Frequently Asked Questions

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws. After graduating from dental school, they complete three years of specialised post-graduate education in an accredited university program.

Orthodontic treatment involves using braces, plates and other corrective devices to move teeth and jaws into normal alignment. It may involve changing the position of the teeth or modifying the way the jaw grows.

Many orthodontic problems are complex, involving the growth patterns of facial bones and soft tissue facial profiles, as well as alignment of crooked teeth. Treatment of such problems requires the care of an orthodontist with in depth specialist training, a unique understanding of facial growth and many years of experience.

An orthodontist is a specialist who has undertaken additional education and training in straightening teeth and choosing the best treatment option specifically for you, or your child. A general dentist receives broad training across all fields of dentistry. They are not a specialist in moving teeth, and do not have the extensive knowledge of facial growth of the jaw bones which is important in determining you or your child’s treatment plan.

An orthodontist has been specifically trained and is the most qualified person to diagnose, prevent and treat issues to do with the alignment of teeth and jaws and ensure you, or your child, ends up with a smile you love and a bite and jaw that function properly.

Recently, there has been significant advertising about express or fast braces. This may sound appealing compared to traditional orthodontic treatment, but final treatment outcome can be poor, and you may then need a specialist orthodontist to fix the resulting problems, at extra cost to you. At Mehta Orthodontics, we assess each patient individually and develop a tailored treatment plan. Duration of treatment varies from patient to patient, however our emphasis is on providing high quality orthodontic care with a successful outcome.
No, it is not necessary to have a referral from your dentist, but if you do have one, please bring it to your first appointment along with any other documentation, such as x rays.

Every orthodontic situation is different. Comprehensive treatment is approximately 18 to 24 months.

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DEFINITELY! It is very important to continue your regular dental check-ups to prevent and detect dental decay, and to monitor the health of supporting structures. Periodic professional care by your dentist will help maintain overall dental health and prevent dental disease.

You will find your first visit to our practice to be very thorough and complete. Your first visit allows the Mehta Orthodontics team to meet you and discuss the reasons for your visit. We will carry out a complete examination and explain to you the different orthodontic options available to you and answer any questions you may have. If you require orthodontic treatment, we will collect orthodontic records at your first appointment. These may include moulds of the mouth, digital photographs and digital x-rays. We allocate 45 minutes to 1 hour for your first visit.

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Orthodontic records include moulds of the mouth, digital photographs and digital x-rays of the teeth and facial bones.
Our staff are very experienced at scheduling appointments at times convenient to you and/or your children. We share your concern about your child missing school or you missing work, and will make every effort to ensure that you will have appointments scheduled at times that work for you. Our treatment co-ordinators will discuss the type and length of time required for each of the necessary appointments in your treatment plan.
You can rest easy knowing that orthodontic emergencies do not occur all that often and can usually be managed during office hours. However, in the unlikely event that urgent care is required after hours, Mehta Orthodontics has you covered and offers an after-hours service to all patients.
There are a number of things to consider when understanding the costs associated with orthodontic care. Firstly, every patient’s situation is different so it is hard to provide an accurate cost of treatment without a proper consultation and evaluation of the patient. Fees also vary with the type of treatment required and the length of treatment. Secondly, orthodontic care often eliminates the need for other dental and medical treatment, thus reducing overall health care costs. Thirdly, we ensure our orthodontic treatments are affordable through our convenient interest free payment plans. Considering the benefits of orthodontic treatment can last a lifetime, the cost is quite modest. Read More…
No. We are sensitive to your financial circumstances and handle all financial discussions with the utmost discretion and care. Our treatment co-ordinators will create a convenient interest-free payment plan tailored to your individual needs. The fees for orthodontic treatment are based on the type of treatment and the estimated length of treatment.
Yes. Whilst we do not have a direct relationship with any private health fund, we will help you to receive the maximum benefit from your health fund. Every health fund is different and your level of cover will determine the rebate you receive. We will provide the necessary information so that you can ensure you maximise your rebate. Always check with your health fund and discuss your cover with us.

Properly positioned teeth are much easier to care for and clean and reduce the risk of decay if properly cared for.

Correction of the bite, in addition to helping with improved chewing and speech, also plays an important role in reducing future wear of the teeth (a significant problem in adults which is much harder to treat) and stress on the supporting bone and jaw joints, which is linked to a myriad of health conditions such as headaches.

Finally, after many years of helping children to become proud of their smile; great looking teeth that function properly have profound effects on your child’s self-confidence, self-image and self-esteem.

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Many of our adult patients are being treated for orthodontic problems that were not corrected when they were children. These individuals realise that by improving the health of their mouth and the attractiveness of their smile and facial appearance often results in changes for the better in their personal, social and professional lives.
You are never too old. For those who can benefit from orthodontic treatment, age is not a factor. In fact, many people in their mature or senior years have orthodontic treatment as part of a comprehensive strategy to replace missing teeth. Orthodontic treatment in adults also can increase the life and use of their natural teeth thereby prolonging any need for dentures.
For some sports, a mouth guard may be required. Talk with Dr Mehta about the right protective mouth guard for the sport being played. Regarding musical instruments, it may take a week or two to get used to playing with braces, but most people soon forget they are wearing them when playing. There are protective devices available to assist with some musical instruments. Please talk with Dr Mehta for more information.