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Costs, Benefits & Metal Braces Explained – Brisbane Orthodontics

When Clear Aligners Can’t Help

Why Metal Braces?

What Can Metal Braces Fix That Aligners Can’t?

❤️ Severe Crowding
🔥 Complex Bite Issues
✅ Rotated Teeth

30 min appointments

Free Consults

Speak to Our Orthodontists About Your Complex Case

Severe tooth crowding requires more than removable aligners can provide. When teeth overlap significantly, or canines sit rotated in the jaw, metal brackets deliver controlled movement in multiple directions. At our Brisbane clinics, orthodontists treat complex cases – deep overbites affecting speech, gaps requiring precise spacing, teeth requiring vertical movement. Clear aligners have limitations. Metal braces don’t. That’s why orthodontists recommend them for challenging dental corrections.

5/5

Beyond Dental Care Hamilton, Brisbane

14/39 Hercules St, Hamilton QLD 4007

(07) 3268 2116

Book Online

5/5

Beyond Dental Care Burpengary

Shop 10/9-11 Burpengary Rd, Burpengary QLD 4505

(07) 3067 2325

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5/5

Beyond Dental Care Sandstone Point

Shop 9/204-208 Bestmann Rd E, Sandstone Point QLD 4511

(07) 5429 5628

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⚠️ Please Note

Orthodontic recommendations are based on a thorough clinical assessment including X-rays and bite analysis.
A free consult is an opportunity to explore options, not a guarantee of treatment.
Braces may not be suitable for every case, and alternative treatments might be recommended after review.

common concerns

Braces vs Clear Aligners Comparison Tables for Treatment & Lifestyle

Clear aligners are great, but not every case is mild. Some dental problems need the control only traditional metal braces can provide. To help you compare both treatment types, we’ve created two simple, research-based comparison tables:

Table 1 → See Which Cases Need Metal Braces
Table 2 → Compare What It’s Like to Wear Them

Table 2 is especially useful if you’re a parent choosing for your child, a teen curious about appearance and comfort, or an adult managing work, travel, and cost.

**Metal Braces vs Clear Aligners - How effective are braces and aligners for complex dental issues?**

**Comparison table 1** showing the clinical effectiveness of metal braces vs clear aligners across common orthodontic conditions such as crowding, bite correction, and jaw alignment.
Orthodontic Condition	Metal Braces	Clear Aligners
Severely Twisted Teeth Especially front teeth or canines	Excellent	Limited
Deep Overbite Top teeth cover lower teeth too much	Excellent	Moderate
Stuck (Impacted) Teeth Hidden inside gum or bone	Excellent	Not Possible
Big Gaps After Extractions Missing teeth that need closing	Excellent	Limited
Major Jaw Misalignment Upper and lower jaw don’t line up	Good	Limited
Teeth Need to Move Up or Down Vertical movement needed	Excellent	Limited
Very Crowded Teeth Not enough space in the jaw	Excellent	Moderate
Control of Tooth Roots Roots need exact positioning	Excellent	Limited
Precise Bite Adjustment Fixing how your teeth come together	Excellent	Moderate
Complex Tooth Movements Needed Force from multiple directions at once	Excellent	Limited
Close Progress Monitoring Needed Frequent tracking of tooth movement	Excellent	Good
Very Precise Force Needed Tiny adjustments to pressure on each tooth	Excellent	Moderate

