Smiles & Faces Orthodontics

This is an area that many general dentists can find challenging. It can be commonplace for kids to grow up being scared of dentists. Unpleasant experiences can often linger for a long while. I can recall parents recounting stories of their childhood unpleasant dental experiences. In this dentist podcast, Dr Andrew Chang and Dr Diane Tay talk about: Why Connecting with your Pediatric Patient is important and why first impressions count. What are clinical tips and tools to make the initial exam easier for them. What are principles of communicating to a child that can be applied to clinical dental practice. This is a clinically relevant topic and we go through many clinical situations. For more information, visit our .

Lots of advances in the restoration of primary teeth and important to consider as parents are keen for alternative, aesthetic options. We also know the importance of maintaining primary teeth for function, aesthetics and space maintenance. Crowns provide a full coronal coverage restoration to help preserve form and function.    Reasons and indications for placement of crowns    following a pulpotomy/pulpectomy for teeth with developmental defects (enamel hypomineralisation) or large carious lesions involving multiple surfaces where a normal restoration is likely to fail high caries risks patients  where longevity of restoration is required  Types of crowns available and What are zirconia crowns made of     Stainless steel crowns, composite crowns, Porcelain fused to metal crowns and Zirconia crowns (Pre-fabricated) Zirconia crowns are made from zirconium dioxide, a very durable type of metal that’s related to titanium. They are still classified under ceramic crowns    Pros and cons of zirconia crowns   

In this part 2, Orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang discusses: Treatment Options: No treatment Interceptive Treatment now: Functional Appliances with U maxilla expansion + referral to speech therapist. Wait till permanent dentition, then camouflage with upper arch extractions, U expansion is less effective. Treatment Timing: Is it too early? Primary dentition? If have habits eg: thumb sucking or dummy, best to cease habit first  Mixed dentition: best time for maximum orthopedic effect (CVMS 2: Baccetti 2002): Shape of vertebral bodies of C2-4 and inferior borders of C3-4 Adult. Is it too late? What happens with functional appliances? Compliance and success rate (due to temporary speech disruptions), greater lower incisor proclination. Jaw surgery and risks of morbidity. Adv & Disadv of Early Treatment- Gingival trauma, Upper incisor trauma, psychosocial. Adv & disadv of Late mixed dentition or Permanent dentition Tx: Orthopedic effects best retained. What should dentists be looking out for? Age and

In this Part 1 for dentists on skeletal Class 2 malocclusions, Dr Andrew Chang Orthodontist shares with Dr Diane Tay identifying features, risk factors and the differential diagnosis of Class 2 malocclusions. We cover the areas below:   Diagnosis Facial: Small lower jaw Dental ie: Class 2 div 1 or div 2’s Radiographic Assessing skeletal maturation and its importance in success. The Lateral Ceph x-ray Risks factors: Hx of anterior overjet getting larger- why this is the case Difficulty chewing and slow eater. Traumatic deep bites and teeth wear, gingival recession Trauma upper incisors Bullying: psychosocial Open mouth posture and gingival inflammation due to drying of the gingivae Differential Diagnosis: Proclined U incisors, Normal Maxillomand relationships

In this Part 2 of the Q&A with Dr Diane Tay, Sydney Orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang discusses and outlines treatment options for Class 3 based upon the dental developmental stages: Primary Mixed Permanent/adult And the 12-21 yrs age group whom are generally too late for early orthodontic treatment and their jaw growth is not complete. Takeaway messages are: the 6-8 years age group is better to start early orthodontic treatment Early Orthodontic Treatment does reduce the severity of skeletal Class 3's and the incidence of jaw surgery later For the 12-21 years age group, watch for the long face Class 3's. These are difficult to treat. General strategies are to start later, when their jaw growth is complete. 2 situations of when to treat early in this age group are indicated: Accompanying signs of a narrow jaw. Signs of traumatic incisor occlusion ie: wear or teeth mobility.

We are humbled to have both Felicia and her mother share their experiences with us and with their braces. In this episode, we have an open and authentic conversation. They also share their advice and tips for children and parents considering orthodontic treatment. Sorry for the audio quality at times. While we miss seeing them for their regular adjustments, it gives us great satisfaction knowing she does not hold back smiling anymore.

