It is extremely import to continue retention even after your Invisalign or braces treatment has ended.

What happens at the end of your braces journey?

Your braces finally come off! You’re free, happy, loving life and admiring your new smile. You go through your days with every excuse to show off your perfect, pearly whites. At first, you wear your retainer every evening. Then you come home from a late night out with the girls (or boys) and you jump straight into bed. You’re staying at a friend’s house the night after, so you can’t wear it then either. So the days go on and you’re wearing your retainer less and less. The day you finally put it on, it’s tight and uncomfortable so you resolve that you just won’t wear it anymore.

A year later, you look in the mirror and noticed your teeth have shifted. You shrug your shoulders – no one has said anything yet and you continue on with your life. A couple more years down the track and it’s almost as if you’ve never had braces before. Then you think to yourself, why? How could this happen? Why did I do this to myself? Will I have to go through braces again? More often or not, the answer is yes.

The fact of the matter is that you had the chance! You’ve gone through years of the agony and the embarrassing discomfort of your life with braces. It is extremely important to maintain the retention routine (for life – yes! Life!) to ensure that your smile stays straight and beautiful as the day of your last orthodontic appointment!

Clear retainers are much like Invisalign Aligners. They are made of clear plastic and aimed to prevent your teeth from moving. They are known to have a shorter life span then metal retainers and are slightly more difficult to clean.

Metal Retainers come in either acrylic or plastic and fixed with a flexible metal wire. The wire sits along the front side of your teeth and the acrylic or plastic is moulded to fit exactly inside the top of your mouth. This type of retainer offers the convenience of future adjustments as our dentist can continue to fine-tune any movements. It is long lasting and easy to sanitize.

Permanent retainers and bonded perpetually to the back of your teeth. This method retains teeth successfully and remains well hidden. Permanent retainers aren’t suitable for everyone, depending on your bite. They can be difficult to clean and require special floss but it is a great option for those who like the freedom of not having to wear a retainer to bed each night! 

Teeth that are not retained in their new positions will move! It is like coming home from a long day of work or school and the first thing you get into is your fat pants. You’re comfortable, you’re free and it’s what you’re used to. You’re not going to come home from work and stay in your business suit or come home from uni and stay in your tight jeans – it’s just unnatural! This applies to your teeth. They will go back to their natural, original positions.

Your braces/aligners are finally off! But what you do next will affect how your teeth look in the forever. Don't skip this step.

What happens at the end of your orthodontic treatment?

It doesn't stop after braces

Some of the things you should look for when finding a good dentist is the synergy between the staff. How do they correlate with one another? Are they happy where they are? Yes, it’s important to analyse the skills and quality of work that the practice does, but it’s essential to establish whether they genuinely enjoy what they do. Is that sincere commitment or are they just there for a pay-check?

One of Vogue Dental Studios’ strongest aspects is the hardworking and passionate team that care about you!

Motivational environment where we all strive for excellence

We are all responsible for our actions and work together to ensure appointments are smooth and coherent

A strong, caring team is not only important in the workplace, but it applies to many facets of our lives. A team can be your soccer club, group of friends, workmates or your family. Establishing and building on that not only provides delegation and efficiency, but also support and guidance. It is necessary to know where you stand but also that you have people there to help you when you feel like you’re about to fall.

Exceptional variety of Dental work and results.

At least 20+ positive and current client reviews/feedback/word of mouth praise.

Up to date magazines in the waiting room (and a good variety of it).

Friendly phone manner (that isn’t too pushy for you to make an appointment).

Offers cute dental stickers at the end of your appointment.

You don’t want someone grumpy who doesn’t want to be where they are, holding a mechanical drill in your face!

When the stakes are high, you need a team that's tight. Team dynamic and the working environment should be a decision factor in choosing your dentist.

When the stakes are high, the team must be tight.

The importance of having a strong and caring team

American Academy of Periodontology (2015). More than a quarter of U.S. adults are dishonest with dentists about how often they floss their teeth. [online] Available at: https://www.perio.org/consumer/quarter-of-adults-dishonest-with-dentists [Accessed 9 Dec. 2019].

