Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Smile Improvement Solutions – Whitening, Veneers, and More in Glen Iris

There are six ways Dr. Kaufman can improve the appearance of a smile with:

  1. Tooth Whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades for a fresh, bright smile. Whitening can be done in a single visit in our practice or gradually at home.
  2. Veneers can achieve a better and more profound change in the shape and color of the teeth. Veneers can mask stains, chips, and gaps to create a uniform, natural look.
  3. Straightening the teeth with aligners or braces. Clear aligners or traditional orthodontic braces can straighten crooked or crowded teeth for better function and appearance.
  4. Crowns and Bridges: These can fill the gaps of missing teeth and reinforce damaged teeth to achieve  symmetry of your smile.
  5. Implants will replace missing teeth without the need to compromise adjacent teeth.
  6. Comprehensive Smile Makeover which is a customized plan combining several treatments—like whitening, veneers, and orthodontics—for total transformation.

Today there is no need to be afraid to smile. With all the various solutions available, Dr. Kaufman had the knowledge and experience to provide you with a smile to be proud of. Please  ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation to embark on your journey.

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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.

Treatment for protruding teeth in Children in Glen Iris

Sticking out teeth, or an increased overjet, is a common issue affecting many children. This condition can arise due to pressure from the tongue pushing forward, habitual behaviors, or the way the jaws have grown.

Children with protruding front teeth face a higher risk of accidental fractures. A comprehensive European study found that children with an overjet larger than 3 mm are about twice as likely to experience dental injuries compared to those with smaller overjets. Hence, early correction is essential to protect teeth and improve function.

Treatment options include traditional braces and clear aligners. The choice depends on factors such as:

  • Cost: Braces often cost less than aligners.

  • Hygiene: Aligners are removable for better cleaning, whereas braces require more detailed oral hygiene.

  • Complexity: Braces are preferred for more complex cases.

  • Aesthetics: Aligners are virtually invisible; braces are more noticeable.

  • User habits: Aligners can be lost if removed frequently; braces are fixed.

  • Eating: Aligners must be removed before meals.

Once treatment is planned, protruding teeth are gently repositioned to correct alignment. If your child has sticking out teeth, please make an appointment with Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris to evaluate and start timely treatment.

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.

Braces: How Modern Metal Brackets Move Your Teeth Efficiently in Glen Iris?

Traditional braces use small metal brackets attached to the teeth, connected by wires that guide teeth into the preferred position. In the past, brackets were fixed to teeth with large metal bands; today’s brackets are much smaller and are simply bonded to the tooth surface—eliminating the need for bands and making braces more comfortable and discreet.

Wire technology has also changed! Old wires were stiff and could be uncomfortable, but now heat-activated archwires use your natural body heat to help teeth move more quickly and gently—reducing pain and speeding up treatment.

Want to know which is best for you, braces or clear aligners? Dr. Kaufman is happy to discuss your options and recommend a personalized treatment for your smile.