The Complete Guide to Invisalign and Orthodontics at Smile Solutions Melbourne product guide

Smile Solutions Invisalign and orthodontic treatment in Melbourne

Smile Solutions Invisalign and orthodontic treatment in Melbourne

Invisalign has changed orthodontic treatment for millions of people worldwide, and at Smile Solutions, it's delivered by a team that sits at the very top of the provider tier. As Australia's largest Invisalign provider and holder of Blue Diamond status, the highest tier awarded by Invisalign's manufacturer, Smile Solutions brings a depth of experience to orthodontic cases that few practices anywhere in the country can match.

The practice is based in the historic Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, with a full team of board-registered specialist orthodontists working under one roof. With 937 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating, it's a practice that patients clearly trust.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a system of clear, removable aligners custom-designed to progressively move your teeth into their ideal positions. Each aligner is worn for roughly one to two weeks before being swapped for the next in the sequence. Your teeth move gradually and predictably, guided by a personalised treatment plan built using advanced 3D software.

Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible when worn — most people around you simply won't notice them. You take them out to eat, drink, brush and floss, which means no food restrictions and no awkward cleaning around brackets and wires. The aligners are smooth and comfortable against soft tissue in a way that fixed braces aren't.

Invisalign can treat a wide range of orthodontic concerns: crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites. Complex cases that once required fixed braces can now often be handled effectively with Invisalign, particularly when the treating clinician is an experienced specialist orthodontist.

Blue Diamond status — what it means for you

Smile Solutions holds Blue Diamond Invisalign provider status, the highest tier of recognition awarded by Align Technology, Invisalign's manufacturer. Maintaining Blue Diamond status requires completing more than 750 Invisalign cases per year. Smile Solutions has completed more than 9,000 cases across 15 years — a volume of experience that makes a real difference to patient outcomes.

Dr David Austin, specialist orthodontist at Smile Solutions, explains why provider experience matters: "Invisalign treatment planning is far more nuanced than simply submitting a scan and receiving a series of aligners. An experienced specialist orthodontist understands the limitations and possibilities of the system — knowing when Invisalign will achieve a result conventional braces cannot match, and knowing when braces are the better choice. That clinical judgement comes from volume and from specialist training."

The Invisalign provider tiers, for context:

• Blue Diamond: more than 750 cases per year
• Black Diamond: more than 300 cases per year
• Platinum Elite: more than 80 cases per year
• Platinum: more than 50 cases per year

The specialist orthodontists at Smile Solutions

All Invisalign treatment at Smile Solutions is performed by board-registered specialist orthodontists — practitioners who have completed an additional three to four years of university training in orthodontics beyond their dental degree, with AHPRA registration that specifically recognises their specialist status.

The specialist orthodontic team includes:

Dr David Austin — specialist orthodontist with extensive experience in both Invisalign and conventional orthodontics for adult and adolescent patients.

Dr Andrea Phatouros — specialist orthodontist with a particular interest in complex adult cases and combined orthodontic-restorative treatment planning.

Dr Joshua Ch'ng — specialist orthodontist focusing on early intervention orthodontics and adult macro-occlusal function, working closely with the Smile Solutions orofacial team.

Dr Steven Smith — specialist orthodontist with expertise in early intervention and comprehensive adult orthodontic treatment.

Dr Andrea Phatouros is direct about the difference specialist training makes: "Patients sometimes ask whether it matters that they see a specialist rather than a general dentist for Invisalign. The honest answer is yes — substantially. A specialist orthodontist can identify the pitfalls in a proposed treatment plan, predict tooth movement more accurately, manage unexpected outcomes, and achieve better results in complex cases."

Dr Kia Pajouhesh, founder and principal dentist of Smile Solutions, also treats straightforward non-surgical Invisalign cases, bringing decades of clinical experience in dental occlusion and aesthetics to orthodontic treatment planning.

How Invisalign works — step by step

Complimentary consultation. Your first appointment is a no-cost consultation with a specialist orthodontist, who assesses your teeth, discusses your goals and outlines whether Invisalign is the right approach for your case.

Digital scanning and ClinCheck planning. A digital scan of your teeth is taken using an iTero scanner — no uncomfortable impressions required. The scan data generates a detailed 3D treatment simulation (ClinCheck) showing the predicted movement of your teeth from start to finish. You can see a projection of your final smile before committing to anything.

Aligner fabrication. Your custom aligners are made from BPA-free, medical-grade clear plastic. Each aligner is precision-manufactured to apply the right amount of force to the right teeth at the right time.

