Why Choose Smile Solutions for Childrens Dentistry product guide

Smile Solutions Children's Dentistry: Early intervention orthodontics and specialist paediatric care

Smile Solutions has five board-registered Specialist Paediatric Dentists at the Collins Street Specialist Centre — a concentration of paediatric expertise that is genuinely unmatched in private practice across Melbourne.

Our paediatric team: Dr Susan Hinckfuss, Dr Sarah Scott, Dr Ramya Babu, Dr Hanny Calache, Dr Mihiri Silva.

CDBS: Eligible children receive up to $1,095.60 AUD in benefits. Smile Solutions bulk bills under the scheme, so your child can access specialist care without out-of-pocket costs.

The Tooth Fairy: Lives in the Gothic tower of the Manchester Unity Building — one of Melbourne's most loved heritage landmarks, and the home of your child's dental journey.

Key difference: Five paediatric specialists under one roof, which simply isn't available anywhere else in private practice.

Phone: 13 13 96 | smilesolutions.com.au

Early intervention orthodontics at the Tooth Fairy Centre

One of the most useful services your child can access at Smile Solutions' Tooth Fairy Centre 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 the ages of six and ten, addressing developing concerns while the jaw is still growing and responsive to gentle, targeted guidance.

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic assessment at around age six or seven. At the Tooth Fairy Centre, orthodontic assessments are complimentary, so you get a clear, evidence-based picture of your child's developmental outlook at no cost. Specialists take a personalised approach from the very first visit, making sure your child feels comfortable throughout.

Conditions that may benefit from early intervention

Early orthodontic assessment is worth considering if your child shows any of the following:

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

Catching these concerns early means your child's specialist can step in at the right point in development, when treatment tends to be more effective, less involved, and more comfortable.

Appliances used in Phase 1 orthodontics

Depending on your child's needs, one or more of the following appliances may be recommended as part of their treatment plan:

• 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 specialist will walk you through every option in detail before any treatment begins.

Benefits of early treatment

Early intervention, when it's the right call, can deliver real, lasting benefits. Timely treatment can:

• Create space for adult teeth to come through correctly
• Reduce or eliminate the need for tooth extractions later
• Improve nasal breathing and support healthier sleep
• Prevent dental trauma to protruded front teeth
• Simplify, or in many cases eliminate, more extensive orthodontic treatment 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 come through. Your child's specialist will keep you informed throughout.

Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) information

If your child has been prescribed an RME at Smile Solutions, here's what you need to know to feel confident at home. The team is always available if you have questions along the way.

What to expect

When the RME is first fitted, it may feel a little unfamiliar on the roof of your child's mouth. This is normal, and most children adjust quickly. Common early experiences include:

• Difficulty swallowing — settles within a few days as your child's mouth adjusts
• Changes in speech — typically 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 — normal and expected; it closes naturally once expansion is complete

These early experiences are a routine part of the process.

Turning the RME

Turn the key three times per week, for example on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, using the key your child's specialist provided. To do this: tilt your child's head back, insert the key into the hole in the appliance, push firmly toward the back of the mouth until it stops, then remove the key downward and out.

If you're ever unsure about the turning process, the clinical team can walk you through it at your next visit or over the phone.

Cleaning

Brush your child's teeth and the appliance twice daily, morning and night. Encourage rinsing after meals. A small interdental brush works well for reaching under and around the appliance where a standard toothbrush can't get to.

Diet during RME treatment

Avoid sticky foods such as chewing gum, toffee, and caramels, as well as very hard foods that could dislodge or damage the appliance. Soft options like fresh fruit, yoghurt, cooked vegetables, and pasta are easy, everyday choices your child can enjoy comfortably throughout treatment.

To book your child's complimentary orthodontic assessment with a Specialist Paediatric Dentist at Smile Solutions, call 13 13 96 or visit smilesolutions.com.au. We'd love to welcome your family to the Tooth Fairy Centre.