We are humbled to be able to serve our patient's and help them along their smile transformations. Personally, it has been rewarding for me and all the members of our team to play a role in their orthodontic care.  We are grateful to have Zahra how sharing her experiences, having just completed her braces orthodontic treatment.

In this Q&A with Dr Diane Tay, Sydney orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang shares the best time to start treating skeletal Class 3 malocclusions. In this Part 1, he covers: Class 3 Growth and Growth Indicators Simple Radiographic Types of Class 3's Which Class 3's are easy to treat 

In this podcast, Dr Diane Tay interviews orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang on the differences between clear removable aligners compared with braces. The differences between the different clear removable aligner products are discussed as well as the “do-it-yourself” aligner solutions. Highlights are: 2:10: What types of clear aligners are on the market and what are the differences? 4:30: What are the “do it yourself” aligners and do they work? The way that these aligners work to fix crooked teeth often lead to unhealthy bites or smiles. 8:55: What are the differences between clear aligners and clear braces? Which works better? Aligners or Braces? Generally speaking, the larger the gaps or the more crowded the teeth, braces still outperform aligners. Aligners are easier to keep the teeth clean for patients who have difficulty cleaning their teeth ie: Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy or where manual dexterity with hands is more challenging. The idea of braces or aligners to fix crooked teeth should not be thought

Dr Tay interviews Dr Andrew Chang on aligners. A synopsis is below: What are aligners 3:00. What cases are suitable for aligners? Patient Factors Malocclusion factors ie: deep bite, absolute intrusion of incisors in adults. 6:00: Difference between absolute and relative incisor intrusion and marked difference in effectiveness in aligners compared with braces. 8:00: Extraction cases. High need for later partial braces to regain root control 8:30: Attachments: Why attachments are more effective for moderately difficult cases. 11:30: When to choose 1 aligner company over another. What software features to look out for? 13:30: How do braces differ from aligners? Braces work better when needing to allow for PLAN B during Treatment ie: non extraction start. The aligner planning software allows better patient communication and planning of final outcomes, particularly useful in multidisciplinary cases. 21:00: Which cases a dentist should start doing?

This is a podcast for every parent. It is also one which every parent hopes does not happen to their child but should know what to do when it happens. As parents of kids ourselves, we cover topics of teeth trauma in toddlers, children and teenagers.  Questions we cover are: What simple first aid measures can be done? Which types of teeth trauma need to be seen by a dentist soon and which can wait. 

Dr Andrew Chang and Dr Diane Tay discuss the more common teeth development defects of peg laterals (small/narrow upper 2nd front teeth), dens in dente and dens evaginatus.  Common hallmarks of each of the conditions are described, and what to do when seeing teeth like these at the initial examinations. Dens in dente and dens evaginatus can both benefit from early identification and the implications of this and management options for each are discussed.

Dr Diane Tay And Dr Andrew Chang chat about the timing of normal teeth development, then discuss when variations can occur in teeth eruption, physiological and pathological causes and the common presenting patterns.  Clinical implications are discussed, along with timing of intervention and treatment options. Some highlights are: 1) Review of timing of tooth/dental development  2) Some genetic syndromes that are associated with delayed dental development. 3) Why is it relevant- ie: a supernumerary that might be impeding eruption of teeth, cysts etc. 4) When should we be concerned and when do we take radiographs? What radiographs?  

In this podcast for parents of school age children, Dr Diane Tay and Dr Chang outline common myths about certain foods and teeth health, & how to encourage children to drink more water. Examples are outlined of ways parents can make the school lunches a healthier choice for teeth. Tips on brushing effectively and recommendations on toothpaste are also provided. This is an episode all parents will find useful to listen.

Sunken Baby Teeth can be a problem in growing children. This is because they can continue to sink, and cause the adjacent teeth to collapse into this area. This can make its removal and future orthodontic treatment more difficult. In this podcast for dentists, Dr Diane Tay and Dr Chang have a conversation about these infraoccluded baby molars, its causes, and when should a dentist intervene as well as outlining some management solutions. Parents whom have a child with this condition would also benefit from listening in to find out more.

