Treatment without braces

Achieving straight teeth without braces involves treating the causes of crooked teeth early. Childhood habits including thumb sucking, mouth breathing and reverse swallowing are thought to contribute to narrowing of the the arch. Early interceptive dentofacial orthopaedics is an alternative treatment to waiting until the teeth are crooked and removing teeth to create the room to allow for braces to straighten the teeth.

The preventive approach results in keeping your child’s teeth and developing a fuller more beautiful face by using techniques to retrain the bad habits and expand the arch with the use of a series of soft flexible orthopaedic dental appliances. Treating at this early stage often reduces the need for braces and can correct the causes of a bad bite.

Introduction Video

Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age. Because Multicare dentists specialise in providing the proper treatment for children of these ages, we are trained to recognize, prevent and treat these early problems in an age-appropriate way. Guiding dental growth and development is part of the individualized plan that we tailor specifically to fit your child’s needs. Orthodontic treatment can be accomplished in several stages:

Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Mouthbreathing, reverse swallow and objects placed inside the mouth like a poorly shaped pacifier can also contribute. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.

Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns deal with poor jaw relationships, crowding and dental realignment problems. When indicated, this is an excellent stage to start treatment because your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.

Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship. Although various problems can be treated or reduced in the first two stages of treatment, working closely with the orthodontist during this stage is important. The goal is that your child has a beautiful, healthy smile for life.

The cost of braces and the cost of early orthodontics including dentofacial orthopaedics is similar, however treatment time is usually longer with early treatment as this involves the growth of the bones to be guided into the correct position rather than removing teeth and using arch wires (braces). For the exact treatment plan and the cost of treatment for orthopaedic orthodontics it is recommended to have a consultation first and a professional dental care program will be prescribed based on the individual needs. The cost of treatment can be claimed from private health funds, and at Multicare we have flexible payment options so you can get the best treatment when its needed.
Health fund item codes for dentofacial orthopaedics

Each health fund has a different level of reimbursement based on your level of coverage to assist you in claiming these are the commonly used item numbers, so you can determine your reimbursement.

The item number for the consultation is: 015 ($100)

The item numbers for Plates:

821 ~ Plate (per plate – multiple plates are given over the course of treatment)

871 ~ Six weekly review visits ($300)

071 ~ Study models

072 ~ Photographic records

073 ~ Photographic records

The item numbers for the Myobrace are:

823 ~ Myobrace (multiple appliances are given over 2+ years)

071 ~ Study models

072 ~ Photographic records

073 ~ Photographic records

For further information or to make an appointment please call 96591200 and we look forward to assisting you.