Have questions about orthodontic treatment? Explore these frequently asked questions. Discover more about the benefits of orthodontics and what to expect with treatment.
We've created a leading orthodontic practice by combining clinical experience and cutting-edge technology with a caring team dedicated to providing professional advice and quality service.
We strive to earn the trust of new patients by providing the same personalised orthodontic care that our returning patients and families have enjoyed for many years.
Our practice is a warm and friendly environment and we pride ourselves in taking the time to explain our procedures each step of the way. The more you know about your treatment, the better the results.
Wellington Orthodontic Associates is NZAO accredited.
We recommend that children first see an orthodontist as early as age nine and even earlier if a parent or the family dentist discovers a problem. The timing of orthodontic treatment may be extremely important and greatly affects the treatment options and result.
Whatever the age of the patient, our goal is to provide the best and most stable results possible, while minimising treatment time in braces. Both children and adults can fully appreciate the return on the orthodontic investment – a great smile, improved self-confidence and better dental health.
Each person’s orthodontic problem is different and requires personalised attention.
Your first visit to our practice is an important opportunity for us to get to know you and what you want to accomplish. The orthodontist will perform a comprehensive orthodontic examination to determine the status of your orthodontic health. No active treatment will be carried out at this visit.
If it's determined that orthodontic care is necessary, we will make a recommendation based on your specific situation, explaining the procedures involved and how long treatment should take. We will also provide you with the likely cost of treatment.
The initial consultation fee for patients 11 to 20 years of age $140. Consultation fees include GST. For this you receive a clear explanation of the problem, the treatment needed to correct the problem and the likely cost of the treatment.
Orthodontic treatment is an excellent investment in the overall dental, medical and psychological wellbeing of children and adults. We realise that families and individuals have different needs fulfilling their financial obligations.
At Wellington Orthodontic Associates we offer fixed price contracts covering the total cost of treatment, together with an easy, interest-free payment plan. If we do not believe any treatment is necessary, we will tell you so.
We accept payments by EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard and internet banking.
Successful orthodontic treatment requires a series of appointments. We will work with you to arrange appointments around work and school schedules as much as possible. In the event that you need to reschedule an appointment, we ask that you contact our office as soon as possible.
We schedule appointments on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:15am to 5:00pm and Thursday: 1:30 to 5:00pm.
Patients coming in for an initial consultation should plan on an hour long appointment. Progress checks are 15 – 30 minutes in length.
The length of treatment varies depending on the nature of the problem, but most treatment takes between fifteen months and two years to complete.
Don't' worry, most orthodontic treatment doesn't involve drilling into the teeth or jaw but instead involves fitting braces or other appliances to the outside of the teeth. Braces use gentle pressure to move teeth over time.
You may, however, experience some discomfort after some parts of the treatment. The level of discomfort varies between individuals and this can be relieved with a mild over-the-counter pain reliever.
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the growth and development of the teeth and jaws. Most orthodontic treatment involves straightening the teeth to improve the appearance and/or to overcome problems concerned with the teeth not meeting properly.
The following outline describes how orthodontic emergencies / repairs are handled for patients wearing orthodontic appliances. Emergencies while wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances fall into two categories:
Direct injuries to the mouth or teeth
Emergencies related to orthodontic appliances