Treatment Options

Types of Orthodontic Appliances

Braces (fixed appliances) – clear or silver

braces
Fixed appliances come in various designs, however the brackets (individual attachments on teeth) work with an archwire, which moves teeth. The conventional bracket is made of stainless steel and can be coloured or plain. 

Aesthetic clear (tooth coloured) brackets made from porcelain are also often used. Your Orthodontist will discuss with you the most appropriate appliance design for you.

Invisible braces (Lingual)

invisible braces
These types of braces are fixed to the inside surface of teeth, and are invisible to the outside. They are custom-made for each person’s teeth and great skill is required to achieve an excellent result.

Clear sequential aligners (INVISALIGN)

clear sequential aligners
Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance system consisting of a series of clear plastic plates designed to move teeth, using digital 3-D modelling to move simulate tooth movement and fabricate the plates using the latest advances in technology. They are virtually invisible and removable.

Expansion appliances

These appliances widen upper jaws if they are narrow, can create space to alleviate crowded teeth, can be used in cases of bite discrepancies, and can be an alternative to removing teeth. They are generally used in growing patients when the bones are more suited to change.

Removable orthodontic plates

These are removable appliances that allow simple tooth movement, or can be used to help stabilise or prevent potential problems.

Orthodopaedic appliances

These are used in growing patients who have a jaw discrepancy. The functional appliances can be fixed or removable and act to change the pattern of facial growth. In most cases they are used to encourage upper or lower jaw growth.

Surgical Orthodontics

With some more severe jaw and bite problems, orthodontics is only part of the solution. Sometimes there is a requirement to undergo jaw realignment to achieve the maximum cosmetic result. This is more common in adults and can provide excellent results.

Skeletal Anchorage