Orthodontics and Invisalign at Core Dental Melbourne product guide

ORTHODONTICS & INVISALIGN

Invisalign - clear aligners

What it involves

Invisalign uses a series of custom-designed clear removable plastic aligners to gradually move your teeth. Each aligner is worn for 7-14 days before you move to the next one. The system is virtually invisible, completely removable for eating and cleaning, and has developed to the point where it can treat cases that once required braces.

None holds Blue Diamond Invisalign Provider status - the highest tier in Australia - completing 750+ Invisalign cases per year across all 9 locations.

Invisalign tiers

The process

1. Free consultation to assess suitability
2. iTero 3D digital scan - no messy impressions; creates an exact digital model of your teeth in minutes
3. ClinCheck preview - you see your projected final result before committing to treatment
4. Aligners made and delivered; change each set as instructed
5. Progress reviews every 6-8 weeks
6. Retainers fitted at completion (included in the quoted price) - essential to maintain results

Who performs it at None

Invisalign is provided by trained general dentists for Express, Lite, and Moderate tiers, and by specialist orthodontists for Comprehensive cases. Complex cases are managed by registered specialist orthodontists via the Collins Street Specialist Centre.

Technology used

• iTero scanner: real-time 3D digital impression; also simulates tooth movement and gum health over time via the Outcome Simulator
• Trios scanner (available at select locations)
• ClinCheck digital treatment planning software

Rules to follow

• Wear aligners 22 hours per day - remove only for eating, drinking anything other than plain water, brushing, and flossing
• Coffee, tea, juice, and soft drink stain aligners and create a sugar/acid environment around your teeth
• Brush your teeth, or at minimum rinse your mouth, before reinserting aligners after eating

Aftercare

Retainers are non-negotiable. Teeth will shift without them - that's biology. Most patients wear retainers nightly indefinitely.

What's distinctive

• Free consultation to assess suitability
• 5% price match guarantee against any comparable specialist orthodontist quote
• Blue Diamond status means access to the full Invisalign product range and priority support from Align Technology

FAQs

• Can Invisalign fix my bite? Yes - modern Invisalign treats overbite, underbite, crossbite, and deep bite effectively in most cases. Severe discrepancies may need combination treatment.
• What if I lose an aligner? Replacement aligners are available at $100 AUD per set.
• Does it hurt? New aligners cause pressure for 1-3 days as teeth begin to move - this is expected and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
• Can I whiten while doing Invisalign? Yes - you can use whitening gel in your aligners while straightening.

Traditional braces (metal & clear ceramic)

What it involves

Brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth and connected by an archwire that is progressively tightened to guide teeth into alignment. Adjusted every 6-8 weeks.

• Metal braces: the most affordable option; highly effective for complex cases; suitable for all ages
• Clear/ceramic braces: tooth-coloured brackets and clear wire; nearly invisible from 2-3 metres; slightly higher cost

Braces cannot be removed by the patient, so diet restrictions apply: avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods - nuts, crusty bread, lollies, chewing gum, hard raw vegetables - anything that can dislodge brackets or bend wires.

Best suited for: complex bite and alignment cases; patients where Invisalign cannot fully achieve the desired result; children and teenagers.

Visits expected: monthly or 6-8 weekly adjustments for the duration of treatment, typically 12-24 months.

Lingual (internal) braces

What it involves

Brackets are fitted to the back (tongue side) of the teeth, so they're completely hidden from view. The mechanism and effectiveness are the same as conventional braces - the only difference is that nobody can see them.

Performed by specialist-trained orthodontists only. Speech may change slightly at first, with the tongue typically adapting within 2-4 weeks.

Best suited for: patients who need significant tooth movement but can't or don't want visible braces, including those with professional image requirements.

Children's orthodontics

When to start

The Australian Society of Orthodontics recommends every child has their first orthodontic assessment at age 6-7, when permanent teeth are beginning to emerge. Early assessment can guide jaw growth, prevent more complex problems later, and in some cases reduce or eliminate the need for braces in adolescence.

What early orthodontics addresses

• Tooth eruption problems (blocked or ectopic teeth)
• Crossbites (upper teeth sitting inside lower teeth)
• Significant overcrowding
• Jaw growth discrepancies
• Habits affecting tooth alignment - thumb-sucking, mouth-breathing, tongue thrust
• Snoring and airway issues (in collaboration with ENT and sleep specialists)

Treatment options for children

• Removable orthopaedic plates (from age 6-8): gentle arch expansion, worn at home
• Space maintainers: when a baby tooth is lost early, a space maintainer holds the space for the adult tooth coming through
• Invisalign Teen: the same system as adult Invisalign, with wear compliance indicators and spare aligners included
• Traditional metal or clear braces: most appropriate once all permanent teeth have erupted

What's distinctive

None's clinical team is trained to identify early orthodontic issues during routine check-up appointments and refer at the right time, which can save families from more complex and costly treatment later on.