Yes, We Do Metal Braces at Vital Dental Care Camp Hill — Here’s What Parents Need to Know

/ General Dental / By

Yes, We Do Metal Braces at Vital Dental Care Camp Hill — Here’s What Parents Need to Know

We get asked regularly whether we do metal braces at Vital Dental Care — and the answer is
yes, we do. Dr Philip Chou, our principal dentist and founder, offers metal braces as part of our
orthodontic services here at Camp Hill Marketplace.

 

If you’re a parent who’s been wondering whether your child needs braces, or you’re trying to
decide between metal braces and Invisalign, this post is for you. We’ll walk through the most
common questions parents ask, and give you an honest picture of what braces actually involve
for your child.

Why We're Writing This

Plenty of parents in Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Carina, Greenslopes and Holland Park don’t realise that Vital Dental Care offers braces — partly because we’re known for Invisalign and general family dentistry, and partly because we don’t shout about it enough. So consider this us shouting about it.
Dr Philip Chou has been working in dentistry for over 19 years and has a particular interest in orthodontics and smile aesthetics. If your child is at the age where braces might be worth looking into, a consultation with Dr Chou at our Camp Hill clinic is the best place to start.

When Should My Child Get Their Teeth Assessed for Braces?

The general recommendation is around age 7 — which surprises most parents, because their child still has plenty of baby teeth at that point. But that’s actually the idea. An early assessment isn’t about rushing into treatment; it’s about catching problems while there’s still time to do something about them simply

By 7, the first adult molars are usually through, which gives us enough information to see how the jaw is developing, whether there’s likely to be crowding, and whether the bite is tracking properly. If everything looks fine, we’ll just monitor things as the adult teeth come in. If something needs attention, acting earlier usually means a shorter, simpler treatment later on.

Most kids who end up getting braces start treatment somewhere between 9 and 14 years old, once enough adult teeth are present. At this age the jaw is still growing, which actually works in our favour — teeth move faster and more predictably in younger patients than in adults.

Signs that are worth getting checked:

  • Crowded, crooked or overlapping teeth
  • Gaps that don’t seem to be closing as adult teeth come in
  • Upper teeth that sit too far in front of (or behind) the lower teeth
  • The jaw shifting to one side when your child bites together
  • Teeth that stick out at the front
  • Difficulty chewing or biting certain foods
  • Jaw clicking or discomfort
  • Your child mouth-breathes regularly or snores

      You don’t need to be certain something’s wrong — that’s what the assessment is for.

Metal Braces vs. Invisalign: Which Is Better for Children?

This is the question we field most. The honest answer is: it depends on the child and the case. But for a lot of children, especially younger ones, metal braces are the more practical and reliable option — and here’s why.

The compliance issue is real

Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 20–22 hours a day to work. Every hour they’re out of the
mouth is an hour the treatment isn’t progressing. For a motivated 16-year-old who genuinely
wants straight teeth, that can work well. For a 10-year-old who leaves things everywhere, takes aligners out at lunchtime and forgets to put them back in, or loses them in a school bag — it’s a problem.

Metal braces are fixed. They’re on the teeth doing their job regardless of whether your child
remembers, cooperates, or cares. That’s a significant practical advantage for younger patients
and for any child who’s not particularly organised yet.

Braces handle more complex cases

Clear aligners work well for mild to moderate crowding in older teens. For more involved cases
— significant crowding, bite issues, rotated teeth — metal braces give the treating dentist more
precise control over how each tooth moves. If your child’s case is complicated, braces are likely
to give a better result.

Treatment time

Children’s teeth tend to move faster than adults’ because the bone is still developing. Most kids
are done in 12 to 24 months, often closer to 15–18 months for straightforward cases. With
Invisalign, if wear time slips, treatment can drag on longer than expected.

So when might Invisalign be the better choice for a child or teen?

– Older teenagers (15+) who are genuinely self-motivated
– Kids in serious contact sports where metal brackets pose a real risk of cutting the inside
  of the mouth during impact
– Cases where the correction needed is minor and well within what aligners can handle

At your consultation, Dr Chou will give you an honest recommendation based on what your child actually needs — not what’s easiest to sell.

What Does Getting Metal Braces Actually Involve?

The assessment

We use 3D digital scanning rather than old-school dental moulds, so there’s no gagging on impression trays. The scans give us a precise picture of your child’s teeth and bite, and we use these to plan the treatment before anything gets put in their mouth.