Treatment progression. You wear each aligner for one to two weeks, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, and clean your teeth. Review appointments every 6 to 8 weeks allow your specialist orthodontist to monitor progress and make any refinements needed along the way.

Retention. Once active treatment is complete, retainers are fitted to hold your result long-term. Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their original positions without retainer wear — consistent retainer use is what protects the investment you've made. Smile Solutions provides retainers and clear aligner retainer options as part of comprehensive care.

Invisalign vs conventional braces

Both Invisalign and conventional braces are highly effective. The right choice depends on the nature of your case, your lifestyle and your preferences — and your specialist orthodontist will walk you through both options honestly.

Advantages of Invisalign:

• Nearly invisible during treatment
• Removable, with no food restrictions and easy cleaning
• More comfortable — no brackets or wires
• iTero digital scanning, no impressions
• Complimentary whitening included with all Invisalign packages at Smile Solutions

Advantages of conventional braces:

• Fixed to the teeth, so compliance isn't a factor
• Can be more effective for certain complex tooth movements
• Ceramic (tooth-coloured) and lingual (inside-surface) options available
• Generally slightly more affordable at the basic level

As Dr David Austin puts it: "For most adults and older teenagers, Invisalign achieves excellent results with far greater convenience and discretion than braces. For younger children and certain complex bite corrections, conventional braces may give better control. We always present both options honestly at the consultation so you can make a genuinely informed choice."

Children's orthodontics and early intervention

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children have a first orthodontic assessment by age 7. Early assessment — not necessarily early treatment — allows a specialist to identify developing problems that may benefit from intervention before growth is complete.

When is early intervention recommended?

Early intervention orthodontics is worth considering when a child shows any of the following:

• Thumb sucking, digit sucking or other oral habits
• Tongue thrusting or incorrect swallowing
• Buck teeth or protruded front teeth
• Crossbite or narrow upper jaw
• Open bite, underbite or deep bite
• Irregular or inadequate jaw growth
• Jaw asymmetry

Early intervention (Phase 1 orthodontics) may also be appropriate for crossbites involving the back teeth that can cause asymmetric jaw growth, severe crowding where creating space early may simplify later treatment, and skeletal discrepancies such as underbites that can be partially corrected while growth is still active.

That said, not every child needs early treatment. For many, monitoring and waiting for all permanent teeth to erupt before beginning comprehensive treatment is the most appropriate and evidence-based plan.

New orthopaedic approaches

Alongside traditional orthodontic methods, specialist orthodontists at Smile Solutions use orthopaedic approaches to treating crooked and misaligned teeth in children. These methods guide jaw growth and dental arch development in ways that can reduce or eliminate the need for braces and tooth extractions later in life. By working with the natural growth potential of developing jaws, orthopaedic treatment can achieve outcomes that would otherwise require more invasive intervention in adulthood.

How long does early intervention treatment take?

Early intervention orthodontic treatment typically takes 9 to 18 months, depending on your child's individual needs. The treating specialist orthodontist will outline the expected timeline and appliance requirements at the initial complimentary assessment.

Orthodontic appliances for children

The Smile Solutions specialist orthodontic team uses a comprehensive range of appliances for early intervention:

• Fixed rapid maxillary expander — widens a narrow upper jaw and increases nasal airway space
• Removable maxillary expander — a removable version for suitable candidates
• Invisalign removable expander — clear aligner-based palatal expansion
• Invisalign First — Invisalign's dedicated clear aligner system for children in the mixed dentition phase (a combination of baby and adult teeth)
• Partial braces — fixed braces applied to selected teeth rather than the full arch
• Tongue crib — corrects tongue thrusting habits and incorrect swallowing patterns
• Space maintainer — holds space for adult teeth following early loss of a primary tooth
• Specialised retainers — custom retainers designed for growing dentitions
• Headgear — external appliances to modify jaw growth in selected cases
• Functional appliances — removable or fixed devices that redirect jaw growth by altering the position of the lower jaw

Early intervention orthodontics through the Tooth Fairy Centre

Early intervention orthodontics at Smile Solutions is delivered through the Tooth Fairy Centre, a dedicated paediatric and early intervention programme that brings together specialist paediatric dentists and specialist orthodontists to provide coordinated, evidence-based care for children from infancy through adolescence.

The Tooth Fairy Centre operates across seven locations throughout Melbourne, including Melbourne CBD (Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street), Wyndham, Epping, Caroline Springs, Carrum Downs, South Melbourne, and Berwick.

