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June 28, 2019 - No Comments!

10 Pros and Cons About SureSmile Braces

By now, you've likely heard about SureSmile braces and how wonderful they are as an alternative to conventional braces. But, it's important to know about all the SureSmile pros and cons. While SureSmile is an incredible technology, it can have a few drawbacks. By knowing these in advance, it's much easier to decide if this is the right treatment strategy for you.

1. Pro: Customised Fit

SureSmile uses 3D imaging and robotics to create a customised fit based upon your orthodontist's plan. Your orthodontist scans your mouth and then analyses the results in the SureSmile software to a custom plan.

Instead of manually bending wires into place, advanced robotics carefully bend every wire into the perfect position. When you go back in to get your SureSmile braces, they slide into place easily since they were made specifically for your teeth.

2. Con: Not Invisible

On the other hand, you have to consider both SureSmile pros and cons. Despite that custom fit, they're not invisible. You'll still be wearing braces that people can see. If you're concerned about how they look, you may want to consider invisible options, such as Invisalign or lingual braces, which fit behind your teeth.

3. Pro: Straightens Faster

While you might not love the look, you might love the fact that you may not have to wear them as long as conventional braces. Thanks to the custom fit, SureSmile braces are proven to straighten teeth faster. In fact, you may be able to get your braces off in as little as 13 months, which is nearly 30% faster than conventional metal braces.

By creating a detailed plan in the beginning, your orthodontist sees exactly how teeth need to move to straighten teeth more quickly.

4. Con: Costs More

While the costs vary greatly based upon your specific needs, your orthodontist and other factors, SureSmile does cost more than conventional braces. This is due to the advanced technology used to help straighten your teeth more efficiently and in less time.

The one positive about costing more is you're likely to get them off sooner. That may very well be worth paying a little more.

5. Pro: Less Painful

One thing that may stand out when comparing SureSmile pros and cons is SureSmile braces tend to be less painful. The main reason is that you don't need nearly as many adjustments.

After all, if someone's not digging around in your mouth moving wires around, you'll have less pain. The pain with conventional braces usually comes from the process of tightening and re-tightening wires with each visit. SureSmile is designed to reduce this, leading to far less pain and discomfort.

6. Con: Not For All Cases

SureSmile might sound like the perfect combination of traditional braces and new technology, but it's not for everyone. Some cases may require conventional braces and additional appliances to fully correct your issues.

You'll need to meet with your orthodontist to discuss your needs to see if SureSmile will be an effective solution for you. On the other hand, SureSmile braces work well for all ages.

7. Pro: Everything Planned In Advance

In a case study of an orthodontist adopting SureSmile technology, Dr. Randy Moles discovered that he spent significantly less time on adjustments thanks to the entire plan being created in advance. According to Moles, traditional braces worked like "driving a car by looking in the rearview mirror."

Moles said instead of having to adjust everything based upon movement between visits, he was able to set up all of his adjustments in advance.

Of course, this means less time digging around your mouth. You get shorter visits, less pain and an overall faster treatment process.

8. Con: Not Perfect

Of course, this is about SureSmile pros and cons, so there is a con. As perfect as this system sounds, it's not always 100% perfect. Dr. Moles stated in putting the SureSmile system into play, he would run into situations where teeth didn't move exactly as he thought they would.

Since SureSmile allows orthodontists to plan out the movement of teeth in advance, it's up to the orthodontist to anticipate how things will move. Naturally, things go awry sometimes. A tooth may push forward versus left. This means adjustments have to be made.

The good news is it's easy to correct anything that comes up. All your orthodontist has to do is adjust your treatment plan in the software and order new wires. The wires contain all the original custom bends, just with a few adjustments made. You're fitted with the new wires and all set to continue getting a straighter smile.

Adjustments like this are more likely in complex cases where it may be difficult to fully anticipate how teeth and even bone may move.

9. Pro: Fewer Visits

In the same study that found SureSmile braces worked faster, overall visits were reduced too. Since you won't need as many adjustments thanks to the advanced technology and planning, the average patient has four fewer visits during their treatment plan.

You'll still need to go in for regular appointments to ensure everything is going as planned. Your orthodontist will also check to ensure nothing is damaged.

On that note, if you suspect a wire or bracket is damaged, contact your orthodontist. Any damage to your SureSmile braces can change how your teeth are moved. Waiting too long may require you to have to start over. This is true with any orthodontic treatment plan.

10. Con: Changes In What You Eat & Do

When it comes to SureSmile pros and cons, the most noticeable con is having to change your oral habits. Since you are still wearing braces, you'll need to make changes in what you eat and do.

You'll have to learn how to brush and floss around your braces. It's important to take special care of your teeth during this time to avoid bacteria and plaque from growing in between your teeth and under your brackets and wires.

If you follow your orthodontist's instructions and recommendations, you'll quickly adjust. Remember, it may only be for around 13 months. And, the resulting smile is well worth the extra effort.

SureSmile Pros and Cons

Interested in learning more about SureSmile braces? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ask us any questions you may have.

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June 21, 2019 - No Comments!

4 Steps To Fixing Your Overbite With Invisalign

Thanks to advances in oral technology, fixing your overbite is easier than ever and no one will even know you're doing it. Overbite correction with Invisalign allows you to correct your overbite in a nearly invisible way. All anyone else will see is the amazing results. All it takes is just a few steps. It's recommended to start the treatment early in life, such as when the jaw is still developing, for best results...