It’s no secret that we don’t like chores. You can hire a gardener to mow your lawn and a housekeeper to keep your kitchen tidy – but you can’t hire someone to floss your teeth! Based on research conducted by the American Academy of Periodontology, more than 1/3 people (of the 2021 people measured) say they much rather clean the toilet than floss every day! These are crazy stats! The same study also show that a lot of us lie to our dentist about flossing our teeth. Major tsk tsk!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that we floss at least once daily. A lot of people question, ‘Am I meant to floss before or after I brush my teeth?’ The truth is, it doesn’t really matter. I have asked two nurses, one receptionist and two of my sisters what order they floss and brush. Of the answers, 50% said they flossed then brushed and 50% said they brushed then flossed. None of them could tell me what order was the “right” order.

The ADA suggests that we should floss prior to brushing to clean the spaces between our teeth and allow the toothpaste to clean all aspects of our enamel (if you brush thoroughly).

Here are the beneficial aspects of flossing:

Minimizes the development of plaque and bacteria

Those germs generate an acid that irritates your gums and can lead to gum disease – why not prevent it from happening?

Removes food that is stuck between your teeth and the discomfort of it

If you’re a virgin at flossing, chances are you will bleed and will continue to bleed until your gums adjust. The more you do it, the more you will regret starting so late! It is amazing how much gunk you find between your teeth. Trust me – I was a late bloomer as well.

How can I get rid of the gunk between my teeth?

There are many types of floss made for different purposes!

STRING
A lot of us will be quite familiar with stringed floss. They’re easy, simple and our friend – don’t forget that! They can come in great minty flavors and either waxed or un-waxed, based on your personal preference.

BRISTLES
The inter-dental brushes work great to thoroughly clean the gaps between your teeth.  It effectively removes plaque through the inter-proximity of your teeth and can be useful for those who have larger hands and find it harder to use string floss. We often recommend bristle brushes for our orthodontic patients as it successfully gets between those hard to reach spaces!

FLOSSER PICKS
Flosser picks are a great alternative to wrapping string between your fingers. They are essentially stringed floss but on a nifty little handle. Many people enjoy it’s convenience, especially children that are transcending into the habit of flossing.

DENTAL WATER-JET
The water flosser offers a spa dental-clean feel. It works by aiming water at your teeth to assist in removing particles of food. It is reported to assist in reducing the effect of bleeding gums.

Flossing shouldn't be a chore! Explore different flossing strategies to find one that fits you.

When are you meant to floss and why?

What's this business about flossing?

Stage 3 restrictions are now in place which means dentists and hygienists are not allowed to perform any aerosol inducing treatments. This includes all cleans. Having to temporarily cancel our patients who were booked in for cleans to help do our part in preventing the spread of the virus, the least we could do is to give you some at-home tips so you can hold off as long as possible until we’re able see you.

Continuing your daily oral hygiene routine is so important. Here are some recommendations (how many of the six are you already doing?)

1) Brush twice daily, once in the morning and again before bed!

Remember, it is quality, not quantity. It’s not about doing it fast, its about being gentle yet thorough. Pay special attention around your gumline – brushing too hard can cause gum recession. Opt for a softer toothbrush head, whether it is electric or manual.

2) Change your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) at least every 3 months or when you’re noticing that the bristles are worn – whichever comes first.

Please note: if you’re noticing worn bristles too often, this may mean you are brushing too aggressively. Try to keep track of how often you’re changing your toothbrush/toothbrush head.

Though we beg our patients to do so, we can understand how tedious it can be (I, myself, have been caught skipping on the floss here and there too) but it honestly makes a difference! Now that you have some spare time at home, not flossing is a no no! 

Bonus tip: we highly recommend investing in a water flosser. Water flossers are amazing and almost feels like you’re getting a clean at the dentist… almost.

Often, we may forget to clean our tongue when brushing our teeth. Cleaning your tongue after brushing will help in the removal of plaque and bacteria that may cause bad breath.

