Are you considering correcting your teeth with braces but unsure of how effective it will be? Maybe you’ve heard that certain bite problems can’t be corrected with some braces.

At McMahons Point Dental, we believe in guiding patients on their orthodontic journey with personalised and honest, expert advice. Our experienced dentist, Dr Edwina Toulmin, will talk to you in a one-on-one consultation and recommend the best treatment method for you.

No two patients are exactly the same, meaning a slightly different treatment process will always be required. While clear removable aligners like Invisalign are popular, they won’t always be recommended for more serious orthodontic correction. Similarly, braces alone won’t always give you the results you desire.

Fortunately, the North Sydney team at McMahons Point Health use a range of other tools in conjunction with braces to ensure the best results.

A Look at Different Bite Problems and Orthodontic Treatments

Orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign help to improve the appearance and functionality of your smile. They can be used to improve your self-confidence, give you a straighter smile and provide a range of functional benefits. Some of the alignment problems our North Sydney dentists can correct include:

Overbites (when your top teeth protrude)
Underbites (when your bottom teeth are too far forward)
Malocclusion (when your upper and lower jaw don’t meet properly)
TMJ (a disorder that can develop due to malocclusion)
Protruding teeth
Overcrowding

Some of the dental tools we can use to correct your bite problems include:

Fixed braces – brackets with wires that guide and hold your teeth in place
Clear aligners – a series of removable guards that gently guide your teeth into place
Space Maintainers – used to maintain the jaw position when a tooth is missing, usually for baby teeth
Damon braces – self-ligating braces with less plastic and metal components
Lingual braces – orthodontic braces that are worn behind the teeth for discretion

Other Tools That May Be Used Alongside Braces

Have you been recommended traditional braces in your personalised consultation with Dr Toulmin. These effective orthodontic appliances use metal brackets and wire to guide and hold your teeth in their ideal position. Our orthodontic experts may complement your braces with other tools if you have a more complicated or specific bite.

Elastics

Many people already consider elastics a common part of braces. However, they can be used for very specific situations to improve the effectiveness of your treatment.

Elastics are used to create extra tension and specific pressure. If your dentist needs to isolate one tooth or a set of teeth, they may use elastics to achieve this. Similarly, treatments that span across the top and the bottom jaw often use elastics to help the two work together.

Elastics can be used for your overbite, underbite and much more. Smaller elastic bands are also used in the dental treatment and are available in a range of colours and allergy-friendly options.

Headgear

Orthodontic headgear is the other tool that many patients might think of. While headgear often comes with negative connotations for its obvious design, it is much smaller than it used to be and essential in some circumstances.

Orthodontic headgear is used to better anchor your braces and effectively move your teeth into position. This ensures that as larger problems are corrected, other teeth don’t move out of place. Headgear is ideal for younger patients as it also helps to develop correct facial structure. Headgear is typically worn for a limited time only and for 12 hours a day during this time. While they are not always desirable, the results they provide are undeniable.

In some cases, small screws can be implanted in your jawbone to substitute for headgear. These are called temporary anchorage devices.

Speak to Our North Sydney Dental Specialists

Depending on your circumstances, you may require several or none of these additional tools for your orthodontic treatment. Additionally, treatment options like Invisalign might be perfect for you.

To create a treatment plan based on a personalised diagnosis, talk to Dr Toulmin and the dental specialists at McMahons Point Health. We are your local dentists for Crows Nest, St Leonards and the North Sydney region. Call us today on (02) 9460 1661 or contact us online.