Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Fast orthodontic treatment with aligners in Glen Iris

Achieve a Beautiful Smile Faster with Clear Aligners

It’s an amazing feeling to enjoy a straight, confident smile — and it’s even better when it happens faster. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, can help you achieve beautifully straight teeth more quickly than traditional braces.

How Clear Aligners Save Time

Clear aligners can shorten orthodontic treatment in several ways compared to conventional braces:

  1. No need for initial wire alignment
    Traditional braces rely on metal wires, which require all teeth to be aligned on the same plane before treatment can properly begin. Aligners, on the other hand, can move teeth efficiently even when they start at different levels, reducing the initial alignment phase.

  2. Early use of elastics (rubber bands)
    With braces, rubber bands can only be introduced after the wire gains enough strength. Aligners allow elastics to be used from the beginning of treatment, helping speed up bite correction.

  3. Advanced acceleration technology
    Clear aligners can be paired with modern vibration-based devices that stimulate faster tooth movement. Research has shown that these systems can reduce total treatment time by more than 50 percent compared to Invisalign treatment alone.

Why Choose Clear Aligners

Clear aligners not only straighten teeth faster but also offer a comfortable, discreet, and removable solution. They make maintaining oral hygiene easier and allow you to enjoy your favourite foods throughout treatment.

To begin your journey to a confident, radiant smile, please click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kaufman in Glen Iris. Dr. Kaufman holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Clear Aligner Therapy and has extensive experience helping patients achieve stunning results through personalised aligner treatment.

Mouth Breathing and Its Impact on Dental Development in Glen Iris

When we are born, our natural instinct is to breathe through the nose. The nasal passages filter, warm, and humidify air before it enters the lungs. However, when nasal obstructions occur, breathing shifts from the nose to the mouth. While this may begin as a temporary adaptation, prolonged mouth breathing can have lasting effects on both oral and facial development.

How Mouth Breathing Affects Jaw and Facial Growth

When the nose is underused, its structures do not develop properly. The same applies to the upper jaw, which becomes narrow and underdeveloped. As a result, the upper jaw may appear sunken, and the lower jaw tends to hang open so air can pass through more easily. Over time, this posture weakens facial muscles and elongates the lower facial structure.

The Role of the Tongue

The tongue greatly influences how the upper jaw and base of the skull develop. Ideally, the tongue should rest against the roof of the mouth during both rest and swallowing.

In mouth breathers, however, the tongue remains at the floor of the mouth and does not make contact with the palate. This absence of upward pressure leads to inadequate upper jaw growth and commonly results in bite misalignment and crowded teeth, particularly in children.

Long-Term Consequences

If mouth breathing persists, it can permanently alter the shape of the face and dental arches as a child matures. These structural changes often cause functional issues such as difficulty breathing through the nose, speech challenges, and an increased risk of orthodontic problems.

Early identification and intervention are crucial to prevent these effects from becoming permanent.

Treating Mouth Breathing Early

Mouth breathing should be addressed in childhood through a combination of dental, orthodontic, and medical approaches. Treatment may include:

  • Identifying and removing nasal or airway obstructions

  • Encouraging proper tongue posture and nasal breathing habits

  • Orthodontic therapy to guide jaw and bite development

If you or your child are mouth breathers or have misaligned teeth, it is important to have the condition assessed as early as possible. For professional evaluation, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.