Think about it, our bathroom is not only the storage facility of our diffusers and designer soaps – it’s where we store our toothbrushes, towels and other intimate items. Ensuring a clean bathroom will further protect us from unwanted germs or bacteria. Products containing bleach are recommended for bathroom cleanliness subject to your surfaces.

6) Drink plenty of water and cut down on sugary/acidic drinks, foods and snacks!

Hydration is key! Drinking water helps keep your mouth from being dry. It will also help you produce more saliva and assist in rinsing out bacteria.

Though we have elected to shut our clinic and to donate our resources to the local hospitals who need it the most, we are not going to abandon our patients. We have reception staff working from home daily. If you are in pain or discomfort, please call us on 03 9878 8208. We have emergency dentists available on-call. Our patient coordinators will assess and book you an urgent appointment accordingly, if it fits within the stage 3 restrictions.

Simple reminders for your oral routine while self-quarantining at home. Including a device that will make flossing feel less like a chore!

Your health depends on it!

Keep your teeth clean during COVID-19

This is definitely a question that we hear often – my teeth are misaligned, can I get veneers or do I have to have braces? 

This is such a great question and one that we would require a personal assessment by a cosmetic dentist to give an accurate answer for. 

In saying this, Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic treatment option. It is a cosmetic choice, much like adding a spoiler to your car or getting SNS nails done. Generally speaking, you can get porcelain veneers if your teeth are slightly misaligned, chipped, gappy or even root canalled. The more straight your teeth are, the less “prep” would be needed (shaving down of your natural tooth). 

If your teeth are severely misaligned, we would often recommend going down the braces or Invisalign route first for a better and more viable treatment outcome and then look at veneers after. Some patients get their teeth straightened and are so happy with their outcome that they choose not to proceed with veneers. Others, however, though have straight teeth, are still unhappy with their teeth shapes, colour or even size. At the end of the day, we make the recommendations and you, the patient, ultimately makes the decision. 

Any type of porcelain veneer or crown you get will require some “preparation” to your tooth. It is important not to have unrealistic expectations of the treatment and thinking that you can just go back to your old smile whenever you want. Even if little to no shaving is required, the surface of your tooth will be slightly “roughened” in order to bond the porcelain veneer to your enamel. Composite resin, on the other hand, may have very little to no preparation and is possibly reversible if done well. 

My recommendation? Research, research, research! Don’t make a decision based on an Instagram post or because you woke up last night dreaming about it. Find the right dentist, the results you want and do a few consultations at a few clinics. Trust me, as someone who has had Invisalign, composite veneers and porcelain veneers (done twice!), you’ll know when it feels right. 

At your consultation appointment, the dentist would go through all your options so you can make an informed decision. 

Should you straighten your teeth before getting veneers? Here are some key points to consider before making a decision.

My teeth are misaligned, can I get veneers or do I have to have braces first?

Can I get veneers if my teeth are crooked?

With all our Invisalign patients, we’ve heard every story in the book:

You wore braces in your teens but didn’t wear your retainer so it’s moved back to its old position.

You can now finally afford to straighten your smile but train tracks? No way, let’s go with the clear alternative.

You came in for veneers to immediately fix your uneven smile but we’ve said let’s do it the RIGHT way and straighten your teeth first so we can move forward with no-prep veneers at the end of your orthodontic treatment.

You have a special event or wedding coming up down the track and you need to finally address your unhappy smile!

You woke up with an epiphany and decided that today is the day you get braces!

Whatever it may be, we’ve heard it all and we’re here to help! I, myself, am an avid Invisalign user so I shall relay all my knowledge unto my dear unsuspecting future wearers who have no idea what they’re getting into!

I'm half-way through my Invisalign treatment here. Can you tell? 😛

Let’s start off with 10 Invisalign HACKS that will get you through your teeth-straightening journey!

Your Invisalign Case IS YOUR FRIEND. Keep it in your bag, in your pocket, in your hand, in your shoe – everywhere! There’s nothing worse than going to a nice fancy restaurant for your birthday and not bringing your case because it didn’t match your outfit so you wrapped it in a tissue only for the waitress to pick up and throw away. Does this sound ridiculously implausible? Trust me, it isn’t.

