FAQ

Yes, conditions like crossbite, narrow jaws, protruding teeth, delayed baby tooth loss, missing teeth, and habits like thumbsucking may require early treatment to prevent future complications.

We recommend an initial orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7. Early detection allows us to address potential issues and plan for optimal dental development.

Diagnosis is an important part of orthodontics and unfortunately this can not be done by briefly glancing at someone’s teeth. Orthodontics is a complex field within Dentistry and requires a detailed examination and appropriate record taking to provide you with the best treatment plan for your orthodontic needs.

We see patients between the ages of 10 and 17 without a referral.  For any patients outside of that age group, a referral from a dentist or a community dental clinic is required before making an appointment. 

Early treatment is only provided if it is necessary. In some instances, we may use plates, expanders, or limited braces to correct an orthodontic problem that your child may have. The goal of early treatment is to reduce the severity of orthodontic problems in the future. Most patients who have early treatment will go on to have comprehensive treatment when their adult teeth have erupted. After your first appointment, your Orthodontist will determine if early orthodontic treatment is beneficial. A referral from a dentist or a community dental clinic is preferred for patients under the age of 10 to make a booking.

An 18-month interest-free payment plan is available. This is delivered in-house and is available for all braces and clear aligner treatments. Other treatment options are not eligible for this payment plan. A Direct Debit Authority will be signed and funds are deducted from your nominated bank account on the 1st of every month. A minimum deposit of $2200 is required. Overdue payments will attract an interest charge as per our Terms of Trade. Delinquent accounts will be dealt with as per our Terms of Trade.

To be eligible for an in-house payment plan, the following items are required prior to treatment initiation.

Direct Debit Authority form completed.
Copy of Drivers License or Passport.
Signed acknowledgment for 18-month Payment Plan provided to you.

This payment plan is discretionary and Milk Orthodontics and its representatives are not under any obligation to offer this payment plan.

You may experience mild discomfort in the early days following braces placement. The discomfort will resolve on its own after a few days. After each adjustment your teeth may also feel a little tender. Over the counter pain relief and soft food often is all that is needed to remove any pain.

Common signs include issues such as crossbite, protruding teeth, or difficulty with baby teeth falling out. If you observe any concerns, schedule a consultation for a comprehensive assessment.

You can schedule an appointment by contacting us. You can send an email to hello@milkorthodontics.co.nz, call us at tel:095201880, or fill out this form!

Our office is designed to create a child-friendly environment, with a team that understands the unique needs of young patients. We prioritise making each visit a positive and comfortable experience to alleviate any anxiety.

This depends on how complex your orthodontic needs are and exact timing depends on a variety of factors. Typically full orthodontic treatment takes 18-24 months. Teeth take time to move through bone and if they move too fast then this can lead to irreversible side effects. We will give you an estimate of the expected treatment duration. However, please note that it is only an estimate and treatment duration may be shorter or longer than the estimate we provide. Please be wary of non-specialists or companies offering at home treatment or claiming fast treatment, it is compromised incomplete treatment - you simply cannot use excessive force to speed up a biological response.

The duration varies based on the specific needs of each child. Some treatments may be shorter, focusing on early intervention, while others may be part of a phased approach leading into adolescence.

Every person has different needs so every case is specific and individual. Each treatment plan is personalised and customised for you. Due to these variables, an exact cost cannot be given without an appointment.

The cost of the first appointment to explore orthodontic treatment depends on the age of the patient. Please refer to our pricing page here for more information.

Your first appointment will take approximately 45 minutes. When you come in, we’ll conduct a clinical examination, take diagnostic photos, take X-rays as required, and formulate your orthodontic treatment plan. At this appointment we will outline the entire process, and provide you with the exact treatment cost along with the estimated orthodontic treatment duration.

No, it's never too late! We offer a variety of orthodontic solutions tailored to adults, including discreet options. Schedule a consultation to explore the possibilities for achieving your desired smile.

Every specialist uses different bracket systems which means they have different types of wires and brackets. Wires and brackets are not universal. Therefore, to transfer to our clinic, it will require removing the current braces you have and place our braces so we have the correct wires and brackets to move your teeth in an efficient manner and time.

We would recommend an electric toothbrush as they are more efficient for cleaning.

The Milk Orthodontics team consists of a set of skilled and experienced technicians led by the highly decorated Dr. Shaz McAvoy. Each staff member is trained, qualified, and ready to provide you with the best orthodontic experience!

Early intervention can help correct developing issues, prevent potential trauma to teeth, and promote proper jaw growth. It sets the foundation for a lifetime of optimal oral health and a confident smile.

We understand the importance of aesthetics. Options such as clear aligners and ceramic braces provide discreet alternatives to traditional braces, allowing adults to undergo orthodontic treatment with minimal impact on their appearance.

We have multiple options you can choose from. We will determine what type of treatment will be most beneficial for you at your first appointment. The two most popular types are:

Classic Braces: These are stainless steel brackets and work the best for achieving the best results in the shortest time.

Clear Braces: These brackets are made of a translucent material, providing a more discreet appearance. 

We have multiple options you can choose from. We will determine what type of treatment will be most beneficial for you at your first appointment.