1. Go In For Your 3D Scan

Your overbite correction with Invisalign starts with a trip to your orthodontist. After they've decided you are a candidate for Invisalign, they'll take a 3D scan of your mouth. This gives them a better view of your entire mouth to see exactly how your teeth and jaw need to move to fix your overbite.

2. Customised Aligners

Instead of braces, Invisalign corrects overbites using clear aligners. These seemingly simple looking trays are customised to your specific treatment plan. Advanced technology creates each individual aligner in the plan your orthodontist creates.

3. Wear And Care

You'll receive a new aligner every one to two weeks, depending on your treatment plan. It's vital to wear your aligners as much as possible. However, you should take them out to eat, floss and brush. This helps to keep your aligners and mouth cleaner.

It's important to continue brushing and flossing as normal, just take your aligner out first. You'll also need to rinse and lightly brush your aligners to keep them clean.

4. Stay On Schedule

While you won't have as many orthodontic appointments with an overbite correction with Invisalign, you'll still need to go in sometimes to ensure everything is going as planned. To ensure nothing goes wrong, wear your aligners exactly as directed and don't leave them out more than a few hours a day. If an aligner doesn't fit correctly or gets damaged, contact your orthodontist immediately!

Otherwise, once you finish with your final aligner (number will vary based on your plan), your jaw and teeth will have come into alignment and your overbite will be gone.

Overbite Correction with Invisalign

To see if Invisalign can treat your overbite, contact our offices today to schedule a consultation.

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June 14, 2019 - No Comments!

Don’t Let the Cost of Invisible Braces Stop You from Getting the Smile You Want

Having your teeth straightened might sound great, but one of your first questions is probably involves the cost of invisible braces. This is completely normal, but it's certainly manageable in order to get the smile you want.

Since invisible braces have become more popular, some might think they're too expensive to consider. However, the cost of invisible braces is more affordable than you might think.

Similar To Traditional Braces

The general cost of invisible braces isn't much different than traditional braces. However, it's possible that you might not need to wear them quite as long, making them a potentially lower cost option. On average, your costs can range anywhere from under $2,000 to over $4,000.

Plus, depending on the invisible option you choose, you may need fewer visits to the office, further lowering the cost.

Depends On Severity Of Condition

The milder the condition, the lower the cost. The reason is it takes far less time to make small adjustments. More severe cases will require a more intensive treatment plan, making it cost more.

The Cost of Invisible Braces Varies Based on Treatment

We offer three nearly invisible solutions at our offices in Joondalup and Claremont. We offer clear aligners via SureSmile and Invisalign. We also offer lingual braces, which fit behind the teeth, and ceramic braces. Each has its own unique pricing model.

Level Of Treatment

The cost of invisible braces also varies based on whether you're having just your top teeth, just your bottom teeth or top and bottom teeth done. Obviously, if you're just straightening your top or bottom teeth, it will cost less than having all of your teeth straightened.

Scheduling A Consultation

The only way to get an accurate quote is to schedule a consultation with your orthodontist. They'll look at your current condition to determine which options are best for you. They'll also determine how long your treatment plan will be, which can vary anywhere from six months to two years or more, depending on the severity of your condition.

At this point, your orthodontist will lay out your treatment plan and discuss all related costs. This includes:

  • The consultation
  • Any X-rays and 3D scans
  • The braces or aligners
  • Additional visits

While some orthodontists might not give you the total cost upfront, we prefer to give you the full cost now so there are no surprises later. You can then decide if this is the right option for you right now.

If you're worried about the cost of invisible braces in Australia, please know that we offer interest-free payment plans to make it even more affordable. Contact our offices today to schedule your consultation.

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June 7, 2019 - No Comments!

Ceramic Braces Reviews are In & They are a Great Alternative

If you've been considering getting braces, you should know you have more options than ever. You may have already checked out ceramic braces reviews to see how others feel about them about traditional braces.

The reviews are in and there are quite a few benefits, especially if you don't want the look of metal braces.

Less Visible

Many ceramic braces reviews point out one major benefit - they're less visible than traditional braces. This is because the brackets are ceramic and tooth-coloured versus metal or metallic. Obviously, they're not 100% invisible, but having a bracket that blends in with the color of your tooth makes them far less visible.

Of course, if you do want to show off all the hard work your braces are doing, numerous colours are available.

The archwire that connects the brackets can be white or silver. Naturally if you have the silver wire and even at some stage a gold wire, it will be visible.

Work For More Cases

You may have discovered that invisible solutions, like Invisalign, don't work with severe cases. This doesn't mean your only option is traditional metal braces. Ceramic braces work just like metal braces, and some people feel they look better.

This means whether your case is mild or severe, ceramic braces will work for you.

Faster Improvements

Even with the mildest cases, aligners can take at least a year to work. One thing you might have seen in ceramic braces reviews is how quickly you see results. Typically, you have to wear them 18 to 36 months, but the wire and brackets move your teeth into the correct position faster, letting you notice results quicker.

Ceramic Braces Reviews: They're Strong

Ceramic is surprisingly strong. What does this mean for you? Even the most careful people still have accidents. Ceramic braces are strong enough to withstand most of what you can throw at them.

Of course, don't be reckless with your braces. Take good care of them so you don't have to have repairs or even start over.

Do ceramic braces reviews have you curious about whether they're right for you? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and discuss your options.