Invest in a good nail file. Fellas, I am talking to you too (you can say it belongs to your super gorgeous girlfriend)! Sometimes new aligners can come with unexpected sharp spots that not only cut your tongue and mouth but it feels really bloody annoying! File that sharp spot down and you’re good to go! Don’t waste time going back to the dentist when you can fix it quick and easy at home.

Say goodbye to chewing gum. No matter what ANYONE says, you absolutely cannot have gum whilst wearing your aligner. Don’t believe me? Try it and let me know.

A lot of people seem to think that once they start Invisalign, they have to give up lipstick/lip-gloss. THIS IS FALSE and I pity those that let their lips go dry and colourless. It’s all about using the right product. I find matte lipsticks work best and ensure your lips are set and dry before you make any mouth movements (smiling immediately after application can leave a mark on your aligner). Not to worry, when it does, it comes off easily.

Switch to your new aligners before you go to sleep! Why is this, you may ask? It’s best to move your teeth into its new position for an undisrupted period of time. Think about it, it’s better having your new aligners in for 8 hours straight whilst you sleep vs. in and out throughout the day.

Coloured lozenges and lollies are an enemy! If you can avoid it, try not to have sweets in your mouth whilst wearing your aligner. Not only can it cause cavities to brew below but it can also stain your aligners to a nasty colour which you will be stuck with until your next aligner change.

Keep an emergency dental travel kit in your bag or car. It’s so important to put clean aligners on clean teeth. This doesn’t necessarily mean we expect you to brush your teeth after each meal, but it is important that rinse thoroughly and remove any food that may be stuck in your teeth before putting your aligner’s in.

If you have Invisalign, you will know what an absolute pain it is to take out your aligners AFTER you get your attachments! Because of this, they’ve invented a great little tool called an “outie.” With it, you can eliminate the hassle of using your hands (especially after you’ve had a fresh manicure).

Soak your Invisalign in a denture solution whilst you’re having breakfast or dinner to refresh your aligners and help you brush off the excess gunk (or maybe it’s just me haha).

SMILE! Smile all day err’ day and don’t be afraid to show off your beautiful teeth and talk about Invisalign to others. The evolution of orthodontics is absolutely amazing.

Tried and true hacks from an Invisalign wearer. From when to switch to a new set to a good ol' trusty nail file - make your Invisalign experience easier and happier!

What every Invisalign wearer must know

10 Invisalign hacks that will blow your mind

There are a lot of things to organise and plan when it comes to your big day. I, myself, only recently became a “Bride to be” and it’s genuinely hard work (especially when you’re on a tight budget).

There are so many things to think about and arrange, particularly if you’re doing it without the aid of a wedding planner. Despite this, what they don’t help you arrange, is your smile. You don’t want to be a few weeks out from your wedding day, trialling your make up with your makeup artist and noticing that you hate your smile with that plum lipstick.

Like with everything, dental treatment takes time – especially in this day and age thanks to all the delays and disruptions caused by COVID-19.

To help you future Mrs and Mr’s, here are some tips on my rough dental treatment guideline.

If you’ve been told that you needed a clean or maybe a few fillings – best to do this as soon as possible. Fillings should definitely be done when needed (that way, depending on the filling, you won’t need to worry about it for another 5+ years) and cleans should be done every 6 months. If you want nice and fresh teeth before the wedding, I would say get the clean done at a minimum of two days before your wedding. This is in case you have severe build up that requires an extensive deep clean which can sometimes cause bleeding or sensitive gums.

For everyone who’s ever had a RCT, you will notice that it is done in a few stages, over a couple of months. Depending on how many you need, why not get your RCT completed months before your wedding? Not only will you have one less thing to worry about, but any dental aches or pains will be relieved.

