The first appointment
When you book your initial consultation, we will email you some information, including a medical history form to complete before your appointment and an x-ray referral if you have NOT had these x-rays taken in the last 12 months. At your very first appointment, we will:
- Complete a full orthodontic examination, including a full assessment of your face, smile, and bite.
- We will analyze your diagnostic x-rays so we can see what is going on beneath your gums.
- We will take some digital photographs of your face, smile, and teeth to show you what we’re looking at and better discuss what is happening.
Would you please allow 45 minutes for this assessment. There will be enough time at your appointment to take a 3D digital scan and smile simulation should you wish to proceed with treatment on the same day.
Fees and Payment Options
The cost of your orthodontic treatment will depend on your individual needs. We will discuss this with you before treatment begins and provide a comprehensive quote.
We offer interest-free payment plans, and we accept all major credit cards. We offer a discounted rate for siblings and family members.
Health Fund Rebates:
If you have private health cover for orthodontics and are entitled to a rebate from your health fund, please note that your quote and any deposit/health fund rebate are subject to the terms and conditions of your policy. It remains the account holder’s responsibility to contact their health fund provider to obtain individual information and confirm the amount that can be claimed.
Some questions you may want to ask your private health insurance company to see if you are eligible for a rebate:
- Does my plan cover orthodontic treatment?
- Are there any age restrictions on my orthodontic cover?
- Does my plan cover clear aligners? If they ask you for an Item number, give the Item 825
- Are there any out-of-pocket charges (GAP) I will be responsible for?
- What is the process for me to file a claim for a rebate from my plan?
- What is the lifetime limit on my policy and my annual limit?
- Does my rebate recalculate every calendar year or financial year?
- How much can I claim each year for my orthodontic treatment, and what is the process?
Clear Orthodontic Studio does not file health insurance claims. It is essential to understand what your insurance company will require from you to be reimbursed accurately and directly to you.
When you decide to go ahead with treatment, we will provide you with all the information required by health insurance companies to file your claim.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please call our team at Clear Orthodontic Studio on (08) 6225 5010
Starting treatment:
Fitting Braces
This appointment will take 60 minutes. Initially, Dr. Christoph will clean and polish your teeth; cheek retractors and cheek pads are placed to provide a dry field and make it easier to visualize the teeth. Your teeth are air-dried, and a blue conditioner is placed onto the front surfaces of the teeth for about 60 seconds. The conditioner is rinsed, and teeth are again dried using suction and air. A primer is applied to the teeth, and composite resin is applied to the back of the brackets.
With the direct bonding method, brackets are bonded one after another; with the indirect bonding method, all brackets are held within a tray and bonded all at once. Brackets are placed in an exact position onto your teeth, and then a bright blue light is used to “cure” the composite resin.
The cheek retractor is removed, and the wires are placed, together with any coloured or clear modules, you decided on. If you would like another colour, this will be possible at your next adjustment appointment. Instructions on how to look after your braces, brush and floss your teeth, and what to do if something happens will be provided together with a “goodie” bag. Your next appointment will be in 6-8 weeks.
Clear aligners
This appointment will be 60 minutes. Clear aligners sometimes require further “grip,” and white composite resin attachments of different shapes and sizes must be bonded to your teeth. Initially, Dr. Christoph will clean and polish your teeth; cheek retractors and cheek pads are placed to provide a dry field and make it easier to visualize the teeth. Your teeth are air-dried, and a blue conditioner is placed onto the front surfaces of the teeth for about 60 seconds. The conditioner is rinsed, and teeth are again dried using suction and air. A primer is applied onto teeth, white composite resin is inserted into a bonding tray; that tray is placed onto your teeth, and a bright blue light is used to “cure” the composite resin.
Dr. Christoph will insert your first aligner and check its fit, and then it will be your turn to practise “getting them in and out.”
You will be given all of your aligners, and you will be changing them every week. Instructions on how to care for your aligners and a “goodie” bag will be given before you leave.
At this appointment, we will set you up with the “Dental monitoring” app. Dental monitoring is a technology that allows our team to monitor your treatment remotely. Instead of coming into our studio often, we can track your progress. This means you don’t need to find as much time in your schedule for orthodontic appointments.
Regular adjustments:
Braces
This visit will usually take around 15 minutes. Dr. Christoph will check on the progress of your treatment and adjust your braces accordingly; he may change wires or rebond a bracket if it needs to be in a different position. New modules will be placed so that you can choose new colours!
We appreciate your valuable time, and we strive to keep your appointments as convenient as possible with the least waiting time.
Clear aligners
This visit will usually take around 15 minutes. Dr. Christoph will check on the progress of your treatment. He may rebond an attachment if it is worn or needs to be in a different position.
We appreciate your valuable time, and we strive to keep your appointments as convenient as possible with the least waiting time.
Finishing treatment:
Braces
At your last adjustment appointment, everything should look “Schmick,” and everybody should be happy. You will be asked to book in for a “final check visit,” which will take around 15 minutes. Dr. Christoph will double-check that you’re ready to get your braces off, and he will take some small impressions. Your retainer wires will be made in the laboratory.
Around one week later, you will come to your “deband” appointment. This visit will take around 60 minutes. Dr. Christoph will triple-check that everything is fine, and then, after cleaning your teeth, he will bond your retainer wires to the back of your front teeth. He will proceed with the removal of your braces by using special pliers. You will hear a cracking noise coming from the composite resin detaching from your teeth; don’t worry, your teeth are safe!
Polishing is next; we will remove the composite resin attached to your teeth by using different polishing burs. This procedure is generally well-tolerated, but occasionally some teeth can be slightly sensitive to the airflow. Just let Dr. Christoph know, and he will adjust the handpiece.
You’re almost done, and unless you’d like the edges of your teeth reshaped, impressions will be taken to get your nighttime retainers made. You will collect those retainers at your next appointment.
Aligners
You will be asked to book in for a “final check visit,” which will take around 15 minutes. At that visit, everything should feel and look perfect, and everybody should be happy. Dr. Christoph will double-check that you’re ready to finish your treatment, and he will take some small impressions. Your retainer wires will be made in the laboratory.
Around one week later, you will come to your “deband” appointment. This visit will usually take around 45 minutes. Dr. Christoph will triple-check that everything is fine, and then, after cleaning your teeth, he will bond your retainer wires to the back of your front teeth. He will proceed with the removal of your attachments by polishing them off by using different polishing burs. This procedure is generally well-tolerated, but occasionally some teeth can be slightly sensitive to the airflow. Just let Dr. Christoph know, and he will adjust the handpiece.
You’re almost done, and unless you’d like the edges of your teeth reshaped, impressions will be taken to get your nighttime retainers made. You will collect those retainers at your next appointment.