Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris

Do I need Retainers?

If you’re in the middle of orthodontic treatment, you’re probably excited for the day your braces finally come off. However, your journey to a straighter smile isn’t quite finished—you’ll need to wear a retainer to maintain your results.

As braces move the teeth into better alignment, the surrounding bone must gradually adapt and stabilize. Right after treatment, there’s a risk your teeth could shift back to their original position. To prevent this, a custom orthodontic appliance, called a retainer, is used to keep your teeth in their new orientation during this crucial adjustment period. Depending on age and individual needs, patients may wear retainers for at least eighteen months, while adults might need them for several years—or even indefinitely—to ensure lasting results.

The most common style is a clear overlay retainer, which is removable for easy cleaning and comfort. Another option is a bonded (fixed) retainer: a thin, nearly invisible wire attached discreetly to the back of your teeth by your dentist. Bonded retainers offer the advantage of consistent retention because they stay in place at all times.

If you’d like to learn more about your options for clear or bonded retainers, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a personal consultation.

A large over bite can cause long term damage to the teeth and gums in Glen Iris

Large Overbite and Tooth Wear: Causes, Effects, and Treatment

When the teeth are not properly aligned, certain teeth take on more pressure during biting and chewing. A large overbite causes the upper front teeth to bear excessive load, leading to a range of oral health issues over time.

Common Problems Caused by a Large Overbite

  • Tooth wear and chipping: The front teeth constantly clash with opposing teeth while eating or speaking. This results in uneven wear along the biting edges and chipping of the enamel.

  • Enamel erosion and sensitivity: As the enamel wears away, the teeth become more sensitive to hot, cold, and sweet foods. Worn enamel also increases the risk of decay and discolouration.

  • Gum recession and root exposure: In some cases, the lower teeth strike the gum line behind the upper front teeth, irritating or damaging the gums and exposing tooth roots.

  • Developmental and alignment problems: In children and young adults, a deep overbite can interfere with jaw growth and the eruption of new teeth, potentially leading to misalignment or bite problems.

  • Muscle and jaw strain: Uneven contact while chewing can put excessive pressure on the jaw joints, causing discomfort and muscle fatigue.

  • Reduced confidence: A noticeable overbite or uneven smile may impact a person’s self-esteem and confidence when smiling.

Importance of Correcting a Large Overbite

Correcting a large overbite is essential to prevent further tooth damage, gum irritation, and jaw strain. Treatment also helps improve chewing, speaking, and overall facial aesthetics.

Treatment options include:

  • Orthodontic treatment to straighten and reposition teeth for proper alignment

  • Crowns or bridges to restore worn or damaged teeth and balance the bite

An examination will determine the exact cause and best treatment for your overbite. Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent long-term complications.

To learn more about correcting a large overbite, ask Dr. Kaufman a question or schedule an appointment for a personalised consultation.

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.

The Right Fit: Why SureSmile® Clear Aligners are a Trusted Option

As dental technology evolves, so does our practice and Dr. Daniel Kaufman is proud to offer SureSmile® Clear Aligners to our patients. Advanced treatment planning and proven materials combine to give you a personalised plan with predictable results. More than 1,000,000 patients have trusted SureSmile® technology to straighten their teeth.

Getting Started with SureSmile® Clear Aligners

On your first appointment Dr. Kaufman will examine the condition of your teeth, take photos and a digital scan of your teeth to assess how clear aligners will work best for you.

  1. Developing your treatment plan: Dr. Kaufman will instruct the technicians at the SureSmile® Digital Lab, how to move each tooth for optimal movement.
  2. Once your plan is ready, Dr. Kaufman will explain to you the planned treatment.
  3. If you have happy with the plan your smile journey will begin: You will get your SureSmile® Clear Aligners and you’re on your way to a smile you’ll feel confident about.
  4. Periodically Dr. Kaufman will make sure everything is on track during routine check-in visits.

 

Everyone’s journey is different, and Dr. Kaufman wants to make the process is comfortable and rewarding at every step of the way. Let us know how we can support you or make an appointment to start your journey!

Do wisdom tooth eruption lead to crowded teeth?

Crowding of the lower front teeth is a common problem for adults, regardless of whether they have undergone orthodontic treatment during their youth. Around the time when crowding begins to develop, wisdom teeth also start to erupt. For this reason, it has often been suggested that the eruption of wisdom teeth, or third molars as they are called in professional literature, is a cause of this crowding, claiming that as wisdom teeth erupt, they push other teeth, leading to crowding.

