Category: News

It is very important to keep away from certain foods during your orthodontic treatment. Eating anything hard, sticky or chewy can cause brackets to break, bands to loosen, bending/breaking of the arch wire and can even cause tooth decay. Foods high in sugar such as soft drink and lollies, cause bacteria in your mouth to start producing acids which can cause permanent stains, decay and damage to your teeth. If at any time you consume anything with high sugar content, make sure you drink and rinse thoroughly with water or simply brush your teeth immediately after. Some examples of foods to avoid are: Biting into apples or carrots (it is ok to cut them into small pieces) Corn on the cob Ice (great for keeping your drink cold, but not good to crunch on with braces) Nuts Meat that may be on a bone Pork crackling Popcorn Hard candy Bagels, crusty bread or crunchy pizza crusts Muesli bars Chewy lollies (of any kind) Hard block chocolate, M&M’s, chocolate bars etc Caramels or fudge Chewing gum or bubble gum Picking at your braces with your fingers or biting on your fingernails is not a good idea. Also chewing on items such as pens or pencils can break brackets and bend wires, so avoid doing this. Any damage incurred to your braces can prolong your treatment time.        

The Twin Block appliance is a removable functional appliance used to treat patients with excessive protrusion of the upper front teeth. The name “Twin Block” is derived from the fact that the appliance is comprised of separate upper and lower plates with ramps (blocks) that work in tandem. The appliance is very effective when patients are entering their adolescent growth spurt and acts to posture the lower jaw forward to move the teeth into a more harmonious position. A Twin Block is considered more comfortable than some other fixed orthodontic orthopedic appliances. As the appliance is also removable, it is easier to maintain excellent oral hygiene during treatment. Appliances are generally removed when eating and playing sport. Speech can often be affected in the short term (they may experience a slight lisp) but like any other orthodontic appliance, patients will adjust after several days. The appliance is generally worn full time to achieve bite correction. Patients with a Twin Block appliance will see the orthodontist every 8-10 weeks to check progress and adjust the appliance as needed. Treatment time with Twin Blocks is usually 12-18 months, however this will depend on the age and growth pattern of the patient. Early treatment with a functional appliance will often be followed by comprehensive orthodontic treatment with appliances such as braces to achieve ideal alignment and complete bite correction.           Written By Yvette Ding (Orthodontic Therapist)

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for everyone, but when you are having orthodontic treatment, it is even more critical. Braces do not cause demineralisation, decay, gum disease or bad breath, but they can harbor food and plaque and make it harder to brush and floss. There are many types of bacteria that naturally exist in the mouth and in the food that we eat. Bacteria combines with proteins in saliva and creates a sticky film around the teeth and gum line called ‘plaque’, that subsequently allows more and more types of bacteria to attach. The bacteria have certain properties that allow them to produce acid, which can damage the tooth’s outer layer of enamel and underlying layer of dentine, as well as irritate the gums. If nothing disrupts the growth and reproduction of the bacteria (i.e. brushing and flossing), it can lead to a variety of issues including white spot lesions, tooth decay and gum disease. Some early warning signs to look out for are: White or yellow, creamy/sticky/furry film around your teeth and gum line Dull/matte white spots on your teeth (especially around the brackets and gum line) Yellow, brown or orange spots Red, puffy, enlarged, bleeding gums Over time, if the plaque is not removed, it can also harden into a calcified, grainy material called ‘calculus’ or ‘tartar’. It is then unable to be brushed or flossed away and will need to be removed by a dental professional. The formation of calculus can also prevent tooth movement. At Sable and Pepicelli Orthodontists we not only want to help you achieve the most beautiful smile possible, but we also care about the health and well-being of your teeth and gums! At the beginning of treatment, we will give you very precise instructions on how to maintain impeccable oral hygiene and we will monitor this at each appointment. It is extremely important to follow our advice to avoid increased treatment time, or even worse, having to take your braces off before treatment is complete!                                                                                    Can you spot the plaque?   By Angela Liu- Orthodontic Therapist      

