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We are excited to announce that a new Orthodontist is joining Orthoclinic.

Dr Elise McConnell BDS (Adel), BScDent (Hons)(Adel), DClinDent (Orth)(Syd), MRACDS (Orth), MOrthRCS (Edin)

Dr McConnell graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with First Class Honours from the University of Adelaide in 2011.  She graduated with the University Medal for overall academic and clinical excellence over the 5-year degree.  Dr McConnell then received a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics in 2016 with multiple accolades.  These include a high distinction average, Australian Society of Orthodontists NSW Clinical Day post-graduate prize for best-treated clinical case, and the John McDonald Medal for first place internationally in her clinical cases & treatment planning (Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh).

Dr McConnell maintains memberships with the Australian Society of Orthodontists, Australian Dental Association, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh), American Association of Orthodontists, European Orthodontic Society, & World Federation of Orthodontists.

Dr McConnell has been a Canberra based Orthodontist since 2017 and considers Canberra her home.  She comes from a family of dentists & is even married to a Canberra based specialist Periodontist, Dr Hugh Lenehan.  She has three children, Archie, Alicia & Oscar.

We are honoured to have such a high calibre, capable & caring Orthodontist join our practice. We look forward to personally introducing Dr McConnell to you.  She is looking forward to contributing to your Orthodontic care at Orthoclinic.

Orthoclinic will reopen its orthodontic clinic in Manuka from Tuesday 5 May 2020.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Comittee (AHPPC) comprised of all state and territory Chief Health Officers and chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer has recommended an easing of dental practice restrictions from Level 3 to Level 2.

Level 2 dental restrictions allow for simple dental procedures that are unlikely generate aerosol.  Aerosol is the mixture of fine dust or water droplets (mist) in the air that can transmit the COVID-19 virus creating potential cross infection risk between patients and dental staff.

The ADA’s Managing COVID-19 Guidance document does include orthodontic treatment in Level 2 restrictions.  However, our practice will still be limited due to these restrictions.

Please keep your next scheduled appointment.
Most appointment types will be remain as scheduled from 4 May 2020. We will not be able to move your appointment forward due to scheduling issues this shutdown has caused.  We may need to cancel & reappoint certain procedures on a case by case basis to adhere to Level 2 guidelines.  You will receive an appointment reminder prior to your appointment by SMS and email.  Please contact us on 02 6295 2005 to change/confirm this appointment.

Monthly direct debit payments will resume.
Orthoclinic paused all direct debit scheduled payments for the month of April 2020 which will recommence from in May 2020.  The April 2020 installment will be drawn on the month after your scheduled final payment.

Is it safe for me to attend my appointment ?
Yes.  Orthoclinic has all the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and standard infection control protocols to safely treat you within the scope of the Level 2 restrictions.  Additionally, new protocols are being followed to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing rules and surface disinfection procedures.

Instructions for attending your appointment.
1. Please arrive on time – Patients arriving too early will be requested to wait on the street and those arriving too late may not be seen.
2. Patient Plus One Family Member – no more than one additional family member may attend the clinic with patient.  Ideally, only patient will attend the clinic for their appointment.
3. DO NOT ATTEND & call for advice if –
a) you have returned from overseas/interstate in the past 14 days
b) feel unwell, including but not limited to symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath
c) had contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
d) you are over 70 years old, or have a chronic disease in particular, cadiovascular or respiratory disease or are immunocompromised eg: under cancer treatment or insulin dependent diabetic
4. Use hand santiser provided during check in with reception

Please do not hesitate to contact reception on 02 6295 2005 for questions you may have.  We look forward to seeing you all again soon !

Orthoclinic

Orthoclinic will temporarily shutdown its orthodontic clinic in Manuka effective from Friday 27 March.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Comittee (AHPPC) comprised of all state and territory Chief Health Officers and chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer has provided the following recommendations:

“…. that all dental practices implement Level 3 restrictions as outlined in the Australian Dental Association’s (ADA) Managing COVID-19 Guidance document. That is, dentist should only perform dental treatments that do not generate aerosols, or where treatment generating aerosols is limited. All routine examinations and treatment should be deferred.”

The ADA’s Managing COVID-19 Guidance document does not include orthodontic treatment in Level 3 restrictions and therefore, Orthoclinic must no longer see patients until the restrictions are lowered to Level 2 or less.

What does this mean for my next orthodontic appointment ?

We plan on reappointing all current appointments to delay them by 6 weeks.  You will be informed of your new appointment time and date by email and SMS.  If the time provided is not suitable, please contact us on 02 6295 2005 to change this appointment.

