FAQs: Your Orthodontic Questions, Answered

An orthodontist is a dentist who has undertaken three years of full time specialist training in the field of orthodontics. This is in addition to the five years spent training as a general dentist. Orthodontists are specialists in diagnosing, preventing, and treating problems relating to the alignment of your teeth and jaws.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) recommends that your child should have an orthodontic consultation by age 7. This is to assess the development of their teeth and jaws.

Most often, no orthodontic treatment is required at this age, but your orthodontist will continue to review and monitor your child’s dental development.

Early assessment with an orthodontist can help prevent more serious problems and complications down the road and let you know when the optimal time for orthodontic treatment is for your child.

No referral is needed to see an orthodontist - you can book directly with us.

However, it’s important to have a general dental check-up before starting treatment. This helps identify and address any dental issues that may need attention first, ensuring the best possible foundation for your orthodontic care.

Extractions are only recommended in a small number of cases. They’re typically considered when there is severe crowding or when straightening the teeth without extractions would cause them to protrude unnaturally.

Our orthodontist will carefully assess your smile and only suggest extractions if they’re truly necessary for the best outcome. This is why a consultation is needed.

Orthodontic treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Costs can vary depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

The best way to get an accurate quote is through a consultation, where we assess your smile and outline your options. We also offer flexible payment plans to help make treatment more affordable and accessible.

Absolutely not! You’re never too old to improve your smile. As long as your teeth and gums are healthy, orthodontic treatment can be just as effective for adults as it is for teens.

Book a consultation and we’ll assess your smile and create a personalised treatment plan just for you.

Every smile is different, so treatment times can vary. On average, comprehensive treatment with braces or aligners takes between 12 and 24 months.

At your consultation, we’ll assess your needs and provide a personalised estimate based on your treatment plan.

Braces shouldn’t be painful, but it’s normal to feel some tenderness after they’re first fitted or adjusted. This usually settles within a few days.

Sticking to soft foods and using over-the-counter pain relief can help ease any discomfort.

If a bracket comes loose, give us a call and we’ll book a time to repair it. You can also message the clinical team on the Dental Monitoring app Monday - Friday.

It’s not an emergency, so there’s no need to worry - but it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible to help keep your treatment on track.

Yes, you can absolutely keep playing sports while having treatment. If you play contact sports and wear braces, you’ll need to wear a mouthguard to help protect your teeth and appliance.

We recommend a mouldable mouthguard that can be adjusted as your teeth move throughout treatment, these are available from the L&L Orthodontics online store and as a patient you receive 10% off purchases.

In most cases, you can continue playing your instrument without any problems. If you're using Spark clear aligners, you can simply remove them while playing - just remember to pop them back in afterwards.

If you have specific concerns, feel free to ask us at your appointment and we’ll be happy to guide you.

Yes, regular dental check-ups and cleans are essential while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your dentist helps keep your teeth and gums healthy, which supports the success of your orthodontic care.