Paediatric Dental Specialists at Smile Solutions Melbourne product guide

Smile Solutions Paediatric Dental Specialists — Product Guide

Smile Solutions Paediatric Dental Specialists

Smile Solutions is home to five board-registered Specialist Paediatric Dentists, based at the Collins Street Specialist Centre (Level 12 and Tower) in Melbourne's Manchester Unity Building.

Our paediatric team:

• Dr Susan Hinckfuss — BDSc, MDSc, PhD, Specialist Prosthodontist and dual-qualified in Paediatric Dentistry.
• Dr Sarah Scott — BDSc, MDSc, Specialist Paediatric Dentist.
• Dr Ramya Babu — BDSc, MDSc, Specialist Paediatric Dentist.
• Dr Hanny Calache — BDSc, MDSc, Specialist Paediatric Dentist.
• Dr Mihiri Silva — BDSc, MDSc, Specialist Paediatric Dentist.

Each specialist brings genuine clinical depth and a commitment to your child's long-term oral health, with an approach that tends to put young patients at ease from the first visit.

Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS): Eligible children receive up to $1,095.60 in dental benefits over a two-year period. Smile Solutions bulk bills under the CDBS, so eligible children access specialist care with no out-of-pocket costs.

Services: First dental visits, fissure sealants, fluoride treatment, fillings, extractions, space maintainers, habit correction, dental trauma, and special needs dentistry, all tailored to your child's individual needs.

The Tooth Fairy at Smile Solutions lives in the Gothic tower of the Manchester Unity Building — one of Melbourne's most cherished heritage landmarks, and a fitting home for children's dentistry.

Location: Collins Street Specialist Centre, Level 12 and Tower, 220 Collins Street. Phone: 13 13 96

Early intervention orthodontics at the Tooth Fairy Centre

One of the most useful services available at the Tooth Fairy Centre at Smile Solutions is early intervention orthodontics, sometimes called Phase 1 orthodontics. This is orthodontic treatment that begins before all of your child's adult teeth have come through, typically between ages six and ten, addressing developing concerns while the jaw is still growing and most responsive to gentle guidance.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic assessment around age six or seven. At the Tooth Fairy Centre, those assessments are complimentary, so you can get a clear picture of your child's developmental outlook at no cost.

Conditions that may benefit from early intervention

A number of concerns are best addressed when caught early, including:

• Crossbites (where upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth)
• Crowding or a narrow upper jaw
• Buck teeth or protruded upper front teeth
• Underbite or deep bite
• Irregularity in jaw growth or facial asymmetry
• Snoring, mouth breathing, or symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing
• Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting habits

If you've noticed any of these in your child, a complimentary assessment with our specialist team is a good place to start. The earlier these concerns are identified, the more options there are to guide development in the right direction.

Appliances used in Phase 1 orthodontics

Our specialists recommend a treatment approach based on your child's specific clinical needs. Appliances that may be used include:

• Fixed or removable Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) to widen the upper jaw
• Invisalign First or Invisalign Palatal Expander for clear aligner-based expansion
• Partial braces to address specific alignment concerns
• Tongue crib to help eliminate harmful oral habits
• Space maintainers to preserve space for adult teeth
• Functional appliances to guide jaw growth
• Headgear in select cases

Your child's progress is monitored closely throughout treatment by our specialist paediatric team.

Benefits of early treatment

Early intervention can create space for adult teeth to erupt correctly, reduce the likelihood of extractions later in life, improve nasal breathing and airway function, and help prevent dental trauma to protruded front teeth. In many cases, Phase 1 treatment simplifies — and sometimes eliminates the need for — more extensive orthodontic work during the teenage years.

Phase 1 treatment typically runs for nine to eighteen months, followed by a monitoring period until all adult teeth have fully erupted. Your child stays supported by our specialist team throughout.

Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) information

If your child has been prescribed an RME at Smile Solutions, the information below covers what to expect and how to manage the appliance day to day. Our team is always available if you have questions along the way.

What to expect

When the RME is first fitted, it will feel unfamiliar on the roof of your child's mouth — this is normal. Most children adjust within the first few days. Common early experiences include:

• Difficulty swallowing — typically resolves within a few days as your child's mouth adapts
• Changes in speech — speech usually improves within a week with regular talking and practice
• Increased saliva flow — a temporary response that passes quickly
• A gap between the upper front teeth — completely normal during active expansion; it closes naturally once the expansion phase is complete

These are all signs the appliance is working as intended.

Turning the RME

Turn the key three times per week — for example, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday — using the key provided at your appointment. To activate the appliance: tilt your child's head back, insert the key into the hole in the appliance, push firmly towards the back of the mouth until it stops, then remove the key downward and out. Consistent turning as directed is important to getting the best outcome.

Cleaning

Brush your child's teeth and the appliance twice daily, morning and night. Rinse after meals to clear food debris. Use a small interdental brush to clean under and around the appliance where a standard toothbrush won't reach.

Diet during RME treatment

Your child should avoid sticky foods — chewing gum, toffee, caramels — and very hard foods that could dislodge or damage the appliance. Soft options like fresh fruit, yoghurt, cooked vegetables, and pasta work well throughout treatment.

With consistent care, RME treatment is generally straightforward and sets your child up for a healthier, well-developed smile.

To book a complimentary orthodontic assessment at Smile Solutions, call 13 13 96.