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.

When to start correcting the position of the teeth?

Early Orthodontic Assessment for Children

Children and parents often visit Dr. Kaufman when the first permanent teeth erupt. The most common concern is that the new teeth appear twisted or crowded. This stage typically begins around age six, and it is recommended that every child see Dr. Kaufman by the age of seven for an early orthodontic evaluation.

The Importance of Monitoring the Transition from Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth

The transition from baby teeth (primary teeth) to permanent teeth is a critical milestone in a child’s dental development. Careful monitoring during this stage ensures that teeth and jaws develop in proper balance.

Early assessment helps identify issues such as:

  • Missing permanent teeth

  • Crowding or spacing problems

  • Misaligned jaw growth or bite discrepancies

  • Uneven relationship between tooth and jaw size

These developmental discrepancies can affect long-term oral health, occlusion, and facial growth. The good news is that they can be diagnosed early and managed with a personalised treatment plan to guide proper development.

Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment

An early start provides many advantages, allowing Dr. Kaufman to:

  • Guide the eruption of permanent teeth into their correct position

  • Utilise natural growth of the face and jaws to improve alignment

  • Prevent more severe orthodontic issues in adolescence

  • Reduce or shorten the duration of future orthodontic treatment

Long-Term Goals

Our goal is to help children develop a healthy, confident smile that supports their overall growth and self-esteem. Early evaluation paves the way for easier orthodontic care later in life and leads to lasting, balanced dental health.

Book an early orthodontic consultation with Dr. Kaufman to assess your child’s dental development and create a tailored plan for a great smile and future confidence.