Diagnosis/Treatment Planning

If it is determined that orthodontic treatment is necessary straight away, a detailed diagnosis is established via analysis of clinical measurements, dental casts, radiographs (X-rays) and photographs of the teeth and face. The primary problems and concerns are then identified and a detailed treatment proposal is formulated and discussed with you. In some cases there may be more than one treatment option each with specific pros and cons. We will always recommend the most ideal treatment option that provides the best possible treatment outcome in the shortest period of time.

Orthodontic Radiograph	Dental Casts (Study Models)

Early Orthodontic Treatment (Interceptive Orthodontics)

Early examination of the teeth and jaws in younger children (ages 7-12 yrs) allows us to detect and evaluate problems and plan the best timing for treatment. In some young patients with specific problems, early treatment may prevent orthodontic problems from worsening. It may also result in shorter and less complicated management if braces are required at a later age. Early orthodontic treatment may involve the use of removable plates, arch expansion devices, functional appliances, anti-habit appliances, headgears or partial braces.

Removable Plate	Quadhelix Expander	Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME)

Fixed Appliances (Braces)

Braces are still the most efficient and accurate way of moving teeth. 

For most patients the optimal time to start orthodontic treatment with braces is after the last baby tooth has exfoliated. This usually occurs by 12 years of age but there is great variation between individuals.

The most commonly used fixed braces are made from stainless steel and selected highly elastic metal alloys. We use the latest generation of self-ligating or "fast" braces which help decrease total treatment time, reduce the frequency of adjustment appointments and also improve patient comfort. If requested, colourful elastic modules can also be placed over the braces to make them more fun for our younger patients.

Ceramic tooth coloured braces are the most popular choice amongst adult orthodontic patients and are growing in popularity with our teenage patients. They are very discreet and minimize the appearance of the braces. As a general rule ceramic braces are only used on the top teeth.

Orthodontic treatment with fixed braces usually takes 18-24 months to complete for teenagers and a little longer for adult patients.

Ceramic Braces	Ceramic Braces
Coloured Braces

  

Non-extraction Treatment

We believe in non-extraction treatment whenever possible. With this goal in mind, we stress the importance of early screenings and interceptive treatment when necessary for children. Despite our best efforts, approximately 30% of cases proceeding into braces treatment who initially present with significant crowding and/or protrusion will require two or more teeth extracted. These extractions are necessary to help establish satisfactory space to align the crowded teeth. 

Adult Orthodontics

For detailed information on orthodontic treatment for adult patients please download our information sheet. Click here to download “Orthodontic Treatment for Adult Patients”

Invisalign

Invisalign is an invisible way to straighten teeth without fixed braces. Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear, removable, plastic aligners to gradually straighten teeth without metal or wires. Invisalign uses 3-D computer imaging technology to depict the complete treatment plan from the initial position to the final desired position from which a series of custom made aligners are produced. Each aligner moves the teeth incrementally and is worn on a full time basis for two weeks and is then replaced by the next in series until the final tooth positioning is achieved.

Give a Smile

Give a Smile is a public health initiative established by the Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO).
The programme’s purpose is to enable ASO orthodontists to give a smile both figuratively and literally to people who are in great need of orthodontic care yet whose financial circumstances prevent them accessing treatment through the private health system.

Give a Smile orthodontists are ASO members who have volunteered to treat, for no fee, patients selected from public orthodontic waiting lists throughout Australia. While all work undertaken for these patients will be pro-bono, each patient will be treated with the same high levels of care and respect as all other full fee-paying patients attending the practice.

At the Carousel Orthodontic Centre we are proud to support the Give a Smile programme and were one of the first practices in Western Australia to participate in this goodwill concept.

Visit the Give a Smile website to find out:

More about Give a Smile.
Who can be a Give a Smile patient.            Visit: www.giveasmile.org.au

Surgical Orthodontics

Patients who present with significant discrepancies in the size, shape or position of their jaws may require fixed braces treatment in conjunction with a jaw surgery procedure (Orthognathic Surgery) when growth has completed. This type of treatment is usually recommended when there has been a significant jaw developmental problem and orthodontic treatment alone cannot produce a satisfactory outcome.

For more information on Surgical Orthodontics please download our information sheet. Click here to download