Book an Appointment
(03) 9131 1999
Book an Appointment
(03) 9131 1999
Book an Appointment

South Yarra Orthodontics

12 Bond Street, South Yarra, VIC, 3141
Get Directions (03) 9131 1999
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Business Hours
Mon - Fri:
8:00am - 5:00pm

Surgical Orthodontic Treatment

Sometimes when patients come in for orthodontic treatment, we notice they have significant facial imbalance and a severe malocclusion (a misalignment between the sets of teeth), for example, a severe underbite and related recessive lower jaw.

For orthodontic treatment to achieve the best results, a combination of jaw surgery and orthodontic procedures are needed. This means orthognathic (jaw) surgery may be required in conjunction with orthodontic treatment to enable correction of both the facial imbalance and the incorrect bite.

What is surgical orthodontics?

Surgical Orthodontics is a combination approach, which involves both a phase of orthodontic treatment (braces/lingual braces/Invisalign aligners) and jaw surgery to correct both the bite and facial imbalance.

This combination approach enables the correction of the position of the upper and/or lower jaw bones, and improvement of the alignment of the teeth.  In some cases, this combined approach not only improves facial balance and aesthetics but also can improve speech and breathing concerns.

The time frame for surgical orthodontics can vary from 12 months to 30 months depending on the individual case.

When will surgical orthodontic treatment be necessary?

Surgical Orthodontics is necessary when orthodontic treatment alone is not sufficient enough to correct severe alignment and upper/lower jaw relationship problems. In some cases, surgery may be necessary at the start of treatment to enable certain orthodontic movements to occur.

Surgical Orthodontics at South Yarra Orthodontics

When you come into South Yarra Orthodontics, we will be able to assess whether a combined orthodontic/jaw surgery treatment plan is appropriate for you.

If you are a suitable candidate for surgical orthodontics, Dr Theresia Sudjalim will work closely with a trusted Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon to formulate a combined orthodontic-surgical treatment plan for you.

Surgical Orthodontics Melbourne

If you have any questions or want to discuss surgical orthodontics in more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at South Yarra Orthodontics.

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(03) 9131 1999

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Orthodontic FAQ’s

When making the calculations about how long your orthodontic treatment will take, it is notoriously difficult to do so accurately given the fact that your smile is as unique as you are and thus every patient will have a treatment befitting of your situation. It sounds simple enough to say, but the more complex your treatment plan, the longer it will take to implement effectively and to give you the results you desire. On average, though, you can expect your orthodontic treatment to be completed within 12-18 months and if your needs are purely cosmetic then your treatment time could be even shorter than that.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO) recommends that the first visit to your Orthodontist occurs at around the ages of 7-10, or usually when the child has a combination of adult and child teeth.  Treatment is often not needed at such a young age, though it is important that this is determined professionally.

The initial examination will allow your Orthodontist to assess the growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaws and can prevent or minimise future problems from occurring and future orthodontic treatment.

No, a referral is not necessary to see an Orthodontist.  However, a referral from your General Dentist or other Medical Specialist is always welcome as they may have specific concerns, which need to be addressed.

Crowded and skew teeth are difficult to maintain and clean. These irregularities may lead to tooth conditions such as tooth decay and potentially gum disease and tooth loss. Other orthodontic issues may lead to unusual wear on the teeth, difficulty chewing properly, unnecessary stress on bone and gums that support the teeth. This may lead to further issues such as misaligned jaws, which may result in persistent headaches or soreness in the face and neck.

If orthodontic issues are left untreated they often persist and worsen. Specialist care and treatment is often cheaper early on than the supplementary care necessary to maintain the improvements made. Moreover, if left untreated the costlier it would be to get a more serious or complicated procedure done.

The cost of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the treatment, which will be undertaken.  At your initial consultation, your orthodontist will undertake a thorough assessment of your mouth and jaw to determine the extent of the treatment required. Cost and payment plans can then be discussed, as well as the expected treatment time and results.

Yes, here at South Yarra Orthodontics we offer our patients flexible payment plan solutions to suit most family monthly budgets.

To learn more about our payments, call our friendly team today. 

Orthodontic treatment is a specific dental specialty that involves correcting malocclusion, which is the misalignment of a bite or incorrect spacing between the teeth. Invisalign works to move your teeth into their correct positions with the help of almost invisible BPS-free plastic aligners.

Explore our Invisalign page to learn more.

After you have your braces placed, it may take a little while to get used to them. Sometimes the braces may irritate which can cause some discomfort on the inside of the mouth from the edges of the wires, brackets and bands. Orthodontic wax can act as a buffer to relive this discomfort. The wax is a clear, semi hard material usually made of paraffin, bees wax or carnauba and it’s also non-toxic, so there’s no need to worry if you swallow it accidentally.

Using the wax in combination with a salt-water rinse can help to prevent further irritation and manage this discomfort.

Surgical orthodontics is used to treat a number of orthodontic concerns which include:

  • A misaligned bite
  • Jaw malformations
  • Severe malocclusion
  • Other aesthetic concerns

The best way to know for sure if you need surgical intervention is to book in for a consultation with our experienced team today.

These two professionals are similar in what they do. A dentist can perform treatments like fillings, crowns, sealants, root canals, bridges and general gum care. Dental or oral surgeons perform surgeries like soft tissue removals, implant alignment, removal of tumours, complex tooth removals that might include the bone and wisdom tooth removal. While the two can sometimes overlap, your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon if there is a treatment you need that they could facilitate. If you’re unsure on which dental professional you need to see, contact us and we can explain further.