Classic Braces: These are stainless steel brackets and work the best for achieving the best results in the shortest time.

Clear Braces: These brackets are made of a translucent material, providing a more discreet appearance. 

There are two types of retainers in Orthodontics. The first is a fixed or bonded retainer. These are wires bonded/glued on the back of the front teeth to keep your teeth straight after the removal of braces. This is common practice and reduces the chances of your teeth moving. The second type of retainer is a removable retainer. These are worn to assist with the stability of your teeth after your braces have been removed and also help prevent teeth moving out of alignment.

An adjustment is usually a 15-minute appointment where you will have your braces adjusted. The purpose of the adjustment is to ensure the braces are continuing to gradually move the teeth as desired. It takes approximately 2 months for a wire to express.

An Orthodontic Auxiliary is a complementary staff member who is able to assist the Orthodontist with some of the manual tasks involved in treatment. An Orthodontic Auxiliary works under the direct instruction of a Specialist Orthodontist, but has no input in the diagnosis or treatment planning of an orthodontic case. Orthodontic auxiliaries are registered health professionals with a scope of practice defined by the Dental Council of New Zealand.

We are happy to see patients from any age. For children aged under 10 years old, a referral from your dentist or community dental clinic is required. If your child does not require any early or comprehensive treatment, we are happy to review your child and guide you as to the best time to start treatment. These appointments are to ensure the teeth are erupting as they should and to address any orthodontic issues as soon as they arise to circumvent future issues.

A dentist has limited to no training in orthodontics, while an Orthodontist has extensive specialist training. Orthodontists have not only completed a dentistry degree but an additional 3 years of specialist orthodontic training, research, and didactic study. They additionally have more than 5,000 hours of clinical training. Orthodontists have a better understanding of the biomechanics involved in orthodontic treatment and can approach cases with more expertise. All Orthodontists are dentists, but only a handful of dentists will ever become Orthodontists. Dentists who do offer orthodontic treatment often charge the same amount, and some patients end up requiring re-treatment at full cost with a Specialist Orthodontist.

The price for children under the age of 17 is fixed at $290. For adults, the pricing will depend on the type of treatment you require and the complexity of your case, which will be decided after the first consultation. 

We offer payment plans that are available for all braces and clear aligner treatments. Learn more about our pricing by visiting our site or scheduling a consultation.

The first step is to book your first appointment. At this appointment, we’ll conduct a clinical examination, take diagnostic photos, take X-rays as required, and formulate your orthodontic treatment plan.

If you decide to have orthodontic treatment, we will then arrange for braces to be placed. This appointment will take approximately 1 hour. Having these placed is completely painless, and you’ll be given instructions on how to care for your braces.

After your braces are placed, you will have regular adjustment appointments approximately every 6-10 weeks. These appointments are usually only 10 to 15 minutes.

When you are ready to have your braces removed, we will place upper and lower bonded retainer wires on the back of your front teeth. These are not visible to onlookers. These wires help keep the teeth straight once the braces are removed. Having your braces removed takes approximately 60 minutes. At this appointment, we also take impressions or do a 3D digital impression to make removable retainers. You will be provided with removable retainers.

The top retainer is to be worn full time for the first six months and then at nights for at least another year. We will monitor you for 6 months after your braces are removed. After that time, you are welcome to visit us as needed. We recommend indefinite nightly wear of retainers to maintain an optimal smile over your lifetime.

Milk Orthodontics provides a comprehensive range of treatments, with the help of our skilled staff and cutting-edge equipment. You can learn more about the various types of treatments we offer and which one is better for you by visiting our site!

There are two pathways to becoming an Orthodontic Auxiliary. A qualified Oral Health Therapist can practice as an auxiliary as part of their training and scope of practice. The second pathway is as a certified dental assistant. Certified dental assistants can go on to do 2 years of additional training through NZAO to obtain registration to practice as an Orthodontic Auxiliary

Milk Orthodontics distinguishes itself through a harmonious blend of award-winning design, cutting-edge orthodontic technology, and a team of dedicated professionals committed to providing exceptional care.

If a bracket comes off, it is best to contact us and arrange to have the bracket repaired. Leaving a broken bracket can cause unwanted tooth movement and lead to an extended treatment time.

Retainers are an important part of your orthodontic treatment. They are essential in maintaining the bite and alignment of your newly positioned smile.

Typically there are two different types of X-rays taken in orthodontics. These are known as a cephalometric X-ray and a panoramic X-ray. At times we may order other X-rays. X-rays are used to assess angulation of teeth, determine how much supporting bone you have, assess root length, health of your teeth, and to check for any other dental anomalies such as missing or supernumerary teeth. With modern technology the amount of radiation a person receives from orthodontic X-rays is minimal.

We believe every tooth is precious and do not take the decision to extract teeth lightly. A full set of records are taken to determine if extractions are required. X-rays will allow us to see if you have enough bone to support the straightening of your teeth, if not, then expansion and/or extractions become part of the treatment plan. Without enough bone, there is a risk of pushing teeth out of bone. If you do need extractions, we will discuss the need for them in detail.