Townsend orthodontics
Traditional Braces
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(08) 8379 3643
Beautiful Braces & Aligned Smiles
Townsend Orthodontics is committed to providing quality smile transformations across Adelaide, Burnside and the Barossa Valley. If you are looking for discreet orthodontic solutions, personal service, unrivalled quality, and expert advice then you’ll find our Orthodontists check all the boxes.
Types Of Braces
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces are one of the strongest and most effective ways to align the teeth. Metal braces are made from medical-grade stainless steel and use a series of brackets, archwires, and in some cases small rubber bands, that exert pressure on the teeth to gently move them into position.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces but instead of using stainless steel, the brackets and wires are made from tooth-coloured materials to match your tooth enamel. The white brackets and wires seamlessly blend in with the teeth to create a more subtle and less obvious visual appearance.
Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are the most discreet type of traditional wire brace. Made from medical grade stainless steel, they are fitted to the back of the teeth facing the tongue, so they are very discreet and virtually unnoticeable. Wire and ceramic braces that are fitted to the front of the teeth are more efficient than lingual braces, so treatment may take slightly longer with lingual braces, but they offer significant cosmetic advantages.
Custom Designed Braces
Townsend Orthodontics provides tailored orthodontic solutions, custom-built for your specific needs. We focus on quality and precision, so unlike most steel or ceramic braces which are an adjustable one size fits all system, we use custom-designed solutions meaning every bracket and wire is custom built to suit your specific condition.
Digital Smile Design
Before we design your braces, we’ll undertake a comprehensive examination which may involve x-rays, intra and extra oral photographs along with digital scans.
Our Orthodontists use an intraoral scanner to produce a high-definition 3D scan of the bite, gums and teeth. This then produces a 3D digital file of the mouth which is loaded into our specialist software to enable your Orthodontist to digitally design and create your perfect smile.
See Your Smile Transformation
Once we’ve designed your smile, we’ll show you a complete digital simulation of the treatment from start to finish. You’ll see 3D visuals of all the different stages of the treatment so you can see your transformation and expected results before the treatment even starts.
Fitting Your Braces
Once the design and treatment plan has been agreed upon, we generate a list of custom parts for fabrication and then we’ll call you in to fit your braces. Our customised placement jigs help ensure brackets are accurately transferred to the correct positions and fitting your braces is highly efficient, often taking as little as 1 hour to complete.
Precision & Accuracy
The first part of the treatment involves adhering the brackets to the teeth with a special adhesive that bonds to the enamel without scratching or damaging the teeth. All brackets are positioned using customised placement jigs to ensure precision and accuracy. Once the brackets are securely in place the archwires are then added and tensioned to create the necessary forces required to gently align the teeth.
Regular Adjustments
Traditional metal braces, ceramic braces and lingual braces need regular adjustments to monitor the movement of the teeth. As we use custom-designed braces, our orthodontic treatments are highly efficient and effective, requiring fewer adjustments than standard braces to deliver a beautiful straight smile.
Retainers – Maintaining Your Smile
Once your treatment is complete your teeth and gums can continue to move which is why wearing a retainer is a critical part of your aftercare. Retainers can be fixed or removable and our Orthodontists will talk you through the different types of retainers. Wearing your retainer will not only hold your newly aligned teeth in position but it will help to stabilise your teeth, gums and bite to ensure you maintain your beautiful new smile.
FAQ’s Braces
How long do I have to wear braces?
As no two patients are the same, treatment times vary depending on the complexity of your case and the number of issues we need to address. However, as a general rule of thumb, you could expect treatment times of anywhere between 18 to 30 months.
Are braces painful?
You may feel some slight discomfort or pressure when the braces are first fitted or after an adjustment. Once the braces have been fitted, there is often an initial period of one or two days where you may feel your braces, but this soon goes away as you get used to wearing them.
What do I do if a wire breaks?
A broken wire is rarely a big issue and can be fixed fairly quickly during a scheduled appointment. However, if the wire is causing you any pain or discomfort, please call us for an emergency appointment.
What if I play sports that require a mouthguard?
You can still play sports whilst wearing a brace, however, we recommend using a mouthguard that is specifically designed to accommodate your braces such as the Neomorph Prodigy.
How much do braces cost?
All our braces are custom designed to suit your individual condition and the cost varies depending on the complexity of the treatment and the number of issues we need to address. Our experienced Orthodontists will advise you on the treatment options and prices during your initial consultation.
Will braces affect my speech?
Traditional braces should not affect your speech. Lingual braces are more likely to affect your speech because they are located at the back of the teeth near the tongue. However, most patients adjust to their lingual braces within a week or two, and their speech usually returns to normal.
How do I keep my teeth clean with braces?
Daily brushing and flossing are essential when you are wearing braces. We recommend brushing your teeth three times per day, after each meal, and using interdental brushes to clean in and around the wires at least once a day. Regular dental check-ups are also a great way to stay on top of your oral health.
Will I need to have any teeth removed?
Sometimes teeth may need to be removed to make space in the mouth. However, modern orthodontics techniques mean that tooth extraction is kept to a minimum and we will always opt for the least invasive treatment methods where possible.
Do I need to avoid certain foods when wearing braces?
Yes, we recommend you stay away from hard foods like apples and carrots unless they are cut into small slices. We also recommend avoiding hard sticky candy, popcorn and chewing gum as they can damage the wires on your braces.
What if I get ulcers next to my braces?
If the brackets of your braces are rubbing against your cheeks, we recommend rinsing your mouth with saltwater to help firm up your soft tissues. We can also provide a special wax product that can be moulded around specific brackets to help reduce irritation. Eventually, your mouth will adapt to the braces so you will no longer need the saltwater or wax.