Orthodontic dental treatment is an investment in your time and (potentially) finances. You’ve decided on treatment for yourself or your child, but want the results to last.
Some adult patients underwent orthodontic treatment in childhood, but they skipped the retention phase, and their teeth relapsed into their previous positions.
This is why the retention phase of orthodontics is so vital. It protects your investment by protecting your newly aligned smile. Retention is crucial, no matter the orthodontic method used.
We want you to enjoy your aligned smile for life!
In our dental clinic, we offer
- Metal Braces
- Tooth-Coloured Braces
- Invisalign® Clear Aligners
We also closely monitor your child’s oral development in case they require interceptive orthodontic care, such as space maintainers when baby teeth are lost prematurely or palatal expanders for narrow jaws. These interceptive measures may mean less time in braces later or eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment altogether. Our Family dentist in Narrabeen ensures your child receives personalised and preventive care for a healthy, confident smile.
This blog concentrates on orthodontic retention, but it also explores:
- Orthodontic Options with Your Dentist in Northern Beaches
- Candidacy for Treatment with an Orthodontic Dentist
- Orthodontic Dental Treatment: Costs and Considerations
- Questions to Ask Your Northern Beaches Dentist
- Emergency Dental Services and Preventing Dental Emergencies During Treatment
- Northern Beaches Dental Care: Why Trust Your Orthodontics to Our Narrabeen Dentist
- Promoting Predictable Results and Retaining Your New Smile
- Your Smile Journey Starts Here: Are You Ready to Contact Our Narrabeen Dental Clinic?
Orthodontic Options with Your Dentist in Northern Beaches
You may have heard about the options we offer, but your dentist in Northern Beaches wants to break them down for you, so you have an educated understanding of the various choices.
Metal and tooth-coloured braces may be a better option for severe or complex orthodontic issues. However, they come with eating restrictions, and you cannot remove them to clean your teeth. You must work around the wires to maintain your oral hygiene.
- Metal Braces: Metal braces, often referred to as traditional braces, consist of metal brackets that are fixed to the teeth. We thread these brackets with wires and adjust them periodically to bring your teeth into position gently.
- Tooth-Coloured Braces: Tooth-coloured braces are similar to traditional braces but offer a subtler aesthetic. In other words, the brackets and wires blend more easily with your teeth and don’t draw as much attention to treatment.
- Invisalign® Clear Aligners: Invisalign is an orthodontic system that relies on clear plastic aligners to guide your teeth into position discreetly. This system is popular with teens and busy adults.
Candidacy for Treatment with an Orthodontic Dentist
Your initial consultation helps determine whether orthodontic treatment is suitable for your specific needs and goals. It also helps determine which options may be better suited to your needs.
Our orthodontic dentist examines your teeth, discusses the options, and helps you make an informed choice.
Sometimes, you may require pretreatments, such as extraction, to prevent overcrowding after orthodontic treatment.
Orthodontic Dental Treatment: Costs and Considerations
Orthodontic costs vary based on your benefits schedule, the complexity of your case, and whether you’ll require pretreatments before braces or Invisalign. Your Northern Beaches dentist or a team member lays out the costs following your consultation. This initial visit provides us with the necessary information to determine your financial obligation.
We also offer periodic packages and specials to help mitigate some of the costs associated with our services. Ask a team member for details.
Questions to Ask Your Northern Beaches Dentist
We wanted to answer most of the questions we hear in this blog, but as a rule, the best questions to ask include:
- Which orthodontic option is best for me or my child?
- How long will me or my child need treatment?
- How do I retain the orthodontic results?
- How much will treatment cost?
- Can I incorporate orthodontics into a smile makeover?
We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have.
Emergency Dental Services and Preventing Dental Emergencies During Treatment
Dental emergencies are never fun, but they can be especially burdensome if you’re in the midst of orthodontic treatment.
We offer emergency dental services for our patients, including:
- Root Canal Treatment
- Tooth Extractions
- Restorative Dentistry
However, it’s best to avoid these emergencies, especially during your orthodontic treatment.
Be sure to brush and floss, and continue visiting our dental clinic for checks and cleans. If you have concerns or notice any changes in your oral health, please let us know right away. Also, call us if you break a wire or lose your aligner!
Northern Beaches Dental Care: Why Trust Your Orthodontics to Our Narrabeen Dentist
Dr Karan S Baran is a compassionate and skilled dentist who stays current on the latest innovations in dentistry. He has also studied here and abroad, earning accolades and qualifications in advanced dental treatments, including dental implant dentistry, All-on-4, Invisalign, and orthodontics. He cares about our patients and their goals, providing Northern Beaches with the dental care they want and need.
Promoting Predictable Results and Retaining Your New Smile
To ensure a predictable result, be sure to wear your aligners according to your dentist’s schedule and never skip appointments for guidewire adjustments if you have braces.
As far as retention, this part is straightforward…
You have finally arrived at the retention phase of orthodontics. You’ve worn your aligners as directed and exhausted your supply, or the braces have just come off. You look in the mirror and fall in love with your new smile.
Now is the time to retain that smile through the retention phase of orthodontics.
At this phase, your dentist provides a custom retainer. You wear this retainer according to your dentist’s instructions to guard against orthodontic relapse. You also want to maintain excellent oral hygiene and regular dental care. Issues like tooth loss, oral infections, and gum disease can significantly impact your results, so consulting a Dental implant specialist Warriewood can help you restore missing teeth and maintain long-term oral health.
Your Smile Journey Starts Here: Are You Ready to Contact Our Narrabeen Dental Clinic?
Your Narrabeen dentist is happy to book a comprehensive consultation with you to discuss your orthodontic options. If you’re ready to get started or if you have questions for our friendly dental team, you can call us on 02 8076 0362 or reach out to us online.
We are always thrilled to hear from you!