Getting the braces fitted

Fitting usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half. The brackets are bonded directly to
the teeth, the wire is threaded through, and your child gets to choose the colour of the elastic
bands that hold everything together. This is a bigger deal than it sounds — kids often genuinely
enjoy picking a new colour at each appointment.

 

No needles, no drilling. The fitting process is painless.

The first few days

Your child will feel pressure and some tenderness for the first 3–5 days. This is normal — it’s the
teeth starting to respond to the wire. It’s not sharp pain, more like the feeling of having worn tight
shoes all day, but in your mouth. Children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen handles it well.

Soft foods for the first week are a good idea — pasta, mashed potato, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, soup. The brackets can also rub against the inside of the lips initially; we provide orthodontic wax that sticks over the bracket and gives immediate relief.
After that first week, most kids barely notice they have braces.

Ongoing appointments

Adjustment appointments happen every 6–8 weeks and take 20–45 minutes. We check progress, adjust the wire, and replace the elastic bands. New colour choices every visit.

Foods to avoid

Hard and sticky foods can damage the brackets or bend the wires — the main ones to avoid are
hard lollies, toffee, chewing gum, popcorn, crusty rolls, and biting directly into apples or corn on
the cob. Cutting food up and being sensible goes a long way.

After the braces come off

Once treatment is finished, your child will need a retainer. Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back, and the retainer is what stops that from happening. It’s either a thin removable plate worn overnight, or a small fixed wire bonded to the back of the front teeth (invisible from the outside). Wearing the retainer consistently is important — it protects the whole investment.

How Much Do Metal Braces Cost?

In Australia, metal braces typically range from $6,000 to $9,000 depending on the complexity of
the case. The cost is the same for children and adults — the brackets, wires, and appointments
all take the same amount of work regardless of age.

Health fund rebates: Many private health insurance policies with orthodontic extras will
contribute toward the cost of braces. The amount varies significantly between funds and
policies, so it’s worth checking your cover before your consultation. Feel free to ask us when
you come in — we’re happy to help you understand what your fund is likely to cover and provide
you with a quote to take to your insurer.

Payment plans — DentiCare: We offer DentiCare, an interest-free payment plan that lets you
spread the cost of treatment over time. DentiCare works via direct debit (weekly, fortnightly or
monthly), requires a 20% deposit upfront, and approval usually comes through within 48–72
hours. It’s a straightforward way to start treatment now without having to pay the full amount
upfront. Ask us about this at your consultation.

A Note on Dr Philip Chou

Dr Chou founded Vital Dental Care in 2016 after more than a decade working in dentistry. He
grew up nervous of dentists himself, which shapes the way he runs the practice — the focus is
on making patients (especially kids) feel informed and at ease, not rushed through.

He has a particular interest in orthodontics and smile aesthetics, and approaches braces cases
with the same attention to detail he brings to all treatment planning at Vital Dental Care. If you’d
like to know more about his background, you’ll find his full profile on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. It depends on how much space is available in the jaw. Dr Chou will let you know during the assessment whether extraction is likely to be necessary
Yes, but a mouthguard is essential for any contact sport. A custom orthodontic mouthguard fits over the braces and provides good protection. We can advise on the right type.

Wind and brass players may need a few weeks to adjust, but most manage fine after that.

Call us and we’ll get it sorted. Avoid hard and sticky foods in the meantime.

Yes. Metal braces are a sensible option for adults with complex cases where precise tooth
control matters.

We're in Camp Hill — Easy to Get To From Most of Brisbane's South-East

Vital Dental Care is located inside Camp Hill Marketplace, with free parking onsite and buses
202 and 203 from the CBD. We’re open six days a week with early and late appointments
available.

We see patients from across the area, including Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Carina, Carina
Heights, Greenslopes, Holland Park, Norman Park, Seven Hills, Stones Corner, Carindale
and Annerley.

Ready to Book?

If your child is at the age where braces might be worth looking into, or you’ve been putting it off
and want to know where things stand, the best next step is a consultation with Dr Philip Chou.
We’ll take a proper look, give you an honest assessment, and talk through your options without
pressure

Vital Dental Care | Camp Hill Marketplace, Camp Hill QLD 4152 | vitaldentalcare.com.au