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.

Anterior Crossbite & Abnormal Tooth Eruption – Early Treatment for Children in Glen Iris

A child as young as seven years old can have his or her first permanent incisors or molars grow in the wrong position. If left untreated, it can lead to a host of problems, may complicate future orthodontic treatment and may even require surgery to correct the malformation. On the other hand during a child’s growth we can influence the way the jaws develop and bring them into a correct relationship. A good example of an important malformation that requires immediate intervention is Anterior Crossbite as shown in the image here, where the lower jaw was pushed forwards by the way the front teeth meet.

Anterior crossbite is relatively a common presentation in the mixed dentition stage. It happens when the upper incisors develop behind the lower incisors. When the child is young, it is relatively easy to guide the erupting teeth to their correct position with a simple appliance. As shown in a completed treatment by Dr. Kaufman.

Don’t wait for the malformations to be more entrenched and difficult to treat. If you feel that your child’s teeth are starting to erupt in the wrong way or there are any missing teeth, please make an appointment to see Dr. Kaufman to have them checked.

The Benefits of Straight Teeth: More Than Just a Beautiful Smile in Glen Iris

A great smile is reason enough to show off straight teeth. But the advantages of proper tooth alignment go far beyond appearance. When your teeth are positioned correctly, you gain a host of health and functional benefits:

  1. Healthier Gums
    Straight teeth are easier to keep clean. Crooked teeth often create hard-to-brush areas that trap food, increasing the risk of plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Aligning your teeth allows your tongue to help with self-cleansing throughout the day and lets toothbrush bristles reach all surfaces more effectively.
  2. Clearer Speech
    Gaps or incorrect bite relationships can interfere with speech, leading to a lisp or other articulation issues (such as with an “open bite”). Bringing teeth into the right position often corrects these problems, making speech clearer and more confident.
  3. Better Jaw and Joint Health
    Correct tooth positioning (known as Class 1 occlusion) allows jaw muscles and joints to function harmoniously. When teeth don’t meet properly, certain muscles and joints can be overloaded—potentially causing jaw pain or joint damage.
  4. Even Tooth Wear
    A poorly aligned bite can cause certain teeth to wear down faster or crack because they’re bearing more chewing force than they should. Straightening teeth helps distribute biting forces evenly across all teeth, reducing the risk of fractures and premature wear.
  5. Teeth for Life
    Balanced, straight teeth facilitate better oral hygiene, prevent excessive wear, and protect jaw joints. This means your teeth are more likely to stay healthy and last a lifetime.