Nailbiting or Thumbsucking will affect the shape of teeth, jaws or one's smile. Prolonged dummy use in toddlers is another example. Dr Andrew Chang and Dr Diane Tay discuss and outline for parents of kids and teens simple remedies they can use at home to help break these habits.  They also chat about how Nailbiting, Thumbsucking or prolonged dummy use can affect teeth or jaw shape and one's smile.

Dr Andrew Chang Orthodontist at Smiles & Faces Orthodontics and Dr Diane Tay of Inner West Pediatric Dentistry return in 2020 to chat about anterior open bites. This conversation is for dentists who have child, teen or adult patients with anterior open bites. Questions that are discussed are: Have you wondered how the age of your patients can affect the simpleness or complex-ness of orthodontic treatment methods? Do you wonder if referring them when they are a child, a teen or an adult makes a difference to their smile outcomes, cost and duration of treatment? While every patient is an individual, and managed as such, this podcast outlines the answers to the above questions. It provides a basis to increase your understanding through identifying: Different causes of anterior open bites. Early treatment in children is focused on addressing causes ie: habits and skeletal discrepancies. When to treat: start early or start late? And when to tell if face growth is complete. Treatment methods for anterior ope

How considerations and the management plan differ in children, teenagers and adults. A podcast between orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang and pediatric dentist Dr Diane Tay that covers the issues in detail.   Dr.Andrew Chang: Diane, welcome, it's nice to have you back on our podcast. Dr. Diane Tay: Hi Andrew. Very good to chat to you again. As always. Dr.Andrew Chang: Well, what we'd like to talk to our audience of dentists today and if there is any interested parents out there as well, but mainly for dentists. The topic of supernumeraries or what we call,extra teeth types. And we were going to focus on the area of the upper front maxilla, the upper front teeth region. So maybe Diane, if you could provide our audience an outline of the different classifications or types of uninterrupted supernumeraries that we're going to talk about. Dr. Diane Tay: Yeah, absolutely Andrew, thank you. And yes, you are right for the benefit of the audiences. We know there's many different types of supernumeraries they can be in d

Dr Diane Tay and specialist orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang discuss an interesting topic for dentists on impacted canines in children and early teens. 0:34 There can be a number of implications if impacted canines are not picked up early. Main causes of impacted canines include crowding and genetics. 2:17 A simple definition of an impacted canine is a canine not sitting in the right position and becoming 'stuck'. Affecting the eruption path. If an OPG is taken and there appears to be overlapping. 3:00 Clinical signs to consider include, average age (9-10yrs), feeling of canines, OPG results, flaring of canines, crowding, lateral spacing, assymetrical exfoliation, positions of teeth appropriate for age and a primary canine still present. Aim is to normalise path of eruption. 11:52 Depending on severity of case early interceptive is a way to present surgery and lead to spontaneous eruption. Age has a big impact on successful results. 13:40 Best age to intervene is between 7-9 years. Start with an orthodontic asses

In this podcast for parents of children and teenagers, kids dentist Dr Diane Tay and orthodontist Dr Andrew Chang talk about Stuck "Fang" or Canine Teeth. How parents can identify them, Problems they cause and how seeing an Orthodontist from 7-9 years old helps. Highlights are: 0:53: How to identify if your child has a stuck "fang" tooth, and why it is important to be detected early. 2:20: Canines erupt normally between 10-12 years old and canines that are delayed erupt later. 2:45: Delays in loss of baby canine teeth falling out or signs of overlapping teeth can lead to stuck fang teeth. 3:55: Stuck fang teeth usually do not have any pain but are difficult to brush. Bleeding gums are also common. 5:30: Other signs of a stuck fang tooth are where an adult canine tooth has erupted and the baby canine tooth on the other side is still present for a very long time. 6:00: What are the problems with stuck adult canine teeth? Stuck canine teeth can eat into adjacent teeth and permanently damage them, as well as caus