FAQ

Orthodontics (also referred to as dento-facial orthopedics) can be undertaken at any age and is a specialized form of dentistry focusing on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial abnormalities. Dento-facial orthopedics (growth modification) is especially advantageous during pre-adolescence and adolescence when children are undergoing rapid growth and this growth can often be modified to correct skeletal and orthodontic problems. This early intervention will eliminate problems such as dental crossbites (increased tooth wear), habits (i.e. thumbsucking, tongue thrusting, etc) and reduce or correct large overbites and protrusive teeth, which are at increased risk to trauma and often result in ‘teasing’ by their piers.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has received at least three years of additional training and experience and attained a Masters Degree in Orthodontics. Your orthodontist is able to straighten teeth, correct misaligned jaw structure and facial asymmetries, improve function and enhance your smile. This creates a healthy oral environment with long lasting teeth and happy smiles. It is highly recommended to see a Specialist Orthodontist before undertaking any comprehensive orthodontic treatment.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of seven. Orthodontic treatment however is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21(young and mature adults).
If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, improve a facial asymmetry or restore a poor or ill-fitting bite (with resultant tooth wear and fracture, tempero-mandibular dysfunction (TMD) or poor function), then any age can be a great age to see a Specialist Orthodontist.

Over the past 15 years, Dr Steve Stramotas has invested time and years of continued education training to make our practice cutting edge and provide the best service possible to our patients. This has been accompanied by in-house training on a regular basis for our staff, whom are highly qualified, efficient, gentle and friendly.
Our practice is now fully digitized, making treatment planning more accurate and treatment outcomes more predictable, yielding better results and shorter treatment times.The range of choice of appliances for patients young and old is vast. Dr Stramotas specializes in Early Intervention in young children and adolescents and Invisible orthodontics for young and mature adults. We use 3D cone beam technology to assist with diagnosis and treatment planning, intra-oral digital scanning to plan and prepare your braces and robotically bent orthodontic wires using the digital Suresmile system, resulting for faster and more efficient tooth movement. Incognito lingual braces are full customized and are individualized to patient’s needs, are low profile, highly polished, comfortable, predictable, quick and efficient. Invisalign aligner technology also forms a large part of our practice and is used in patients’ suited to this type of treatment.These are accompanied by exceptional service with highly trained staff assisting me both in the clinic and at the front desk. We hope to make your orthodontic experience a special and pleasant one and look forward to meeting you.

Simply call our practice (02 9398 5255 or email us here)

Our competent and friendly front desk staff will be happy to help schedule your next appointment at your convenience. If you are a new patient or have been referred to our practice (remember no referrals required), please let us know. We will provide you with all the information you need know in order to make your decision on treatment and also to make your orthodontic journey as pleasant and as comfortable as possible.

• ALWAYS remember to rinse your teeth after every meal and brush and floss at least twice a day. Make sure to use toothpaste that contains fluoride and continue to see your family dentist on a regular 6 monthly basis during treatment.
• If you take your retainer out to eat, make sure you rinse your teeth before re-inserting and keep it safe in the container so that it does not get lost or broken.
• Keep your retainer clean by brushing it gently with a toothbrush and cold water. Do not put your retainer in boiling water or in the dishwasher.
• During your treatment, try to avoid foods with a lot of sugar, avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard sweets, nuts, ice cubes) or any foods that could possibly get stuck in or cause breakages to your braces.

Braces or Aligners are appliances used by your orthodontist to move teeth and jaws into position in order to help you improve your bite as well as the look and feel of your teeth and smile. There are several different types of braces to choose from including:

• Clear or CERAMIC braces
• Traditional metal SPEED braces
• SELF-LIGATING braces
• INCOGNITO Lingual (hidden behind the teeth) braces
• INVISALIGN type Sequential Aligners
• SURESMILE digital orthodontic Systems

The amount of time spent in braces will vary depending on the patient’s concerns, their problems and treatment goals. Every individual will respond differently to treatment. Treatment time may vary anywhere between six months for mild crowding recurring in previously treated cases to 15-24 months for more complex orthodontic problems. Most standard treatment times range between 15-18 months.

Braces do not often hurt, though you may feel some discomfort for a few days as your teeth, gums, cheeks and mouth adapt to your new braces. Braces may result in a short adaptation period of 1-2 weeks where your speech and chewing ability are temporarily slightly affected.

Yes! In fact it is even more important that patients receiving orthodontic treatment visit their dentist regularly. With braces food may be caught in places that your toothbrush cannot reach. This causes bacteria to build up which may lead to cavities and gingivitis. Your dentist will work closely with us to ensure that your teeth stay clean and healthy while the orthodontic treatment is underway.

Playing an instrument or a contact sport may require some adjustment when you first get your braces. Wearing braces however will not stop you from participating in any of your school, work, musical or sporting activities. If you play a contact sport, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth, soft tissues and the braces themselves.