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Types of Orthodontic Appliances

Invisalign

 Orthodontic treatment using Invisalign is an almost invisible alternative to  braces. A series of very thin, clear “mouthguard-like” aligners are used in  sequence at two-weekly intervals to incrementally move teeth to the desired  position. The aligners are worn full-time, day and night, except when eating  and are suitable for treatment of a wide variety of orthodontic problems.  Using Invisalign 3-D computer imaging technology, we can customise your treatment on-line, demonstrate specific tooth movements expected during treatment and accurately predict your treatment result.

At Smile Design Orthodontics we have extensive experience using Invisalign since its inception and maintain active involvement in ongoing advancement of the technique through the Invisalign Future Elite program and the Invisalign Asia Pacific Forum. We can extend the application of Invisalign practice to include more complicated treatments by combining Invisalign with other orthodontic techniques such as sectional (partial) braces and temporary implant anchorage (TADs).

Metal Braces

 Metal braces consist of small metal brackets that are directly  bonded to the teeth, in conjunction with an archwire that connects  all the brackets. Brackets can be either “twin” brackets requiring  coloured, silver or clear elastic modules for archwire attachment, or  “self-ligating” brackets. Although brackets of either style might look  the same, each bracket is individually designed for a particular tooth  with specific design features, or prescription, for that tooth.

The archwires we use at Smile Design Orthodontics are made of latest technology alloys with properties that make orthodontic treatment as comfortable. The brackets we use are also latest technology and design including the option of titanium brackets for patients with metal sensitivities (usually nickel in stainless steel).

Self Ligating Braces

 The technology of braces has been evolving, particularly over the past  decade and arguably the state of the art self-ligating orthodontic appliance is  the Damon System. This technique has the advantages of efficient, friction  free orthodontic tooth movement, extended appointment intervals that  reduce the frequency of orthodontic adjustments, and development of the  dental arches compatible with facial anatomy to produce beautiful, broad smiles.

At Smile Design Orthodontics we offer the option of Damon braces, including the tooth-coloured Damon Clear braces. Not only is this technique a feature within our practice, we teach the technique to post-graduate orthodontic students in the doctoral orthodontic program at Sydney University.

Clear Braces

 Clear or tooth coloured braces can be used for upper teeth that are usually  more obvious when talking and smiling. At Smile Design Orthodontics our  patients have the option of clear braces of either Twin Bracket or Self-  ligating design and also the option of clear braces on lower front teeth.

 

 

Lingual Braces

 For patients who need braces to resolve their orthodontic  problem but  want the braces to be completely “invisible”. At  Smile Design  Orthodontics we can offer the option of lingual  braces that are fitted to  the inside or lingual surface of the teeth.  We use the Harmony  system  lingual braces that are custom  made for accurate fit and  placement onto  every tooth and are self-ligating style braces for  efficient tooth movement to ensure optimum treatment results in minimum treatment time.

Orthopedic Appliances

 At Smile Design orthodontics we treatment plan to ensure that facial  aesthetics, harmony and balance are maintained or enhanced as an  important treatment priority as well as straight teeth and a beautiful  smile. We carefully assess the entire face and profile in our treatment  planning process and projected treatment outcome. The airway and even allergies and sleep patterns are important treatment planning considerations that can require management.
These treatment goals can in most cases be achieved by orthodontic or tooth movement. In some cases however, jaw growth or co-ordination is modified with the use of orthopedic appliances that are used in conjunction with braces. The orthopedic appliances we use at Smile Design Orthodontics are custom designed and made for comfort and normal function (smiling, speaking, chewing) during treatment.
By taking into consideration the entire face and airway, not just the mouth, we can include orthopedic appliances when indicated to correct jaw and bite discrepancies rather than adapt the position of the teeth to a pre-treatment discrepancy.

