Family Health
DO YOU THINK YOUR CHILD WILL NEED BRACES? Your child’s big front teeth have just come through and as they’ve been growing, you’re watching and wondering… will my child need braces? If you have a million questions about when to start the process, we’ve got the answers!
Getting braces
The Editor of Families Magazine was in this position recently, so we gate crashed her appointment with Image Orthodontics at Nundah, and the lovely Dr Sep, Senior Lecturer: Griffith University answered all our questions.
> Invisible braces
At what age should you see an Orthodontist?
If you suspect your child needs braces, they should be visiting an orthodontist at around age 8. This is the official recommendation by Australian society of Orthodontist and Dr Sep explains why: At this point, most children have some of their permanent teeth, but their mouths are still developing, giving the orthodontist a chance to step in and intervene if any treatment/prevention is needed before the braces are needed at age 10 to 13. “More often than not, the kids don’t need any treatment at this age” says Dr Sep. Image Orthodontics advises: > The first appointment should be at age 8 > Follow up appointments will be scheduled every 6 to 12 months (normally yearly) > The cost is $90 for the first appointment (discounted to $45* for Families Magazine readers) > NO further charges for the follow up appointments until (if or) when your child needs treatment! The reason for this? The initial planning will make it easier later and may reduce the amount of time that braces will need to be worn.
The first appointment with an orthodontist
The first thing to note is that you DON’T need a referral from a doctor or dentist, you can simply go ahead and book an appointment with Image Orthodontics. Given the purpose of the first appointment is to document the current status of your child’s mouth and teeth, you will be asked to get some X-rays done prior to coming in.
As previously mentioned, the ideal time to get braces is around 10 – 13 years of age (typically 12 years for girls and 13 years for boys).
Choosing braces Once you have decided to go ahead, the first step is choosing the appropriate system: > The typical metal braces > Coloured braces > Invisalign for teenagers > Insignia: braces that are custom made for each individual
How long do braces stay on?
If you do everything at the right time, braces or invisible braces will usually stay on for around 9 to 18 months. During this time, you will see the orthodontist (roughly) every 6 to 8 weeks.
What happens when the braces are removed?
Once the braces are removed your child will need to have either a fixed or removable retainer for 3 years. By following this process, it ensures that the result will “stay” and their growth and development won’t undo the work that has been done.
The cost of braces
Most orthodontists require an upfront lump sum payment, with the rest of the payment happening during treatment. Image Orthodontist, however, allows you to spread the cost over 3 years (with no initial payment and no interest). The price is fixed and starts from $45 per week. This amount will include the cost of retainers and follow up appointments for three years.
In summary
Keep in mind, the age of your child DOES matter. It’s best to start the process at age 8 to ensure that any pre-treatment can be done, helping to make it easier later and potentially minimise the amount of time that braces will be worn. Secondly, by ensuring that your child is wearing braces at age 10-13, you’re making the process a lot easier (rather than leaving it until they are older) by giving the orthodontist the chance to use their growth spurt to their advantage. Contact Image Orthodontics on 07 3260 6855 NOW to book your child’s no obligation, assessment for the discounted price of $45 (instead of $90) if you tell them Families Magazine sent you! Visit the Image Orthodontics website www.imageorthodontics.com.au
> You don’t need an appointment for the X-rays, the orthodontist will let them know you are coming > There is no charge, the X-rays are covered by Medicare > They will give you the X-rays immediately, so you’ll have them for your appointment.
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Your Local Families Magazine August/September 2017
*Offer ends 3 October 2017.