A take home whitening kit is best used consecutively, over a period of time for the best results. It is recommended that you whiten daily for 5-7 days or until you’re happy with the colour. The sooner you start, the quicker you can get your teeth to an optimal shade. I would suggest whitening at home as much as possible a few months before the wedding. As you get closer, continue your whitening until 1 week before your big day. This will allow your teeth settle into the shade and prevent any sensitivity you have on your wedding day. Whitening is also not recommended with ‘staining’ foods so this will allow you to have a cheeky wine or two after speeches.

In chair whitening results can be seen immediately after your appointment. Some people can even go up to 8 shades lighter in the one sitting. This all just depends on how your teeth absorb the product. I would suggest getting your teeth whitened even as soon as you are proposed to. That way, you can manage your expectations on what you can anticipate when you do it closer to the wedding. If you’re not too happy with the results, you’ll then have the time to look at other options without panicking that your wedding is only a week away. If you’re happy with the results and love what you see then rebook at least 1-2 weeks before your wedding.

After your in chair whitening appointment, you will experience some sensitivity that shouldn’t last longer than a day and you would be advised to strictly stay on a white food diet for 24-48 hours to prolong the results.

If you have been thinking about, or you’re interested in Invisalign or Braces to re-align your smile, see a dentist for a consultation right away. The timeline for every person will vary. Some patients may need to go on treatment for 3 years, others may only need 3 months. The sooner you go in for a consultation, the quicker you’ll know and the easier it will be to plan the upcoming months or years.

Composite Veneers are a quicker and more affordable option to porcelain veneers. If you’ve seen a dentist and you’re suitable for composite veneers, I would recommend getting them done at least 1-2 weeks before the wedding. Whilst you’re there, you should organise a splint to take on your honeymoon to help prevent any unexpected damage such as night time grinding to occur whilst you’re away. Though composite veneers are a great short term solution, they can be prone to chipping, breaking and staining.

If you’ve been thinking about getting porcelain veneers and you’ve been told you’re suitable for the treatment, there are two things to think about. The first and most obvious, are the financials. How will you pay for it and can you afford to have it in conjunction with the other wedding costs? This would be a conversation for you to have with your partner. Secondly, what are your expectations of your smile when you think about staring into each other’s eyes are you walk down the aisle? Think about how many veneers you want to have, whether you want a natural or Hollywood smile, what teeth shapes you like and what colours you want. Most importantly, do your research on where you choose to go. Investigate on who you want to design the smile of your dreams. I would recommend getting your veneers done at least 1 month before your wedding. That way, you can get used to your new smile, bite and make sure your lower teeth match up in colour too (if not, see whitening tips above).

Implants are a whole other league. If you’re suitable for and need one, get started right away is what I would suggest. If you’re told you can get it done, get it done whilst your gums are still healthy, before they shrink and lose their volume.

You should plan for some procedures - like braces - even one year before your wedding. Others - like whitening - can be done a week before.

When should you start preparing for your big day?

The Wedding Edition: When should I get my teeth done?

There are numerous internal and external factors that can contribute to the staining of our enamel. Some of which are beyond our control – where others are created by our habits and indulgence.

Certain facets of our upbringing can add to the internal staining of our teeth. This includes the absorption of fluoride at a young age, certain medications taken through your childhood as well as trauma to your permanent tooth.

Intrinsic loss is when the inner structure of the tooth has been stained.

There’s no doubt that we all love to indulge in the pleasures of food and beverages but certain consumption can have an impact on the brightness of our smile.

Other external causes include poor dental hygiene (producing cavities and tooth decay), smoking, diseases that require chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Extrinsic loss is when the surface of the enamel has been damaged.

The best preventative action is by improving your overall dental hygiene through regular and consistent brushing, flossing and rinsing. Upholding your six-monthly dental clean and check-ups is essential to conserving your pearly whites (and making sure they stay white!).

Avoiding foods and beverages that stain teeth

Investing in composite or porcelain veneers

Undertaking whitening treatments (either in-chair or with a personalized take home whitening kit)

How come some people's teeth are stain easier than others? What can we do to prevent it? Some easy tips to maintain white teeth.

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10 Invisalign hacks that will blow your mind

The Wedding Edition: When should I get my teeth done?

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