Why do teeth move?

Teeth are not fixed in bone like nails in wood; they sit in a flexible ligament. After treatment, your teeth have a “memory” and want to drift back to their old, crooked positions. This is called relapse.

Your Retention Options

At The Orthodontic Centre, we provide several ways to keep your smile straight:

1. Fixed Retainers: A tiny, discreet wire bonded to the back of your front teeth. You’ll forget it’s even there!
2. Clear Retainers: Similar to an Angel Aligner, these are worn at night to “lock” your teeth in place while you sleep.

The Lifetime Guarantee

Wearing your retainer as directed is the only way to ensure your investment lasts a lifetime. If you lose or break your retainer, it is vital to contact us immediately before any movement occurs.

Whether you have a congenitally missing tooth or lost one due to an accident, we can help.

Option A: Closing the Space

In some cases, we can use braces or clear aligners to gently move your existing teeth to fill the gap. This can eliminate the need for a fake tooth or implant entirely, using your own natural teeth to create a complete smile.

Option B: Creating the Perfect Space

If a gap is too large to close, the surrounding teeth often tilt into the empty space, making it impossible for a dentist to fit an implant. We use orthodontics to “upright” those teeth, creating the perfect, stable space for your dentist to place a high-quality implant or bridge.

A Collaborative Approach

We work closely with your general dentist in Glen Waverley to ensure your treatment plan considers your long-term dental health and tooth replacement needs.

The “Pressure” Factor

It is important to know that getting braces put on doesn’t hurt at all. There are no needles and no drilling. You will feel a sensation of “tightness” or pressure for the first 3–5 days as your teeth begin their journey.

Our Comfort-First Approach

• Low-Profile Brackets: We use modern, smaller brackets that cause less irritation to your cheeks.
• Smart Wires: Our high-tech wires are activated by your body heat to move teeth with gentle, consistent force rather than sharp tugs.
• Angel Aligner Comfort: If you choose clear aligners, the edges are laser-cut to follow your gum line, preventing “scratchiness.”

First Week Survival Tips

To help you adjust, we recommend sticking to soft foods like yogurt, pasta, and smoothies for the first few days. Over-the-counter pain relief and the orthodontic wax we provide will handle any minor discomfort.

The answer depends entirely on your specific dental “starting point.”

The Speed of Angel Aligner

For many patients, Angel Aligner can actually be faster than braces. Because these aligners use masterControl dual-material technology, they can apply precise, constant pressure that moves teeth efficiently. For minor to moderate crowding, you might see significant results in as little as 6 to 9 months.

What Determines the Price?

1. Treatment Duration: Shorter “Express” treatments for minor crowding are generally more affordable than comprehensive corrections.
   
2. Appliance Type: Modern clear aligners or ceramic braces may differ in cost compared to traditional metal brackets.
3. Complexity: Correcting bite issues or impacted teeth requires more specialist time and precise engineering.

The good news? “Revisional” treatment is often much faster and more discreet than your first round of braces.

• Clear Aligners: Perfect for correcting minor relapses.
• Permanent Retainers: We can install a discreet wire behind your teeth to ensure your results last a lifetime this time around.

Don’t let your previous investment go to waste. We can help you get back to the smile you remember.

Our Top Tips:

• The 45-Degree Angle: Angle your brush to clean both above and below the wire.
• Interdental Brushes: Use these “little trees” to get behind the wire where a normal brush can’t reach.
• Rinse After Eating: If you can’t brush after lunch, rinse vigorously with water.

At your appointments in Glen Waverley, we take the time to show you exactly how to care for your specific appliance.

At age 7, the adult molars have usually erupted, allowing us to see how the bite is forming. While most children won’t need braces yet, “Phase 1” treatment can:

• Guide jaw growth.
• Make room for permanent teeth.
• Prevent the need for tooth extractions or surgery later in life.

Early intervention is often the most gentle and effective way to ensure a healthy adult smile.