Removable Appliances

 Removable appliances, sometimes referred to as “plates”, usually consist  of a plastic or acrylic framework supporting a variety of wires that can be  active to move teeth or passive to hold the appliance in place. The acrylic  “plate” can also support auxiliaries such as expansion screws to widen the  dental arch or springs to move specific teeth. Removable appliances can’t  substitute for braces but can be used for simple tooth movements, sometimes as a preliminary measure prior to more comprehensive treatment when all permanent teeth have erupted. Plates can also serve as retainers which are worn at night on completion of comprehensive orthodontic treatment to maintain the treatment result.

Space Maintainers

 Space Maintainers are used to preserve or maintain space in the dental  arch for later eruption of permanent teeth. The most common indication  for a space maintainer is following premature loss of a deciduous (baby)  tooth usually due to decay or partial impaction of a permanent molar.  Space maintainers are passive appliances, fixed to one or two stable teeth  and generally removed when the intended permanent tooth or teeth  erupt into the arch.

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Crowding

Crowding is a common orthodontic problem that compromises appearance, confidence and oral health. Difficulty cleaning crowded teeth can lead to gum disease (periodontal disease), resulting in gum recession, reduced bone support of the teeth and loss of teeth.

 

 

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Protudeed Theeth BeforeBefore Protudeed Theeth AfterAfter

Protruded Teeth

Protruded teeth (excessive overjet) are vulnerable to trauma and often associated with excessive gum display when smiling and talking. Speech is usually adversely affected and protrusion will also prevent the lips resting together, resulting in habitual mouth breathing, snoring and restless sleep.

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Anterior Crossbite Before TreatmentBefore Anterior Crossbite After TreatmentAfter

Anterior Cross Bite

Normally the upper teeth bite closely against the outer surface of the corresponding lower teeth. Anterior cross bite is where the upper front teeth bite inside the lower front teeth which can result in worn teeth and gum recession if in close contact, or loss of chewing function, compromised appearance and speech problems if there is a gap with the lower front teeth forward of the upper teeth.

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Cross Bite

The side and back teeth (premolars and molars) can also be in cross bite affecting only one side, often associated with deviation of the lower jaw when biting together, or affecting both sides. These cross bites are usually due to a narrow upper jaw, sometimes associated with compromised nasal breathing, snoring and sleep apnoea.

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Open Bite

An open bite is where some teeth don’t contact when unaffected teeth are biting together. Most open bite problems affect the front teeth and can be due to simple causes such as finger or thumb sucking habits, or more complex causes such as habitual mouth breathing due to nasal airway/allergy problems resulting in vertical (downward) lower jaw growth. Open bite affecting the side teeth can be due to abnormal tongue posture and function or ankylosed teeth (teeth fused to supporting bone).

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Deep Bite Before TreatmentBefore Deep Bite After TreatmentAfter

Deep Bite

A deep over bite is where there is too much overlap of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth when biting together. A deep bite will cause excessive wear of the front teeth and can result in palatal impingement of the lower front teeth where they bite into the gum behind the upper front teeth. Deep bites can also result in jaw joint (TMJ) problems such as muscle pain, TMJ pain, headaches, clicking and locking.

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Missing Teeth

Teeth are sometimes missing from birth (congenitally missing) or lost because of gum disease or decay. With orthodontic treatment we can either close space where teeth are missing, sometimes with the assistance of TADs (temporary implant anchorage), or alternatively, space can be co-ordinated for replacement teeth, usually involving dental implants.

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Cleft Palate Patients

We have extensive experience treating cleft palate patients including early orthodontic treatment prior to bone graft surgery.

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Surgery/Orthodontic treatment

Some bite discrepancies are due to an imbalance between upper and lower jaw development or position, particularly severe overjet, open bite and cross bite, that can’t be satisfactorily corrected by orthodontic treatment alone. For these more severe malocclusions we co-ordinate orthodontic treatment with orthognathic (jaw) surgery in conjunction with our Maxillo-Facial Surgery colleagues.

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Before

After

Crowding

Crowding is a common orthodontic problem that compromises appearance, confidence and oral health. Difficulty cleaning crowded teeth can lead to gum disease (periodontal disease), resulting in gum recession, reduced bone support of the teeth and loss of teeth.

 

 

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