After braces are removed, orthodontists will issue retainers to hold and maintain teeth in their final positions.   It is important to wear your retainers to avoid tooth movement. Retainers are worn inside the mouth and sit against the teeth.  If retainers are not cared for and cleaned well, they can harbor bacteria, plaque and create an unpleasant odor.  Therefore, it is really important to keep your retainers clean. Take your retainers out when you eat. Brush with a toothbrush without toothpaste and rinse under cold water at least once a day. Retainers are generally made out of plastic or acrylic. Hot water may distort the shape of retainers. For a further clean, you can soak retainers with a Steradent tablet and water mixture once to twice a week. Alternatively, you can mix 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts cold water and soak for around 30 minutes. Other things to be mindful of: Retainers are removable and they are easy to misplace. They are also costly to replace! Therefore if the retainers are not in your mouth, they need to be kept in a case.  Do not wrap them up in a tissue, place them in your pocket, or leave them lying around. Keep retainers away from pets as they like to chew them. Do not play with retainers, or flip them in and out. Always remember to bring your retainers to every appointment. By Jenifer Wu- Orthodontic Therapist

  How long have you been working at Sable and Pepicelli Orthodontists? 6 weeks. What is your role at Sable and Pepicelli Orthodontists? Orthodontic Therapist. Have you ever had braces? Yes, for 2 years in year 8, but i didn’t wear my retainers and some of my teeth relapsed. Always wear your retainers!! Where did you grow up? I grew up in country Victoria in a town called Warragul. I then moved to the city when I turned 18 to go to university. What is your background? Chinese. I was born in Shanghai and moved to Australia with my parents when I was two years old. Do you speak any other languages? Yes, Mandarin and Shanghainese. My Shanghainese is probably better because that’s what i speak with my parents. What is the most rewarding part about your new job here at Sable and Pepicelli Orthodontists? I really enjoy being part of a passionate, caring team that helps create beautiful smiles that patients are proud of. I especially love seeing the before and after photos. What is your favourite holiday destination and why? So far …  Japan! For the food and shopping. The Culture is also incredible. What are your hobbies? Graphic design, brunching, reading, and playing badminton. What is your favourite restaurant? Sushi Hotaru, Bourke St, Melbourne. They have the best soft shell crab hand rolls ever!! I also love Humble Ray’s for brunch, everything on their menu is delicious. Written by Stephanie

We often have parents ask us “what age should I bring my child in to be seen by the orthodontist – they’re only 8, is that too young?”. Quite the contrary – around 8 years old is the ideal age to first see us. By that age, some of the permanent/adult teeth are beginning to erupt and it is possible to identify unfavourable growth patterns (e.g. crossbites, deep bites etc.), address bad habits (e.g. thumb sucking) or assist front teeth in erupting correctly. Moreover, it provides a good reference point to allow the orthodontist to monitor growth and dental development over time. Often your orthodontist may be able to simply review your child on a regular basis, with the view to treat them when all of their permanent teeth are through. Conversely, early intervention is sometimes required to correct dental problems. Early treatment may not necessarily prevent the need for comprehensive treatment in the future, however, it may simplify later treatment or decrease the length of time spent in care. Additionally, it may help to avoid premature damage or wear to teeth that have erupted unfavourably. Written by Campbell Watson.  

In orthodontics, a mini-screw or temporary anchorage device (TAD) is a small metal implant that acts as a fixed anchorage point to help with more complex orthodontic tooth movement. TAD’s are typically used to aid closure of large spaces, move multiple teeth at the same time, assist with movement of teeth that wouldn’t be otherwise possible with braces alone and/or hold teeth in a fixed position if required. Their small and clever design makes the mini-screw a simple and effective tool to treat difficult cases in a time efficient manner and is well tolerated by patients.