Achieve a straighter, healthier smile with orthodontic treatment
A straight, properly aligned smile isn't just about looks - it's also about health. Crooked or misaligned teeth can make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, leading to cavities and gum disease. They can also cause bite problems, jaw pain, and uneven tooth wear. At K-Family Dental in Chatswood, Sydney, we offer comprehensive orthodontic solutions to help you achieve a healthier, more confident smile.
Whether you're considering traditional braces or clear aligner treatment like Invisalign, our experienced team will create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific orthodontic needs. We treat both teens and adults, and we're committed to making your orthodontic journey comfortable, convenient, and successful.
Traditional braces consist of metal brackets bonded to teeth and connected by wires that are gradually tightened to shift teeth into proper position. While they're the most visible option, modern braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever before.
Benefits of Traditional Braces:
Treatment Duration: Most patients wear braces for 18-24 months, though simpler cases may be shorter and complex cases may take longer.
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth into the desired position. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks before being replaced with the next in the series.
Benefits of Invisalign:
Treatment Duration: Invisalign treatment typically takes 12-18 months for most cases, with some simpler cases completed in as little as 6 months.
Both braces and Invisalign can effectively treat a wide range of orthodontic problems:
During your consultation, we'll assess your specific case and recommend the most effective treatment option for your needs.
We'll examine your teeth, take X-rays and photographs, and discuss your concerns and goals. We'll explain which treatment options are suitable for your case and provide a treatment timeline and cost estimate.
For traditional braces, we'll schedule your bracket placement appointment. For Invisalign, we'll take digital impressions or physical molds to create your custom aligners. You'll see a preview of your expected results using advanced 3D technology.
Braces: We'll bond brackets to your teeth and place the initial wire. This appointment typically takes 1-2 hours. You may experience some soreness for a few days as you adjust.
Invisalign: You'll receive your first several sets of aligners with instructions for wearing them 20-22 hours per day, changing to a new set every 1-2 weeks.
Braces: You'll visit us every 4-6 weeks for adjustments, where we'll tighten wires and check progress.
Invisalign: Check-ups every 6-8 weeks to monitor progress and receive new sets of aligners.
Once your teeth are in their new positions, we'll remove your braces or you'll finish your final aligner. You'll need to wear a retainer to prevent teeth from shifting back. Initially, retainers are worn full-time, then gradually reduced to nights only.
Schedule your orthodontic consultation to explore braces and Invisalign options
Book Your Free ConsultationAbsolutely not! Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. In fact, about one-third of orthodontic patients today are adults. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, you're a candidate for orthodontic treatment. Many adults choose Invisalign for its discreet appearance in professional settings, but traditional braces are also an option. It's never too late to achieve the straight, healthy smile you've always wanted.
Getting braces doesn't hurt, though you may feel pressure during placement. Afterward, you may experience soreness for 3-5 days as your teeth and mouth adjust. This discomfort is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Each adjustment appointment may cause minor soreness that usually lasts only a day or two. Modern braces are much more comfortable than those from years past. Most patients find that any initial discomfort is well worth the beautiful end result.
Treatment duration varies based on the complexity of your case and which system you choose. Traditional braces typically take 18-24 months, while Invisalign often achieves results in 12-18 months for mild to moderate cases. Simple cases might be completed in 6-12 months, while complex cases could take 2-3 years. Your specific timeline will be discussed during your consultation. Attending all appointments and following care instructions helps ensure treatment stays on schedule.
Invisalign is typically more expensive than traditional braces, though costs vary based on case complexity and treatment duration. Traditional braces generally range from $6,000-$8,000, while Invisalign typically costs $7,000-$9,000 in Australia. However, for simpler cases, costs may be lower. We provide detailed cost estimates during your consultation and offer payment plans to make orthodontic treatment affordable. Many private health insurance plans provide orthodontic coverage that can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Invisalign can effectively treat many of the same orthodontic issues as traditional braces, including crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, and crossbites. However, very complex cases involving severe bite problems, significant rotation, or vertical movement may be better treated with traditional braces. During your consultation, we'll honestly assess whether Invisalign can achieve your desired results or if braces would be more effective. In some cases, a combination approach may be recommended.
Yes, retainers are essential to maintain your results. After orthodontic treatment, your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions. Retainers hold teeth in their new positions while surrounding bone and ligaments stabilize. Initially, you'll wear your retainer full-time (20-22 hours per day) for several months. Then you'll transition to night-time wear only, which should continue indefinitely to preserve your investment in your smile. We'll provide specific retainer instructions when you complete treatment.
With traditional braces, avoid hard foods (ice, nuts, hard candy, popcorn), sticky foods (caramel, gummy candy, chewing gum, taffy), and foods you bite into (apples, corn on the cob, carrots - cut these into pieces instead). These can break brackets, bend wires, or get stuck in braces. Also avoid very crunchy foods like hard pretzels or chips. With Invisalign, there are no food restrictions since you remove aligners to eat - one of its major advantages!
With traditional braces, you'll visit us every 4-6 weeks for adjustments. These appointments typically take 20-30 minutes. With Invisalign, check-ups are less frequent - usually every 6-8 weeks - and often shorter, making it a convenient option for busy adults. Both types of treatment require commitment to regular appointments to ensure treatment progresses as planned and stays on schedule. Missing appointments can extend your treatment time.