WHAT IS ORTHODONTICS?

How Orthodontic Treatment Works

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can choose brackets that are clear or metallic color. You can choose the color of the ties that hold the wire in brackets. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Duration of Treatment

Treatment time typically ranges from one to three years, depending on the growth of the patient’s mouth and face and the severity of the problem. Patients grow at different rates and will respond variously to orthodontic treatment, so the time to case completion may differ from the original estimate. The patient’s diligent use of any prescribed rubber bands or headgear is an important factor in achieving the most efficient treatment. Interceptive, or early treatment procedures, may take as few as six months.

WHY BRACES? WHY AN ORTHODONTIST?

For most people, having a “beautiful smile” is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics. However, having a “healthy smile” is just as important. Crooked and crowded teeth can be most unattractive, but crooked teeth can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss.  Having a large overbite takes away from facial beauty, but can also prevent a person from chewing properly and lead to early tooth wear and destruction of supporting gum and bone.

An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of teeth and jaw position irregularities. To become an orthodontist, a dentist must successfully complete an additional three-year, full-time, advanced education program in orthodontics approved by the Canadian and American Dental Associations.   These graduate programs are found in universities and generally accept only three or four people out of roughly 150 applications each year. In order to be licensed as an orthodontist by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, the specialist must demonstrate a knowledge, expertise, and proficiency in providing consistent, high-quality orthodontic care.

TYPES OF BRACES

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces and are more comfortable today than ever before. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. With metal braces, you have the option of adding colored elastics (rubber bands around each braces) for a more unique and colorful smile.  They can be changed at each visit.  Metal braces are often the smallest and most comfortable type of braces.

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Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces are made from the same materials as traditional braces. However, self-ligating braces do not require the use of elastics, meaning fewer appointments and less friction being placed on the tooth. Self-ligating braces come with traditional metal, ceramic, or clear brackets. They are the same size as metal braces, but use a specialized clip in place of elastics to help the archwire guide teeth into place. The clip helps reduce the amount of pressure being placed on the tooth, and requires fewer adjustments because there are no elastics to replace.

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF BRACES - self ligating

Clear (Ceramic) Braces

Ceramic braces are made of clear materials ( ceramic )and are therefore less visible on your teeth than metal braces. For this reason, ceramic braces are used mainly on older teenagers and adult patients who have cosmetic concerns. While they are visually less prominent, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as ceramic braces are larger and are more brittle than their metal counterparts. For these reasons, ceramic braces tend to be used more on upper front teeth than on lower teeth.

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Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are a series of invisible, removable, and comfortable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are the aligners invisible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want while in treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasions during treatment. [Learn about Invisalign].

invisalign

TYPES OF APPLIANCES

Elastics (Rubber Bands)

Wearing elastics (or rubber bands) improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. Wear rubber bands as instructed and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they’re worn as prescribed.

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF APPLIANCES - elastics

Headgear

Headgear is used to treat patients whose teeth are in an overbite, with the upper jaw forward of the lower jaw, or an “underbite” with the lower jaw forward of the upper jaw. Headgear gently “pulls” on your teeth to restrict further forward growth of your upper teeth and jaw.

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF APPLIANCES - headgear

Palatal Expander

The palatal expander “expands” (or widens) your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you about when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression. Learn more

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF APPLIANCES - palatal expander

Retainers

Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent regression of your treatment. Learn more

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF APPLIANCES - retainer

Separators or Spacers

Separators are little rubber doughnuts that may be placed between your teeth to push them apart so that orthodontic bands may be placed during your next appointment. The separators will be removed before we place the bands. Separators do not mix well with sticky foods, toothpicks, or floss.

ORTHODONTIC BASICS - TYPES OF APPLIANCES - spacers


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