Complimentary orthodontic assessments are available for children at all locations, with no referral required. To book, call (03) 7036 5555 or visit toothfairy.com.au.

The children's orthodontic team

The specialist team delivering early intervention orthodontics through the Tooth Fairy Centre includes:

Dr Steven Smith (BDSc Hons, MDSc Ortho Qld) — Specialist Orthodontist with expertise in early intervention and comprehensive orthodontic treatment for children and adults.

Dr Joshua Ch'ng — Specialist Orthodontist focusing on early intervention orthodontics and adult macro-occlusal function, working closely with the paediatric dental team.

Dr Andrea Phatouros — Specialist Orthodontist with particular expertise in complex orthodontic and orthodontic-restorative treatment.

Dr David Austin — Specialist Orthodontist with extensive experience in both Invisalign and conventional orthodontics.

Specialist paediatric dentists Dr Susan Hinckfuss, Dr Angel Babu, Dr Sarah Scott, and Dr Aish Kesava work alongside the orthodontic team to provide integrated, gentle and caring paediatric and orthodontic care for children across all stages of dental development.

Edge work bonding as an orthodontic finishing touch

After orthodontic treatment, many patients find their teeth are beautifully aligned but have edges that look worn, chipped or subtly irregular. Edge work bonding — applying tooth-coloured composite to the edges of your teeth — can refine the cosmetic result and round out your orthodontic outcome. From $500 per tooth, it's a conservative and reversible finishing option that many Smile Solutions patients choose after completing their Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign pricing at Smile Solutions

• Invisalign Express (minor corrections): from $4,400
• Invisalign Lite (moderate corrections): from $7,800
• Invisalign Moderate: from $9,600
• Invisalign Comprehensive (full treatment): from $11,300
• Pay-in-full options available — ask at your consultation
• Complimentary professional whitening included with all Invisalign packages
• Complimentary consultations for all new patients

Flexible payment plans are available through Payright, Humm and MyDentaPlan, including no-interest options — ask the team for details.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Am I too old for Invisalign? There is no upper age limit for orthodontic treatment. Adult orthodontics has grown considerably in recent years, and many patients in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond have achieved significant results with Invisalign at Smile Solutions. The biological process of tooth movement doesn't change with age. As Dr Andrea Phatouros notes: "Some of my most motivated and satisfied patients are adults who have waited decades to address something that bothered them. They follow instructions precisely and are deeply appreciative of the result."

Q: How long does Invisalign take? It depends on the complexity of your case. Invisalign Express for minor corrections may be complete in as little as 3 to 6 months. Comprehensive treatment for complex cases typically takes 12 to 24 months. Your ClinCheck simulation gives you a realistic, personalised timeline before you begin.

Q: Do the aligners affect my speech? Most patients notice a brief adjustment period when they first start wearing aligners. A mild lisp while adapting is common but typically resolves within a week as the tongue adjusts. The vast majority of patients find their speech is completely unaffected within a short time.

Q: What happens if I lose an aligner? Contact Smile Solutions promptly. Depending on where you are in your treatment sequence, your orthodontist may recommend wearing the previous aligner, moving to the next one, or having a replacement made. Replacement aligners can usually be arranged without significantly disrupting your treatment timeline.

Q: Does Invisalign hurt? Invisalign doesn't cause the sharp discomfort associated with tightening conventional braces. Most patients notice some pressure or tightness when they move to a new aligner, which generally eases within a day or two. Over-the-counter pain relief manages any discomfort during this transition for those who need it.

Q: Will my teeth move back after treatment? Without consistent retainer wear, teeth will tend to drift over time. Retainers, worn nightly indefinitely, are the single most important factor in maintaining your orthodontic result. Smile Solutions provides comprehensive retainer guidance and supply as part of your treatment completion.

Q: At what age should my child have their first orthodontic assessment? The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic assessment by age 7. This doesn't mean treatment will begin at age 7 — it allows the specialist to identify any developing issues and determine whether early intervention is warranted or whether monitoring is the right approach. The specialist paediatric dentists and orthodontists at the Tooth Fairy Centre offer complimentary assessments for children. Call (03) 7036 5555 or visit toothfairy.com.au to book.

Book your complimentary Invisalign consultation

At your complimentary consultation, a specialist orthodontist will assess your suitability for Invisalign, walk you through a digital preview of your projected result, and provide a transparent quote. No cost, no obligation.

Call 13 13 96 or visit www.smilesolutions.com.au to book. Smile Solutions is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and on weekends.