A guide to costs of orthodontic treatment can be found here: https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/how-much-braces-cost/ We are all unique and so are our teeth! We provide interceptive orthodontic treatment as well as braces and clear aligners. The costs associated with your orthodontic treatment will depend on what may be required. We would love to meet you to discuss your options! Please fill out your details on our website and a staff member will call you back as soon as possible! Otherwise, feel free to call us on 03 5442 7802 We look forward to meeting you soon :)

The reasons for having your teeth straightened are as individual as the treatment available, aesthetic improvement is just one of them. Confidence People are very aware of how teeth look and an attractive smile can play an important role in enhancing self-confidence. First impressions are made when a person smiles and many people with less than perfect teeth may find that they do not smile as often. Hygiene It’s more difficult to clean your teeth when they are crowded and overlapping. Plaque damage due to inadequate cleaning is a major factor in tooth decay, gum disease and eventual tooth loss. Having your teeth straightened will make it easier for you to look after them. Tooth wear A poorly aligned bite may lead to excessive or uneven wear of teeth. Gum damage Crooked teeth can damage gums. For example with a deep bite, the lower front teeth can bite into the gum behind the upper front teeth, causing wear and discomfort. Jaw joint problems Damage and pain in and around the jaw joint can be caused by poor natural alignment. Speech Some people have difficulty speaking properly because of alignment problems with their teeth and jaws. So whilst the importance and power of a great smile should never be underestimated, there is so much more to orthodontics than that Hollywood smile. Think your teeth might need some re-aligning? Then visit Bendigo Orthodontic Specialists and let us make you smile!

It can be difficult to know what age is appropriate to send your child to an orthodontist for assessment. Dr. Haylea Blundell agrees with the Australian Society of Orthodontists and recommend children to be assessed by a registered specialist orthodontist between the ages of 8-10 years. Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Even when early orthodontic intervention is not required at 8-10 years of age, we can carefully monitor the growth and development of the patient and begin treatment when timing is ideal. Primarily, the aim of interceptive orthodontics (Phase 1 / early treatment) is to guide the permanent teeth into their correct position and to facilitate proper growth and development of the jaws. Some specific goals of interceptive (early) treatment include: Create room for crowded, erupting teeth Preserve space for unerupted permanent teeth and reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth Establish facial symmetry or balance by modifying jaw growth Harmonize the width of the dental arches Eliminate crossbites that, if uncorrected, may negatively affect growth of the jaws or cause premature wear on the teeth Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth Reduce the need for tooth extraction in the future Simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics Correct harmful oral habits Improve self-esteem We aim to address orthodontic concerns in children at the appropriate age so that we can help achieve the best result and improve their self-confidence during their school years. As a specialist orthodontist, we have the expertise to know the right treatment options and appropriate timing of treatment for your child. Call our friendly team (03 5442 7802) to organise a consultation for your child.

At Bendigo Orthodontic Specialists we understand the financial pressures on families today, therefore payment plans are available for your orthodontic care. An initial deposit is paid when the appliances are constructed or fitted, and the balance is then (via a third party with a one-off small administration fee) paid off in monthly instalments for the duration of your treatment.

No referral is necessary to book your orthodontic consultation! However, we do ask that you visit your general dentist for a check-up and clean prior to starting your orthdontic treatment and for any dental concerns such as gum issues or decay be addressed prior to having your orthdontic appliances.

Yes. Patients can have braces while playing contact sports although a mouthguard is required. Please let us know if you do play a contact sport so we can organise a mouthguard for you.

Dr. Haylea Blundell has completed a three-year full-time specialty degree (Doctor of Clinical Dentistry - Orthodontics) to be qualified as specialist orthodontists; on top of a five year full-time dental degree and College examinations. Our specialist degree is recognised by AHPRA and the Australian Orthodontic Board. As such, Dr. Haylea Blundell is an expert in diagnosis, treatment planning and management of tooth and jaw alignment problems. The most important factor in success of your orthodontic treatment is to get the plan right and with the additional training to become a specialist Dr. Haylea Blundell has the experience to know when to intercept and prevent further problems developing; and when to wait. Dr. Haylea Blundell practises evidence-based orthodontic treatment using contemporary approaches and equipment, to ensure your orthodontic treatment is completed to a high standard and within an efficient manner. Our patients are our main priority and tailoring our treatment plan to your individual needs is important to us. We are here to make sure you fully understand your treatment options so that you can make an informed choice about your orthodontic treatment. We maintain communication with your general dentist and any other specialists if required to ensure we address your dental concerns. Finally, Dr. Haylea Blundell is a local to Bendigo. Dr. Haylea is passionate about the Bendigo community and is here to provide orthodontic care to her patients and create beautiful smiles

Your first appointment takes approximately 20 minutes to ensure we have all the information required to assess your treatment needs at an individual level. Evaluating your face shape, teeth and your growth are important, and to thoroughly assess these aspects we look at digital photographs of your face and teeth, as well as radiographs (x-rays). After we have assessed all the information required to formulate your tailored treatment plan, estimated treatment time, costs, and the appropriate time to start your orthodontic treatment will be discussed. In some cases, the best option may be to post-pone your treatment until a later stage. Good oral hygiene is important, and we require patients to maintain a high standard of oral hygiene throughout their orthodontic treatment. Prior to visiting Dr. Haylea Blundell it is important to organise a check-up with your general dentist to ensure any decay and/or any other dental issues are addressed. This is to ensure your teeth and gums are in a healthy state prior to starting orthodontic treatment to help achieve a great result. We have dental auxiliaries that may assist with your treatment, which can include taking the facial and teeth photos and the dental impressions and/or digital scan prior to treatment, so we have a record of your teeth and bite prior to starting orthodontic treatment.

Absolutely! It is very important to continue your regular 6-monthly dental check-ups to prevent and detect dental decay, and to monitor your overall dental health.

Health funds repay some of the cost of orthodontic treatment for fund members who have the appropriate level of dental insurance (major dental). We highly recommend checking the premiums, conditions and level of rebate to see whether it would be beneficial to have health insurance for orthodontic treatment