most effective and convenient solutions. The goal is not only to create straight, well-aligned teeth but to improve and maintain the facial profile throughout adolescence and adulthood as well as improve functionality.
Trust us with your best asset – your smile. With world class training and experience, we have your best interests at heart.
Damon Braces straighten crooked teeth, align the upper and lower jaws, improve the aesthetics of smiles and faces and relieve pressure on joints. Tooth alignment can help alleviate or prevent problems such as decay, gum disease, bone destruction and tooth loss.
Withers Dental proudly uses InsigniaTM by Ormco which combines the efficiency of digital smile design with the precision of patient-specific appliances.
InsigniaTM braces are highly technical pieces of engineering featuring heat-activated nickel-titanium wires individually fabricated for each patient. The special wires, which are made from stainless steel or a more aesthetic ceramic material, are inserted into orthodontic brackets. The wires interact with the brackets to move teeth into the desired positions. Additional components, including removable appliances (plates), head gear and expansion appliances, may also be used to move teeth and the jawbone. Braces have the ability to achieve far more difficult and technical movements compared to clear aligners.
What to expect when first wearing braces:
You may experience some tenderness for a few days after your braces are fitted. Any discomfort is usually resolved with non-prescription pain medication. We recommend paracetamol, but advise patients not to exceed the recommended dosage.
The lips, cheeks and tongue may also feel irritated by the braces, however they will become accustomed to the bumpy surface of the brackets. Any discomfort can be reduced by using Ortho Wax which is placed on the brackets to create a smooth surface for any irritated areas. We will show you all the tricks and tips to keeping your braces clean and tidy during treatment also!
Brackets are designed to be easily removed to prevent damage to the teeth when the treatment is completed. The design makes them fragile, so we urge patients to take care to avoid breakages. If a breakage does happen, it may prolong your treatment and incur additional charges.
Things to avoid with braces:
Chewy and sticky foods such as caramels, chewy candy, gums, tough meats, etc.
Hard foods including raw vegetables, apples, nuts, hard candy and breads, etc.
Crunchy foods such as caramel popcorn, popcorn kernels, seeds, ice, etc.
Biting on hard items including pens, fingernails, etc.
*We always encourage eating healthy so if you want to eat raw vegetables or hard fruit, please cut them into smaller bite size pieces.
Oral hygiene with braces:
People with braces find that food and sugary drinks persist in the mouth much longer than those without them. If food debris trapped around the brackets and wire is not cleaned, it will promote rapid growth in bacterial plaque which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
To avoid these issues, clean your teeth thoroughly after each meal. It is a good idea to always carry a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste and dental floss with you. If you cannot clean your teeth after a meal or sugary drink, we recommend vigorously rinsing your mouth with water until you have the chance to brush.
We strongly recommend you continue your six-monthly active maintenance appointments during your orthodontic treatment to maintain excellent oral health.
What to do if a bracket falls off:
If you happen to break a bracket, try to keep hold of it and call us to make an appointment as soon as possible. Leaving it too long to fix may prolong your treatment. We ask that you bring the bracket to your appointment so it can be re-cemented, and the wire inserted.
Sports and activities with braces on:
We recommend you wear a protective mouthguard if you play contact sport during your treatment. In the case of an accident involving your face, please immediately check your mouth for any damage to your teeth or braces. If either is damaged, please make an appointment with us as soon as possible.
How long you will need to wear braces depends on the difficulty of movements required to achieve your desired smile, but it is generally between six months and three years.
At your initial Orthodontic consultation, we will take your 3D iTero simulation scan, dental photographs (all no charge/rebate only) and also a set of x-rays (this will be a charge). The x-rays required are either a Conebeam or OPG, along with a Lat Ceph, these are required so our doctors can analyse your personal records and develop a personlised Analysis Report and quotation for you. Generally, the analysis of your records takes around one to two weeks. You will be required to return to see your doctor who will carefully explain your personlised analysis report and provide you with a detailed quotation and treatment outcome.
Once your treatment has been decided, Dr Andrew will liaise with the InsigniaTM team and use cutting edge software to create a virtual simulation of your smile outcome. The braces are then manufactured and sent to us ready for your treatment.
We use special bonding and cementing techniques to carefully place the brackets on each tooth. The special heat-activated nickel-titanium wire is positioned into each bracket and trimmed. You will experience some tenderness in the first few days, but we will give you a few tips to manage it.
You may need to see Dr Andrew every six – eight weeks for reviews and adjustments until your smile journey is completed. Your regular adjustments are flexible, and we can work in with your schedule to ensure your journey is smooth.
How amazing, you have finished your orthodontic journey but what happens now!?
Retention of your new smile is so important, as your teeth will naturally want to move back to their original positioning over time and that’s the last thing you want! This is why we include a retention package for all our patients in order to give them the best tools we can and assist them in maintaining their newly aligned teeth for many years to come.
After your orthodontic treatment, we will remove all attachments and brackets, as well as clean any excess glue. At this appointment you will receive a set of bonded retainers which are placed behind your upper and lower front teeth to ensure they remain in their ideal position. You will also receive a set of clear night-time retainers, which we recommend continuing to wear for every night to come. If you have any breakages with your bonded or clear retainers, please call our reception team and organise an appointment to have these repaired or replaced.
All forms of medical and dental treatments, including orthodontics, carry potential risks and limitations. Fortunately, these complications are infrequent in orthodontics and tend to be of minor consequence. Your doctor will inform you have any potential risks or complications before proceeding with any treatment.
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