Braces & Orthodontics in Melbourne

You are never too young or too old to get the smile you love.

How do braces work?

Braces are used to correct what is usually referred to as a “malocclusion”. This is often the result of crooked and crowded teeth, but may also be due to an uneven bite such as an over or under bite and other jaw problems. Braces apply continuous pressure to the teeth, which aligns them towards their ideal position. As the teeth move, the bone structure beneath also adapts to help maintain the new position.

Braces at Fine Smiles Dental

As a leading dental practice in Footscray, we provide personalised, high-quality care and a full range of orthodontic services for you and your family. Whether you're exploring braces for yourself or your child, our professional team is here to support you throughout the process.

Why start early?

Early-treatment orthodontics is a philosophy designed to guide and utilise your child’s own natural growth to establish a healthy smile and potentially avoid lengthy and more complex orthodontic treatment in the future.

Typically, the average age for a child to get braces is 12 years old, when the adult teeth have erupted, but it can vary based on the individual child's needs. It can be beneficial to get an orthodontic assessment at around age 7-9 during your regular check-ups. This is when their adult teeth are erupting, and your child's jaw is still growing, allowing for effective early treatment if required.

Dentist performing orthodontic treatment

What happens during your child's dental visit?

During your child's regular dental visits, our dentists will monitor their dental development, keeping you informed if there are any orthodontic issues that may benefit from treatment. Common issues we look out for include:

  • Crowded or protruding teeth – misaligned teeth that can affect both aesthetics and function.
  • Bite discrepancies – including open bite, deep bite, crossbite, and underbite.
  • Abnormal eruption of teeth – teeth that come in at the wrong position or angle.
  • Unwanted oral habits - thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, which can affect proper dental development.

If left untreated, these conditions can have a significant impact on your child’s facial growth and development so addressing these early helps to ensure long-term stability of their adult teeth.

Am I too old for braces?

Many adults have spent years feeling self-conscious about their smile, believing it is “too late” to straighten their teeth and achieve that beautiful smile.

While orthodontic treatment is often associated with teenagers, advancements in dental technology have made it possible for adults of all ages to benefit from braces. Today, more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment to address concerns such as crooked teeth, misalignment, bite issues, and overcrowding. No matter your age, achieving a healthier, more confident smile is always an option.

Modern advancement in braces

When you think of someone wearing braces, the image of silver or coloured metal brackets across their teeth probably comes to mind. However, recently there have been several advancements in orthodontic treatment that improve aesthetics as well as treatment outcome.

Our dentists offer a range of modern options for orthodontic braces, including:

If the thought of having metal braces doesn't appeal to you, clear aligner orthodontic treatment has improved significantly. We are proud to be Platinum provider of Invisalign® and we also provide our own custom in-house aligner system.

Your straighter smile starts here!

Before deciding on an orthodontic solution for yourself or your child, it is important you consult with a professional so you are able to make an informed decision. For complex cases, we may recommend a visit to a Specialist Orthodontist, which we can arrange via referral.

We are currently offering a Complimentary Express Consultation for orthodontic & cosmetic treatments. During this 20-minute appointment, our dentists will assess your smile and walk you through all your options and help to answer any questions you may have.

Book online or fill out the form below to get started!

Enquire Today

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If you’d like to talk to us sooner, please call us at (03) 9689 4477.

Fine Smiles Dental Team
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