What if I have a problem with my braces while Orthoclinic is in shutdown ?

Reception will be contactable by phone (02 6295 2005) or email (reception@orthoclinic.net.au) during normal business hours Monday-Friday during this shutdown period.  We will triage orthodontic issues in accordance with the Level 3 restrictions and provide assistance accordingly.

How does this impact my orthodontic treatment progression ?

Any delay in your next orthodontic treatment appointment will simply add further treatment time to your overall treatment.  This only becomes problematic if your oral hygiene is not adequate, which can lead to dental decay.  For those patients with braces, please ensure that tooth brushing is performed for 2 minutes after morning and evening meals at a minimum.

What about my scheduled direct debit payments for treatment ?

Orthoclinic has paused all direct debit scheduled payments for the month of April 2020.  It is not our intention to charge you for treatment we are not able to deliver.

When will you reopen ?

When dental practice restrictions have been reduced to Level 2 or lower as dictated by the AHPCC.

Please do not hesitate to contact reception on 02 6295 2005 for questions you may have.  More updates to come…

Orthoclinic

Due to the increase of Covid-19 cases in the ACT the Australian Dental Association have given us specific guidelines to follow.

Our practice is currently still open but we are only seeing essential appointments, classifications below:

Essential appointments – orthodontic adjustments, appliance checks, retainer checks if something is wrong with the retainer, braces placement only if teeth have already been removed
Non essential appointments – new patient consults, treatment plan consults, diagnostic records, reviews, retainer checks, braces going on

Removal of braces – We are also not able to produce any aerosol in the practice which means no water spray, no ultrasonic cleaner and no rotary air handpieces for glue removal. We are trying to look at alternative solutions and order some specific instruments in so that we are still able to keep the removal of brace appointments.  We will contact you if your appointment requires alteration.

We are reappointing all non essential appointments that were booked up to Friday 3rd April which then we will reassess the situation and update you accordingly. We are working through contacting everyone who classifies as a non essential appointment and reappointing for 6 weeks time, but if you know your appointment booked prior to Friday 3 April falls under this category please do not attend your appointment.

For patients who are still coming into the practice for their appointments, to reduce the amount of people in the waiting area and keep to the social distancing requirements we ask that patients attend the clinic by themselves or with only 1 family member.

Should you wish to discuss anything urgently please feel free to call the practice on 6295 2005.  Further updates and information to come….

Stay safe,

Orthoclinic

‘What can I eat?’ Orthodontists often hear this common question from people who just got braces.

Fortunately, there are more things that you can eat than things that you can’t eat. Here are some of the foods you should avoid and what you can eat instead.

1. Corn on the Cob

Imagine biting into a hard piece of corn on the cob. As you imagine this scenario, you can see how quickly corn on the cob could damage your braces. The act of biting it could break your wires or your brackets.

What to eat instead: Try cutting the corn off the cob with a sharp knife and eating the corn pieces with a fork. You’ll still get the fresh taste from corn on the cob without risking broken braces.

2. Hard and Chewy Candy

Like corn on the cob, hard candy is difficult to chew and can damage your braces.  Candies to avoid include:

• Lollies
• Liquorice
• Nougats
• Chewy candy bars
• Taffy

Some of these treats, like taffy, can get stuck around and under your brackets. It can be difficult to remove this candy residue, even with brushing and flossing.

What to eat instead: Eat chocolate or candy that dissolves in your mouth and doesn’t require chewing.

3. Popcorn

Before you got braces, you bought a big bowl of popcorn at the movie theatre. Now that you have braces, those little pieces of popcorn could get stuck under your brackets. Plus, biting down on popcorn seeds could ruin your brackets.

What to eat instead: Try hulless popcorn, a type of popcorn with a smaller kernel. It is more tender and easier to chew. Or, pick softer snacks like ice cream.

4. Gum

Chewing gum puts a lot of pressure on your braces, causing the wire to bend and break. If the wire is bent, your braces can’t move your teeth into the right position. Your orthodontist will need to replace the wire. Bending the wire could prolong your time with braces.

What to eat instead: If you want to freshen your breath, suck on a breath mint instead. Just remember not to chew it.

5. Raw Vegetables

You can’t imagine someone telling you not to eat your veggies. But if you have braces, you shouldn’t eat raw vegetables like:

• Celery
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower

Continue to eat vegetables, because these healthy foods give your teeth the nutrients they need.

What to eat instead: You can still eat these vegetables—simply boil them until they’re soft.

