FAQ’s

General FAQ’s

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   Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist?

   No you do not require a referral from your general dentist to consult with us. Many of our patients come to us after being recommended to us by friends and family.

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   Should I join a health fund?

   Here at Sam Wong Orthodontics, we believe that orthodontic treatment should be within the reach of all our patients. Health funds repay some of the cost of orthodontic treatment for members who have the appropriate level of dental insurance.

   We recommend you contact your specific health fund for information on what they will cover for your treatment. After carefully checking the premiums, conditions and level of rebate, work out whether you will be better off with insurance or not.

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   What age should my child be assessed for braces?

   A child should be assessed for early childhood orthodontic treatment as early as age 8. Commencing orthodontic treatment early and while your child is still growing and has some of their baby teeth left, may increase the number of options for treatment.

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   I am an adult. I don't want to wear braces, what are my options?

   Invisalign is an option where you can straighten your teeth invisibly! We will complete a consultation to determine if this treatment option is suitable for your needs.

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   How much do braces cost?

   Braces usually require treatment over many months and multiple appointments. We offer PAYG (pay as you go) payment options.

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   Do you offer payment plans?

   Yes, we have payment plans to spread the payments to suit most budgets.

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   Do I need to see the dentist whilst wearing braces?

   Yes, we strongly recommend you see your dentist every 6 months even while braces are on. braces do not cause decay or gum disease but make plaque control more difficult. It is important for the dentist to check for early signs of decay and maintain healthy gums.

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   Does it hurt to have braces?

   When braces are initially fitted, it is normal to experience some discomfort for a few days after adjustment. Our staff can advise you on how to manage this discomfort.

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   How long does treatment take?

   You will be given an estimate on treatment time.

   You will have been given a time for active fixed appliance treatment. This is an average time and depends on favourable growth, elastic co-operation and regular visits and non breakages.

   Treatment time for traditional braces is estimated at 18 months to 2 years. Treatment using SureSmile can reduce this treatment time by up to 30 percent. The length of treatment time will depend greatly on the severity of your orthodontic case.

   Failure to attend appointments or co-operate will delay treatment. Visits are usually at 6-8 week intervals and will usually take approximately 5-10 minutes per appointment. Longer appointments may be necessary at periods during treatment and may need to be scheduled during school times.

   After the braces have been removed retainer plates are usually necessary to hold the teeth in their corrected positions while the bone hardens after tooth movement. Retention times will vary between individuals.

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    Relapse

    Teeth can have a tendency to move back to their original positions once braces are removed. That is why the use of a retainer (holding plates) is necessary. (take out initially)

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    Rules for Wearing Elastics

    • Elastics must be worn full time or as instructed and replaced every morning or sooner if they break.
    • When eating, elastics desirably should be left on, but if being swallowed remove whilst eating but then replace immediately.
    • Elastics come in varying strengths. They can initially make the teeth sore (NO PAIN – NO GAIN!), however persistence will help to overcome this. In rare instances we can switch to a lighter elastic.

    FAILURE to wear elastics will only prolong the estimated duration of treatment!

SureSmile FAQ’s

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   How does robotic wire bending make my treatment more precise?

   Traditional orthodontic treatment involves your orthodontist bending archwires by hand. SureSmile on the other hand uses robotic technology to bend your archwires according to your unique prescription. The benefit of this is that we can make multiple movements simultaneously.

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   How does SureSmile Treatment Planning Software work?

   The SureSmile Treatment Planning Software allows us to evaluate your treatment options and provides a way we can visually show you the end result and the path your teeth will take during treatment. With SureSmile treatment, your teeth move directly into the desired position without the need for multiple adjustments. The SureSmile Treatment Planning software allows us to track your progress during treatment.

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   Does SureSmile treatment cost extra?

   No, we do not charge our patients extra for the benefits of SureSmile technology.

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   Is my orthodontist still in control of my treatment?

   The 3D tool allows Dr Wong to view and analyse the teeth from any angle. Dr Wong uses this model to simulate the best treatment results and most efficient movement of each tooth.

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   Is SureSmile treatment really less painful than traditional braces?

   The pain experienced by patients is due to the pressure exerted when adjusting wires. SureSmile patients experience less pain since fewer wire adjustments are needed.

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   Is there a risk of damaging my teeth because they're moving faster?

   Using the SureSmile system does not mean your teeth are moving any faster than with traditional treatment. What SureSmile provides is a tool to move teeth simultanously and more directly into the desired position resulting in a shorter treatment time.

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   What are SureSmile Shape Memory Alloy archwires?

   Shape Memory Alloy archwires have been used by orthodontists for the last decade. SureSmile allows an orthodontist to shape these archwires into a customised prescription. The customised movement delivers a precise treatment plan that forces teeth to move more directly into the target position.

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   What's the average length of treatment using the SureSmile system?

   A survey taken in 2007 showed that treatment undertaken with the SureSmile system provides a 30 percent reduction in treatment time. Whereas traditional braces can take up to 2 years, SureSmile treatment can be completed within 12 to 15 months. Your actual treatment time will depend on the severity of your orthodontic condition.