Ortho – what? Our guide to braces and neuromuscular orthodontics

Having misaligned teeth or a bad bite can sometimes make you feel a little self-conscious and may even lead to future health problems.

It can seem like a bit of an annoying experience to go through, but if your dentist has suggested you get braces to solve your alignment problems, it’s important to consider your options. Here at Advanced Dental Care Clinic located in Oxenford, Gold Coast, we pride ourselves on our treatment plans and want to make sure all our patients are aware of how we can help you understand your orthodontic options.

Bear in mind that although braces can be thought of as slightly inconvenient, they are only temporary and they can give a life-time of happy smiles! You may also find you’ll benefit from neuromuscular orthodontics which can be a great preventative or pre-braces treatment. If you are curious about braces and want to understand the facts about the treatments, read ahead and see how we can help you achieve a flawless smile.

Neuromuscular Orthodontics

If your bite is out of line from where the muscles naturally want to go, it can leave the muscles feeling strained and tired. By measuring the function of the muscles compared to the position of the jaw and how it moves, we are able to help relieve stress on the area.

Neuromuscular orthodontics determines how the muscles, jaw joints and teeth are affecting each other. When your teeth interlock properly, the jaw joints and muscles are relaxed and support the jawbone so teeth won’t suffer from further trauma.

A lot of the time, this kind of treatment is used before braces to pinpoint the jaw positioning and assess if any treatment is necessary to correct orthodontic issues accurately.

Traditional Braces

We have all probably noticed a set of metal braces on someone before, but what are they? Traditional braces are made up of metal brackets and wires that connect to the front of the teeth and help the teeth shift into the correct position.

Today’s metal braces are far less bulky than past versions and are bonded with an adhesive to the teeth. Once they’re in place, they will need to be tightened regularly, according the amount of movement needed.

Ceramic Braces

Patients often think of metal braces as the only choice, but there are a couple of other options. Here at Advanced Dental Care Clinic we offer ceramic braces for those patients that want the straightening without the unwanted metal bling.

Modern technology has allowed for the creation of braces that are virtually clear. Ceramic braces are a lot less noticeable and are suitable for most of the orthodontic issues that may need addressing. It’s important to consider that the ceramic braces can sometimes stain, so make sure when you book your consultation with us that you voice any concerns you have and we will make sure any questions are answered during the decision making process.

Understanding the treatment in 3 easy steps

To ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible before the procedure, we would like to walk you through the process so we can clear away any nervous concerns our patients may be experiencing.

#1 – aligning your pearly whites

The first thing noticeable when you get braces is that your teeth start to line-up pretty quickly! The initial stage takes care of most of the visible changes within the first 6 months as the wires are adjusted to gently nudge your teeth into their correct home.

#2 – securing gaps and amending the bite

For the next 6-9 months the focus moves to correcting the bite and ensuring the treatment will provide long lasting results.

#3 – adding the finishing touches…

Our orthodontic specialist will focus on each individual tooth’s position and ensure they are exactly where they should be. This could include a few adjustments but it should be finished within 3-6 months.

Keeping it straight for the long term

One of the most important stages for the treatment process is making sure your results are maintained. When the braces are removed, the patient will need a plastic, clear retainer to wear to bed for a minimum of 12 months. There’s also the option the get a fixed retainer which is hidden behind the front teeth to hold the teeth in place.

To find out more about our orthodontic options, book a consultation with us at Advanced Dental Care Clinic located in Oxenford on the Gold Coast and find out how we can help nurture your teeth into the perfect smile. To find out more about our orthodontic options, book a consultation with us at Advanced Dental Care Clinic located in Oxenford on the Gold Coast and find out how we can help nurture your teeth into the perfect smile.

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