FAQs

An orthodontist is a registered dental specialist who has completed an additional three years of full-time university training in orthodontics. They hold a general dental degree as well as a specialist orthodontic degree.

No, you can make an appointment with a registered specialist orthodontist without a referral from your general dentist. Your general dentist may however, wish to write a referral if they have specific concerns.

In addition to improving your smile, orthodontic treatment may also help to: Improve your bite, which is the way your upper and lower teeth come together Decrease the likelihood of uneven tooth wear Improvement in chewing function, particularly in cases of severely malaligned bites Improved oral hygiene, as crooked teeth can make it more difficult to brush and floss your teeth

It is never too late to undergo orthodontic treatment. Adults treatment can sometimes be complicated due to the presence of medical conditions, restorations, dental and gum conditions. Our specialist orthodontist can discuss the impact of these and overcome potential problems during treatment. Whether it’s with traditional braces or clear aligner therapy, most adults will need to undergo 6-24 months of treatment.

Unfortunately, teeth tend to move throughout life and can shift after orthodontic treatment. After completing orthodontic treatment, we will provide you with upper and lower removable retainers to prevent your teeth from shifting. Retainers are typically worn full time for 3 months, then on a part-time basis thereafter.

Clear aligners are clear and are therefore a good option for patients who wish to straighten their teeth discreetly. They are removable, which means that they can be removed for eating and cleaning. Braces, on the other hand, are great for patients who cannot commit to wearing clear aligners for 22 hours a day. They may also be the most effective option for treating more difficult cases.

You may experience some discomfort when new aligners are fitted. This is completely normal, and often goes away after a few days. In the meantime, over-the-counter pain killers can help to decrease the level of discomfort.

Yes, Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First are versions of Invisalign which have been designed just for teens and children.

At St Kilda Orthodontics Invisalign treatment ranges from $4000-7900 depending on the complexity of treatment. We also offer various interest-free payment plan options.

Invisalign treatment can take anywhere from 6-24 months for most adults. The length of orthodontic treatment depends on the complexity of the malocclusion, how much tooth movement and how much bite correction is required.

Braces require regular adjustments and reviews in order to effectively align your teeth. Adjustment and review appointments usually occur every 4-8 weeks, depending on the stage of treatment.

At St Kilda Orthodontics braces treatment typically ranges from $4000-7200 depending on the complexity of treatment. We also offer various interest-free payment plan options.

We suggest that you eat soft foods for the first few days after each adjustment appointment to reduce discomfort. Soft foods we recommend include soup, mashed potato, soft pasta dishes, rice. Throughout treatment, we would also suggest avoiding hard foods such as hard bread crust and boiled lollies as these break orthodontic brackets.