Ask RiotACT: Dentist that does orthodontics (braces)

I currently have braces and my orthodontist is Dr Temo at Supersmile in Civic but Supersmile also has a Belconnen clinic.

In my experience, there’s no such thing as reasonably priced orthodontics in Canberra. My teeth were pretty good before braces, I only had a couple of teeth that needed straightening and it was for cosmetic purposes only – overall I think the cost is about $8500. I’m expected to have them on for 15 months total (7 months to go!) but I know in plenty of instances they need to extend the time they’re on. I don’t think they keep them on unnecessarily, sometimes teeth just don’t move as quickly as they should and you pay the same price no matter how long they’re on. If mine came off early I would still have to pay the $8500. They give you a payment plan at the start too (unless you’re planning on paying a lump sum upfront).

Lots of people I know have gone to Sydney to get their braces as there’s apparently a fair few clinics that offer orthodontics cheaper than in Canberra. I don’t have the luxury of being able to take time off work every few months when they need to be tightened so I went with a Canberra orthodontist and I’m pretty happy with the service so far 🙂 Good luck!

Try Graham Shaw at Storey and Shaw at Hawker. He’s good and very reasonably priced. It’s a regular dental surgery but he is also qualified in orthodontics. We are very happy with the results that he’s achieved for my son.

for a start, prices will depend on what you have done and how bad or good your teeth are now. So you can’t compare apples with oranges. If you look like chad morgan you may well require braces for a number of years. If you’ve just got a minor gap in front you may be done and dusted in 18 months. but we don’t know what you look like, or bite like, now.

And as for ‘years and years unnecessarily’ don’t you think the dentist is the right person to answer that – not us out here in riotland that aren’t trained in dentistry. just because someone’s mother’s cousin got a good outcome in 12 months doesn’t mean anyone can.

go and see 3 professional dentists or an orthodontist and see what they all say. That advice alone may well require them to take xrays to see what your jaw looks like underneath. ie what are your roots like, how much bone you have etc. Then decide on the information you get from them…

your question is like me putting up a post that says who’s the best heart surgeon in town. Again, the answer will still be depends on what you need done and/or how good or bad is it now.