Research conducted in 1961 by Bergstrom & Jensen found that patients who had wisdom teeth on only one side showed more crowding on that side. Later, in 1982, another study showed that removing wisdom teeth from one side reduced crowding on that side in 70% of patients compared to the side where wisdom teeth were present. These findings point to wisdom teeth removal as a potential solution for crowding.

However, other studies found no significant link between third molars and crowding. These studies compared patients who had orthodontic treatment with or without wisdom teeth and concluded that crowding occurs regardless of third molar presence and does not significantly influence tooth position changes after orthodontics.

A comprehensive review published in 2020 found only a minimal change of about 1mm in crowding after wisdom teeth removal. Therefore, it concluded that removing wisdom teeth solely to prevent crowding is not justified.

In summary, many factors contribute to crowding in adults, including diet, jaw growth, tooth shape, and orthodontic treatment techniques. To prevent or treat lower incisor crowding, a thorough examination by Dr. Daniel Kaufman is essential. Please feel free to contact us for advice regarding your wisdom teeth and crowding concerns. We will gladly assess your wisdom teeth position and discuss any risk of front teeth crowding.

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.

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.

What is wrong with crooked teeth in Glen Iris?

Crooked teeth may affect your appearance or confidence but their major impact is on your oral and overall health. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Straight teeth allow your gums to fit more snugly around them. It allows for proper oral hygiene by providing easier access to the areas around the gums. Otherwise, there is more room for bacteria to sneak in causing deep pockets in the gums that lead to irreversible bone loss, known as gum disease.
  2. Uneven teeth make chewing and biting more difficult. Teeth function best when they join together in a harmonious way. But when they lack their counterparts, eating is compromised. It will lead to uneven wear of some teeth and cavities in other, which can result in tooth loss.
  3. Protruding upper teeth are more likely to chip or break in the event of an accident.
  4. Crowded teeth create nooks and crannies, that are difficult to reach, for toothbrush bristles and floss. Without proper brushing, plaque builds up and weakens the teeth, damaging the enamel and causing cavities.
  5. Few realize that dental disease can seriously affect their health. Studies have proven that oral infections may lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

There are many reasons why a beautiful smile is good for you. For a straight smile or if you would like more information about the bite you have, please ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Understanding Gaps Between Teeth (Diastemas) in Glen Iris

Many people experience gaps between their teeth, known as diastemas. These gaps can appear between any two teeth, though they are most common between the upper front teeth, often creating a visible dark space that many find aesthetically unappealing.

What Causes Gaps Between Teeth?

Several factors can contribute to the formation of diastemas:

  • A mismatch between the size of your teeth and jawbone.

  • Missing or undersized teeth.

  • An enlarged frenum (the tissue connecting your lip to your gums) keeping teeth apart.

  • Habits such as thumb or dummy sucking.

  • Misalignment or incorrect bite relationships between the teeth.

  • Periodontal disease causing teeth to loosen and drift apart.

  • Poor eruption or positioning of certain teeth preventing proper alignment.

Identifying the cause is the first step to choosing the right treatment approach.

Why Should Gaps Be Treated?

Although diastemas are not harmful by themselves, they may indicate underlying dental issues.
When gaps result from gum disease or oral habits, they often worsen over time, making treatment more complex later. Closing a diastema not only improves the appearance of your smile but also helps maintain better teeth alignment and gum health.

Treatment Options for Closing Gaps

Depending on the cause and the size of the gap, several options are available:

1. Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment is often the most natural and long-lasting solution. By gradually moving the teeth into their proper positions, gaps can be closed permanently, restoring a balanced smile while maintaining your own teeth.

2. Resin VeneersGap closed

Resin veneers can make teeth appear slightly larger, closing small or moderate gaps. Veneers can be created in a single visit and provide an immediate cosmetic improvement, although they may chip or discolor over time.

3. Crowns or Bridges

For larger gaps or when one or more teeth are missing, crowns or dental bridges can be used to restore aesthetics and function. These options also help protect neighbouring teeth from shifting.

4. Dental Implants

When a tooth is missing entirely, placing an implant restoration can provide a long-term solution. A dental implant replaces the missing tooth root and supports a natural-looking crown to fill the space seamlessly.

Get a Professional Opinion

At Tooronga Family Dentistry, we assess the cause of spacing issues and help you choose the treatment that best fits your dental health and aesthetic goals. If you have a diastema or gaps in your teeth, ask Dr. Kaufman or schedule an appointment for a consultation today.