Patient Info

Our practice provides optimal treatment comfort, function and aesthetics for the long term.

Using state of the art orthodontic techniques, Dr Ian Watson and his team have improved the smiles of thousands of patients since 1973.

We are proud to provide for your orthodontic care and look forward to welcoming you and your family to our practice.

Specialising in orthodontics for patients of all ages and stages of life, our practice is technologically progressive with a family-orientated focus.

At your first consultation, a treatment plan will be made to suit your individual needs. This plan will be spoken about in detail so you know exactly what to expect from each future appointment.

We can also provide documents detailing expenses and payment plan options in your first consult and will do whatever we can to ensure the payment plan is the most appropriate for your specific case.

At your first consultation we look, listen, talk and learn about you and you and your teeth/bite, and make arrangements to collect records for you at your second consultation.

At the conclusion of that appointment, a treatment plan will be developed to suit your individual needs. This treatment plan will be spoken about in detail so you know what to expect from future appointments.

If you are a first time visitor, download the form and bring it with you to your appointment.

» Click here to view and print our Patient History form.

Is there a right age for treatment?

It is recommended that children see an orthodontist by the age of seven, or even earlier if a parent, school dental therapist or dentist discovers a problem.

The timing of orthodontic treatment can be important and can greatly affect the treatment result.  Early diagnosis and treatment by a specialist can help guide facial growth and dental development, which can often prevent more serious problems from developing.

Whatever the age of the patient, our goal is to provide the very best and most stable results, whilst minimising treatment time in braces.

Your oral hygiene

Adequate tooth brushing and flossing is paramount when braces are fitted. You will be shown how to brush and floss when the braces are first placed. Please ensure that you brush as instructed. Use the disclosing tablets supplied to self-check that you are doing a good job.

You may also need to carefully consider your diet to avoid consuming acidic food and drink.

Orthodontic appliances do not cause cavities, but because of their presence, plaque and food particles are retained more readily and the cavity potential is increased.

How to clean your braces.

1. Use a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste
2. Place bristles where gum and teeth meet
3. Use a circular, vibrating motion around the gum line, spending about 10 seconds around each tooth
4. Brush slowly around each arch (upper and lower teeth) separately. Concentrating on every tooth
5. Brush the lower teeth upwards and the upper teeth downwards
6. Brush the roof of your mouth and tongue too

Food’s to avoid while undergoing treatment.

When you start wearing braces you should avoid the following foods.

• Chewy foods: crusts, hard rolls, licorice
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils, or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

Organisations

• Australian Society of Orthodontists
• American Association of Orthodontists
• World Federation of Orthodontists

Journals

• Australian Orthodontic Journal
• American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
• The Angle Orthodontist
• The European Journal of Orthodontics
• World Journal of Orthodontics