FAQs
How long will orthodontic treatment take?
The time frame of Orthodontic treatment will depend on the severity of the case. Generally, treatment time can take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. If the dental arches need to be widened, or crowded teeth require removal, your treatment will take longer than the general time frame.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.
How often will I need my braces adjusted?
Your Orthodontist will check your progress every 4-8 weeks and this may vary case-to-case. Clear Aligner treatment may require frequent visits to change your aligners, typically every 4-10 weeks.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.
Will I need to have teeth removed before braces?
You will not necessarily need to have teeth removed. In some cases however, patients who have overcrowded teeth may require tooth extraction to ensure that Orthodontic treatment works to align the teeth rather than crowd them further.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.
Will braces and removable appliances hurt?
You may experience some discomfort when you first have your braces or removable appliance fitted, however, this will pass as you adjust to the new mechanism in your mouth. During this initial stage, we recommend paracetamol and wax to ease discomfort.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.
Will I develop ulcers with braces?
Since your mouth is not used to having braces, your lips and cheeks may rub against them. It helps to place a small ball of wax over the bracket or wire to avoid an ulcer developing. To place the wax, first dry the area as much as possible with a tissue, then roll the wax into a ball and place over the brace. The wax will need to be removed for thorough tooth brushing and you may like to remove it for eating. Generally, this is only required in the early stages while your mouth adjusts to your braces.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.
Will I still be able to eat as normal with my braces?
When you have braces it is important to be aware of what foods to avoid, to reduce the risk of breakages. It is recommended that you avoid hard foods such as hard sweets, crusty bread, popcorn, corn chips and rice snacks. Hard fruits, vegetables and meats are best to be cut up into small bite sized pieces.
Visit our foods and drinks to avoid page here or contact the team at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more.
What if my wire or my bracket comes off in between appointments?
This is a nuisance but don’t worry, just call us and let us know as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment to have this rectified. It is recommended that you call us as soon as a breakage occurs to avoid prolonging your treatment time.
Visit our emergency orthodontics page here or contact the team at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more.
What is fluoride and why do I need it before braces?
Fluoride helps strengthen the enamel before you have your braces placed. Please avoid eating, drinking and rinsing for half an hour after your fluoride treatment to allow for the best fluoride protection.
Contact us at Greater Springfield Orthodontics to find out more today.