6. Chewy Bread and Meat

You may find that some foods you eat on a regular basis suddenly become difficult to chew. These foods include:

• Baguettes
• Pizza crust
• Steak
• Bagels

You may be able to eat these foods by cutting them into tiny pieces and eating them slowly, bite by bite.

What to eat instead: Try incorporating softer foods into your diet, such as mashed potatoes, pasta and soup.

Take Care of Your Braces

Paying attention to what you do and don’t eat can protect your braces and your teeth. When you eat the correct foods, you won’t damage your braces and prolong your treatment.

If you can’t stand the thought of giving up these foods, consider Invisalign instead of traditional braces. Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligners. You can remove these aligners to eat, so you are free to eat what you normally would.

If you have questions about what you can and can’t eat, talk to an orthodontist. He or she will also provide you with additional advice to care for your teeth while you wear braces. Keep referring to our blog for more information about living a healthy life with braces.

If you are thinking about getting an orthodontic treatment, then you probably have one very important question. When do I need to see an orthodontist in Canberra? There are several ways that this question can be answered. Any time that you have a question about your bite and/or the way that your teeth are aligned, you should see one of the orthodontists in Canberra.

For example, if you are having problems speaking, chewing and biting because some of your teeth are misplaced, crowded or protruding, then you will need to consult with one of the leading Canberra orthodontists Orthoclinic. Orthodontists in Canberra such as Orthoclinic have the special training and skills needed to diagnose and treat the problem.

There are other conditions that warrant a trip to an orthodontist in Canberra. Teeth grinding, mouth breathing and inability to close your mouth comfortably are some of the conditions that may require orthodontic treatment. Additionally, Canberra orthodontists can correct tooth abnormalities that are caused by facial asymmetry or imbalance.

Children are advised to see an orthodontist by the age of seven. There are two reasons that children need to see an orthodontist. Orthodontist can determine whether a child has enough room in his or her mouth to accommodate the permanent teeth. It is also a lot easier to correct tooth problems early.

Children who receive orthodontic care early may require shorter treatment times. Keep in mind that just because a child receives an examination from an orthodontist does not mean that he or she will receive treatment right away. In fact, the vast majority of children do not receive orthodontic treatment until they are at least nine years-old.

It is important to note that orthodontic care is not just for children. More and more adults are choosing to get orthodontic treatment. Many adults who receive orthodontic care feel self-conscious about their smile. Orthodontic treatment can improve one’s smile, which can increase one’s confidence.

Well-aligned teeth not only improve appearance, but they can also improve oral health. It is easier to clean the teeth when they are lined up properly. This can reduce one’s chances of developing gum disease and cavities.

Anyone can benefit from orthodontic treatment, regardless of his or her age. Non-compliance is one of the things that reduces the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment, but this usually is not a problem in adults. There are also many types of braces that one can choose from, including lingual braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners.

Contact Orthoclinic today to book an appointment with an orthodontist in Canberra.

If you want to straighten your teeth but you’re skeptical about having traditional braces, an Invisalign treatment with Orthoclinic in Canberra may be the solution. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to straighten teeth. This method is used for overcrowding, gap filling and various bite corrections. It’s available to adults of all ages, but there is a special version of the product for teenagers as well.

Before you visit an orthodontist offering Invisalign in Canberra, consider your personal needs. Some people aren’t ideal candidates for this type of treatment, so discuss all your expectations with the dental practitioner upfront. Once you decide Invisalign is right for you, your Canberra orthodontist will create moulds of your teeth. The moulds will be converted to digital models, and a customized treatment plan will be determined based on the images.

You will replace your aligners every two weeks, which allows your teeth to shift gradually until they are in their final positions. Each aligner will fit precisely and comfortably. The length of time it takes to make corrections varies from person to person and depends on how complex the problem is. If your case isn’t too severe, you may need to wear the Invisalign appliance for six months to a year.

The Invisalign Teen appliance works the same as the original, but it is designed specifically for teenagers. Extra features have been added that focus on the active lifestyle of the younger generation. This includes blue indicators on each aligner that fade with wear. The teen aligners are designed to fit the unique structure of a young person’s smile as well.

One of the main benefits to using the Invisalign system is that the aligners are extremely comfortable. There are no metal wires or brackets to cause irritation. Because the aligners can be removed, it’s easy to stick to a daily oral hygiene regimen. Another advantage to choosing this product over the conventional alternative is that the aligners are practically invisible and inconspicuous.

Once you meet with Orthoclinic offering Invisalign in Canberra, you can begin the journey toward a healthier and more beautiful smile.

Contact Orthoclinic today to book an appointment and discuss the possibility of an Invisalign treatment.