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Why Choose Us
Helping Our Community

At Smile Design Orthodontics we are committed to supporting community programs that benefit the under-privileged, encourage health and fitness through sporting activity, and expand the boundaries of the orthodontic profession through teaching and research. We consider it a privilege and obligation to maintain our contributions to the profession and the community that so generously support us.

Teaching

Dr Michael Dineen and Dr Chrys Antoniou have for many years supported the post-graduate orthodontic Masters Degree and Doctorate Degree at Sydney University by being appointed to lecture and tutor on a part-time basis. This commitment to teaching dentists, who are in the three year full-time program to qualify and register as orthodontists, contributes to ensure that orthodontic services to the community are provided by well trained, fully qualified professionals.


Sponsorships

Each year Smile Design Orthodontics will provide financial support to assist junior sporting teams with operating costs for a season. We are proud to have our name associated with sports that encourage fitness, develop behavioural as well as athletic skills and foster community spirit.

We also acknowledge the significance of education and cultural development within our community. Through our affiliated Dubbo practice, Dubbo Orthodontic Centre, we sponsor the Dubbo Cultural Centre which is an outstanding regional art gallery, hosting significant local and national art exhibitions, and museum, which is a time-capsule of our rich outback history and culture. We recognise educational endeavours by sponsoring prizes at school speech nights for schools in Dubbo and further west.


Give a Smile Program

Since its inception, we have supported the “Give A Smile” project which is a public service initiative of the Australian Society of Orthodontists to provide a full course of orthodontic treatment to children for whom orthodontic treatment would not otherwise be available due to financial constraints. As founding participants in “Give A Smile”, both Dr Dineen and Dr Antoniou each commence a full two year course of orthodontic treatment for an eligible child every year, with treatment provided on a pro-bono basis.

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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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Before After

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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Before After

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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Before After

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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Before After

Cleft Palate Patients

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

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Before After

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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