Your Orthodontic FAQs, Answered

Thinking about orthodontic treatment but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or your child, it’s completely normal to have questions before taking that first step. That’s exactly why we’ve put together this page of orthodontic FAQs, so you can feel informed, confident, and ready to move forward.

At Vivaldi Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatment in Dural NSW and Sydney CBD, and our team is here to guide you through every stage of your journey. From your very first consultation to the day you complete treatment, we want the experience to feel as clear and comfortable as possible.

1. Why Should I Choose Vivaldi Orthodontics?

Orthodontic treatment makes permanent changes to your teeth and sometimes even the shape of your face, so it’s crucial that only an orthodontist addresses these changes. Dr. Vivaldi has the education, training, and experience to deliver the right results for our patients.

2. Do I Have to Schedule My First Orthodontic Appointment Through My Dentist?

While general dentists in Sydney and Dural, NSW often refer their patients to a trusted orthodontist, you do not need a dentist referral in order to schedule your initial consultation with us.

3. How Do I Schedule a Consultation at Vivaldi Orthodontics

If you are interested in orthodontic treatment for yourself or your teenager, find the office closest to you and either call or email us. Our front office staff will be happy to schedule one for you and will request some basic information.

4. What Happens at an Initial Consultation?

An initial orthodontic consultation is a fact-finding appointment. You will fill out some light paperwork to help the orthodontist understand your oral health history and get a good idea of your treatment goals. We will take X-rays to get a complete picture of what’s going on in the patient’s mouth unless the patient can provide recent X-rays from the general dentist. Dr. Vivaldi will then perform an examination of the mouth to see how the teeth align and perform.

Once all the information has been gathered, it will be time to start discussing treatment options, including an estimate of how long the treatment will take and a quote for the cost. If the appointment is for a minor child, a parent or legal guardian must be present.

5. Won’t My Teeth Straighten Out Over Time?

Unfortunately, no. In fact, teeth tend to grow more crooked with age, not less. Biting down with misaligned teeth can cause them to shift even further from their ideal position.

6. How Long Does Orthodontic Treatment Last?

The length of treatment depends on each patient’s orthodontic problems, but it typically ranges from 8 months to 2.5 years. The best way to have the shortest possible treatment time is to follow Dr. Vivaldi’s instructions exactly.

7. How Often Will I Have Appointments?

Appointments vary depending on the patient’s needs, but most patients with braces will come in every eight to ten weeks.

8. Do Braces Hurt?

After orthodontic visits, particularly those involving adjustments to braces, your teeth may be sore for a few days as they adjust to the change. Advil or Tylenol can ease the discomfort. Wires and brackets may sometimes rub against the inside of the cheeks and create soreness, but we can trim wires when necessary, and orthodontic wax is a great solution as well.

9. When Is Two-Phase Orthodontic Treatment the Right Choice?

At Vivaldi Orthodontics in Sydney and Dural, NSW, we believe every child’s orthodontic journey should be tailored to their unique dental development needs. Our philosophy is simple: we recommend the treatment approach that will deliver the best long-term results for your child’s smile and oral health.

In many cases, a two-phase orthodontic approach offers significant benefits for your child’s dental development. Early intervention can be particularly valuable when we need to create adequate space for emerging adult teeth, guide jaw growth, or address habits that may impact facial development. By strategically timing treatment during key growth periods, we can often achieve results that wouldn’t be possible once all permanent teeth have erupted.

However, Dr. Vivaldi‘s 21+ years of experience have taught us that not every child requires early intervention. For some patients, waiting until the adult dentition is complete and treating in a single, comprehensive phase produces excellent results with less overall treatment time. This approach can be ideal when the orthodontic issues are primarily related to tooth alignment rather than jaw development.

Our commitment is to thoroughly evaluate each child’s unique situation, considering factors such as:

• Current stage of dental development
• Severity and type of orthodontic issues
• Potential for growth modification
• Long-term stability of results

We invite you to schedule a consultation in which Dr. Vivaldi can assess your child’s specific needs and recommend whether a two-phase approach or a single-phase treatment would provide the optimal outcome for their beautiful, healthy smile.

10. Am I Too Old to Have Braces?

No patient is too old to wear braces! In fact, a quarter of all orthodontic patients are out of their teens, so don’t feel like you missed your chance for straight teeth just because you didn’t get braces in high school!

11. How Will I Brush My Teeth With Braces?

The only difference between brushing with braces and without is that there are a lot more nooks and crannies for food to get stuck and plaque to build up. Be very thorough as you brush and don’t forget to floss!

12. When Should Your Child Be Seen for an Orthodontic Evaluation?

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child’s first orthodontic evaluation be at age 7. For the vast majority of patients, this isn’t the beginning of treatment, but it does allow the doctor to establish a baseline to monitor growth and development and to plan for the optimal time to begin treatment (if needed). 

13. What Happens If a Bracket Breaks?

If a bracket breaks, you should call our office right away to schedule an emergency appointment. We can usually find time to reattach or replace the bracket quickly. Do not wait until your next regular appointment to address a broken bracket, as this could negatively affect your treatment.

14. What Foods Should I Not Eat With Braces?

Some foods you should avoid while your braces are on include ice, hard candy, raw vegetables, and sticky foods (such as caramel and taffy). Instead of eating apples and corn on the cob, you’ll have to stick to apple slices and kernel corn. Eating banned foods is the easiest way to break a bracket, but it can also harm your teeth.

15. Do I Need to See My Dentist While I Have Braces?

Absolutely! Regular dental checkups are always important, especially while you have braces. Your dentist will let you know how often to come in during your orthodontic treatment.

16. Do You Accept Insurance?

At Vivaldi Orthodontics, we accept all insurances and PPO plans. Call for more information about insurance. Make sure you have your insurance information handy when you call.

17. What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, cashier’s checks, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover. If none of these payment methods suits your needs, we also provide payment plans through our office or third-party financing through Denticare. We also offer discounts for those who pay in full at the time of service. If you have any more questions regarding payment methods, please give us a call, and we’ll do our best to find the right solution for you.

Ready to Start Your Smile Journey?

Still have questions that aren’t covered here? We’d love to hear from you. Call our Sydney CBD practice at (02) 8252-7677 or our Dural location at (02) 9651 2085, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help. You can also book a consultation online to meet with Dr. Vivaldi and get personalised answers based on your unique smile goals.

There’s no pressure and no obligation — just an honest conversation about what’s possible for you or your child. We can’t wait to meet you.