Why Braces?

Crooked teeth can make you feel self conscious. They are also a haven for bacteria which can cause gum disease, systemic health issues, and loss of teeth.

So why not help make your smile better, and your body healthier, with the help of braces.

As early as around 8 years old, kids may be eligible to start orthodontic treatment. Studying the formation f the baby teeth and adult teeth beneath them, allows us to plan the dental development, and reduce the need for more aggressive treatments later on. Orthodontics for kids most often guides permanent teeth into position and creates a more positive jaw development. This is called Early Intervention Orthodontics. These types of cases are not covered in our pricing below.

Our dentists will assess your xrays and see if traditional braces are a suitable option for you. And give you advice on how we can achieve the best results – and approximately how long it will take.

As your braces journey starts, we regularly monitor you progress, adjusting slowly as we go. You are supported all through your braces treatment journey.

There are three main types of traditional braces: metal, ceramic and lingual.

Aesthetically, each is different, but they all use the force of pressure to move teeth into the desired position over time. And the prices vary as well.

In our practice we use the metal braces, as they are the most economical for our patients, and easiest to fix if something goes wrong.

Traditional Braces

Traditional metal braces typically use high-grade stainless steel and consist of three main parts:

• Metal brackets – bonded to the outside of the teeth using a special glue to hold them in place.
• Archwire – a thin metal wire threaded through each bracket to connect them, which puts pressure on the teeth and gradually guides them into place.
• Rubber bands – hold the archwires to the brackets, and are available in different colours to make your braces treatment more fun! Especially for kids and teens.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces also use the same components as traditional metal braces, except the brackets and archwires are bonded on the inside of the teeth to make them less visible.

These are more sensitive on the tongue, and while they can’t be seen by others, your tongue does take a battering from the constant contact with the wires.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces, also known as white or braces, share the same design as metal braces, except they attach tooth-coloured porcelain or clear brackets to the outside of the teeth. The archwire can be metal or even tooth-coloured to blend in. While they are less visible, they are just as effective. However they are significantly more expensive. And if something goes wrong while you are travelling, not many dentists or orthodontists would be able to help you.

Any invasive or surgical procedure may carry risks. Before moving forward, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from an appropriately licensed medical professional.

Braces Lara, Corio VIC | (03) 4224 3000