Clinical Effectiveness Scale

Excellent - Optimal clinical results

Good - Effective treatment option

Moderate - Variable clinical outcomes

Limited - Minimal clinical effectiveness

Not Possible - Cannot treat condition

**Life with Braces vs Aligners**

**Comparison table 2** showing lifestyle differences between metal braces and clear aligners across visibility, eating, hygiene, speech, and responsibility — tailored to parents, teens, and adults.
Showing all 11 comparisons
Everyday Experience	Metal Braces	Clear Aligners	Most Relevant For
Visibility How noticeable they are day to day	Always visible unless ceramic	Nearly invisible when worn	🧑‍🎓 Teens 👩‍ Adults
Comfort How they feel at first and over time	Can irritate cheeks/lips early on	Tray edges can cause mild pressure	👩‍👧 Parents 🧑‍🎓 Teens
Speech Changes Effects on how clearly you speak	Usually no effect	May cause a slight lisp at first	🧑‍🎓 Teens 👩 Adults
Eating & Snacks Food rules and mealtime routine	Must avoid sticky or hard foods	Remove trays to eat anything	👩‍👧 Parents 🧑‍🎓 Teens
Brushing & Flossing Ease of daily cleaning routine	Difficult; takes more time daily	Remove trays and brush normally	👩‍👧 Parents 👩‍ Adults
Discipline Needed How much effort is needed to stay on track	Passive — always working	Must wear 20–22 hrs/day	👩‍👧 Parents 🧑‍🎓 Teens
Breakage Risk Chance of losing or damaging parts	Wires may come loose	Trays can be lost or cracked	👩‍👧 Parents 🧑‍🎓 Teens
Sports & Activities Suitability for physical activity	Mouthguard required for contact sports	Remove trays if needed	👩‍👧 Parents 🧑‍🎓 Teens
Work or School Absences How often do you need to see the dentist	Visit every 4–6 weeks	Visit every 8–12 weeks	🧑‍🎓 Teens 👩‍ Adults
Travel & Events How easy it is to travel with treatment	Braces stay in; no packing needed	Must bring trays + case everywhere	🧑‍🎓 Teens 👩‍ Adults
Cost Flexibility How predictable the total cost is	Fixed cost, occasional repair fees	Extra trays may add to total cost	👩‍👧 Parents 👩‍ Adults

Types of Metal Braces

Metal Braces 4 Options – Traditional, Self-Ligating, Ceramic & Hidden

Today’s metal braces aren’t one-size-fits-all. There are several bracket systems each designed to meet different goals. Our orthodontists will help choose the one that best fits your teeth, your lifestyle, and your budget.

Dr. Jacky (Burpengary) and Dr. Sein (Hamilton, Sandstone Point) will show you samples during your free consultation to determine which type suits your specific needs.

Traditional Metal Braces

Stainless steel brackets with coloured elastic ties. Best for сomplex cases, kids/teens who like custom colours

Self-Ligating Braces

Metal brackets with built-in clips. No elastics needed. Best for adults who prefer shorter visits and less pressure

Ceramic Braces

Tooth-coloured brackets for a less visible look. Best for adults and teens who want subtle but effective treatment

Lingual Braces

Custom metal brackets hidden behind the teeth. Best for image-conscious adults needing discreet results

Simple Case

12-15 months

Mild crowding, minor spacing

Moderate Case

18-22 months

Moderate crowding, bite correction

Complex Case

24-30+ months

Severe crowding, extractions

Treatment Progress Timeline

Appointment Types & Schedule

🔧 Regular Adjustments

Frequency:: Every 4-6 weeks
Duration:: 15-30 minutes

What Happens During Visit

Remove old elastics
Check progress
Adjust/replace wire
Add new elastics

🚨 Emergency Visits

Frequency:: As needed
Duration:: 10-15 minutes

Common Issues:

Broken bracket
Sharp wire
Lost elastic

When You'll See Results

Progress milestones during your treatment journey

After Treatment: Retention Phase

Keeping your new smile straight for life

⛓️ Fixed Retainer

Type:: Permanent wire behind front teeth
Visibility:: Invisible, prevents front teeth from shifting

Night Retainer

Schedule:: First 6 months: Every night
After 6 months: 3-4 nights per week
Purpose:: Removable, maintains overall alignment

Treatment Areas

The End for Now 😛

Certain facial muscles are more prone to overuse from clenching, tension, or habitual movement. This section shows where therapeutic injectables may help reduce strain and improve daily comfort.

Anti-Wrinkle Injections & TMJ Relief in Brisbane Mobile Version

Masseter

Primary chewing muscle that often holds tension from clenching habits.

Temporalis

Side-of-head muscle involved in chewing and jaw pressure during stress.

Lateral Pterygoid

Internal jaw muscle that controls jaw movement and can contribute to jaw clicking when tense.

Medial Pterygoid

Deep muscle that assists with jaw closure and can cause jaw stiffness when overworked.

