Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

What are the benefits of orthodontic treatment for adults in Glen Iris?

The Importance of Straight Teeth for Oral Health

It may seem that straight teeth are only important for improving your smile, but they play a much bigger role in maintaining overall oral health. Well-aligned teeth are easier to clean and help prevent a variety of dental problems.

How Crooked or Tipped Teeth Affect Oral Health

Crooked or crowded teeth often create small spaces where food particles become trapped. These areas are difficult to clean properly, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

When a tooth is lost, the surrounding teeth can shift into the empty space and the opposite teeth may over-erupt. These changes can cause discomfort, misalignment of the bite, and difficulty chewing.

How Orthodontic Treatment Can Help

Orthodontic treatment can reposition your teeth, close gaps, and correct misalignment. Straightening the teeth prevents food traps, reduces the risk of decay, and makes cleaning more effective.

Depending on your individual needs, teeth can be moved with traditional braces or modern clear aligners. In some cases, orthodontic movement can even shift a tooth into a vacant space to replace a missing one naturally.

If a tooth is badly broken, orthodontics can utilise the natural eruption process to expose the healthy part of the tooth, allowing it to be restored and preserved.

Adult Orthodontics and Long-Term Benefits

Straightening teeth isn’t just for children or teenagers. It’s common for adults to seek orthodontic care to improve both the health and appearance of their smile. Orthodontic treatment can:

  • Improve chewing and speech function

  • Prevent uneven tooth wear

  • Support long-term gum and bone health

  • Enhance facial balance and confidence

If you want to know how tooth alignment can benefit your oral health, please click here to make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris. Dr. Kaufman will examine your teeth and explain how treating overcrowding, tipping, or worn-down teeth can help you maintain a healthy, functional smile.

What Adults Should Know About Orthodontics in Glen Iris?

Adult Orthodontics: Achieving a Confident, Beautiful Smile at Any Age

It’s never too late to achieve your dream smile—even as an adult! If you want straighter teeth or need to resolve a bite issue, modern orthodontic solutions make it easier than ever. Today, adults have a variety of choices for improving tooth alignment and smile appearance.

The best way to determine which treatment option is right for you is to make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman. After a thorough exam, he can recommend braces or aligners and help you address any questions or concerns.

Cost Considerations:
Traditional metal braces are usually the most cost-effective option, but other alternatives such as clear ceramic braces or invisible aligners may cost more but are less noticeable. Ceramic braces are placed on the front of teeth and blend in with natural enamel. Invisible aligners involve using a series of clear, removable trays for gradual tooth movement.

Treatment Duration:
Adult treatments often take longer than children’s—on average, most adults need orthodontic treatment for 18 months to three years. Results depend on the complexity of each case and chosen method.

If you’re ready for a straighter, more confident smile this year, make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman to discuss the best path forward.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?

It’s a good idea to get an orthodontic evaluation by the time a child is 7 years old. Dr. Kaufman is a dentist with additional training, in aligning and straightening teeth. In his orthodontic evaluation Dr. Kaufman will examine the position of the upper and lower jaws, the way the teeth function and if there are any abnormalities. An early orthodontic assessment doesn’t mean your child will get braces right away. It just means that Dr. Kaufman will be able to find problems and decide the best time to start treatment. Since the best time to start an orthodontic treatment depends on the severity and the cause of the misalignment of your child’s teeth. In general there are three developmental stages orthodontic treatment can be started at:

Early Treatment or orthopaedic treatment:Open bite

Early interceptive treatment, referred to as Phase 1, is performed before all of the permanent teeth have erupted—often between the ages of 7 and 10. The main advantage of the early treatment is the opportunity to guide the development of the jaws as your child is growing. If this opportunity is missed, the only way to make these changes later on are with orthognathic surgery. Many times the early assessment can detect problems that happen after losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. The early detection call allow for an interceptive treatment that will prevent the transition of the malocclusion to the permanent dentition.

Orthodontic treatment for Teens:

Adolescents typically start full orthodontic treatment between the ages of 12 and 16 once most of their permanent teeth have erupted. This treatment is referred to, as Phase 2 if they received early treatment. During the phase 2 treatment all the permanent teeth will be brought into the correct position to maximize their appearance and function.

Adult Treatment:

Orthodontic treatment can be done during adulthood. It can help solve problems that relate to crowding and difficulty to maintain good oral hygiene, it can dramatically improve your personal appearance and confidence. For adults there are several treatment options including discrete treatment with aligners, treatment with traditional braces or a combination of the two.

If  you have some questions and concerns about braces, clear aligners or orthodontic treatment please don’t hesitate to contact us.