Masseter (primary jaw tension) – The main chewing muscle located at the sides of your jaw. This powerful muscle works constantly during eating and often becomes overactive in people who clench their teeth during stress or sleep. When chronically tense, it can cause jaw fatigue, muscle soreness, and contribute to tooth wear from excessive pressure.
Temporalis (stress-related tension) – This large, fan-shaped muscle extends from your temple area down to your jaw. It assists with chewing but frequently holds tension during periods of stress or concentration. When overworked, it can cause temple headaches and contribute to the feeling of a “tight” jaw that’s difficult to fully relax.
Lateral Pterygoid (jaw movement control) – An internal jaw muscle that controls side-to-side jaw movement and helps open your mouth. When this muscle becomes tense or overactive from chronic clenching, it can contribute to jaw clicking, uneven jaw movement, and difficulty fully opening your mouth comfortably.
Medial Pterygoid (jaw closure support) – This deep muscle works alongside the masseter to close your jaw and assist with chewing. When overworked from clenching habits, it can cause deep jaw ache and contribute to the feeling of jaw stiffness, particularly when trying to open your mouth wide or chew tougher foods.

🤔 Did You Know?

Muscle tension in the face and jaw can contribute to symptoms you might not immediately connect to dentistry.

How You Focus

🧠 Stress-Linked Clenching

Concentration or stress can cause unconscious clenching, leading to facial muscle fatigue.

How You Chew

😮‍💨 Muscle Imbalance

Uneven jaw muscle tension during chewing can cause fatigue and discomfort on one side.

How You Exercise

💪 Workout Clenching

Physical exertion or intense exercise can trigger jaw muscle tension and unconscious teeth clenching.

How You Speak

🧘 Speaking Strain

Overworked jaw or lip muscles can affect clarity, comfort, and speech flow.

How You Rest

😐 Ongoing Tension

Constant muscle contraction at rest can lead to fatigue or facial tightness.

How You Eat

↔️ Uneven Muscle Tension

One-sided chewing can overload jaw muscles and create imbalanced tension patterns.

How You Sleep

😴 Night Clenching

Unconscious jaw muscle tension during sleep can lead to morning stiffness and fatigue.

How You Wake Up

😵 Morning Fatigue

Jaw muscle overuse during sleep may cause soreness or heaviness on waking.

meet the team

Dentists Assessing and Delivering Therapeutic Muscle Injections

At Beyond Dental Care, therapeutic injections are never offered on request or for cosmetic purposes. Each treatment begins with a full dental consultation to assess your muscle activity, bite pattern, and medical history. Our dentists will only recommend treatment if it complements your oral health care and aligns with your long-term comfort and function.

Dr. Sein Le Way, BDS (Sheffield) dentist in Sandstone Point

⭐5/5

💎 Smile Expert

Dr. Sein Le Way,
BDS (Sheffield)

Female Dentist

Bachelor of Dental Surgery, 2020 (University of Sheffield, UK)

Orthodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry

📍Locations

Hamilton

Sandstone Point

⭐5/5

💝 Family Favourite

Dr. Jacky Shum,
BOH (Dental Science), GradDipDent

Female Dentist

Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science / Graduate Diploma of Dentistry, 2011 (Griffith University)

Restorative & Aesthetic Dental Care, Orthodontics, General Dentistry

📍Locations

Burpengary

⭐5/5

💎 Smile Expert

Dr. Div Arun,
BDS

Male Dentist

Bachelor of Dental Surgery, 2020 (James Cook University)

Preventative Care, Cosmetic Dentistry, Implantology

📍Locations

Burpengary

⚠️ Professional Treatment Requirements

All therapeutic muscle injections are performed by qualified dentists only
Treatment requires comprehensive dental examination and medical history review
Not suitable for all patients – individual assessment determines eligibility
Results and treatment duration vary between individuals
This is a prescription treatment requiring professional clinical judgment

Start With a Dental Check-Up

We evaluate your jaw muscle tension and clenching patterns to determine if therapeutic muscle injections are right for you. Every treatment plan begins with a thorough check-up to ensure safe, effective care.

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