Orthodontics/Braces In Scarborough, Toronto, ON
What a difference straight teeth can make! A great-looking smile can boost your self-confidence and have a positive impact on social and professional opportunities. Orthodontic treatment is the original smile makeover tool, and you're never too old to take advantage of it. But straight teeth goes beyond esthetics: properly aligned teeth help you to bit, chew and even speak more effectively. They are also easier to clean, which helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
Braces can correct a range of tooth alignment problems such as crooked, crowded or missing teeth. They're also used to correct bad bites (malocclusion), including overbites, underbites and crossbites. The amazing thing about orthodontics is that it harnesses the body's natural ability to remodel its own tissue. With the application of light, constant force, orthodontic appliances gently reshape bone and move teeth into better positions.
Early Orthodontics / Orthopedics (Phase I Treatment)
With early diagnosis and treatment, we can work with a young child's rapid growth and development to guide the growth of the jaw and the incoming permanent teeth into a more favorable position. Dental appliances such as palatal expanders help to develop the width of the upper and lower dental arches and increase space for the permanent teeth, which may avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions.
Orthopedics involves “moving bone”. A major objective this phase of growth modification is guiding or expanding the growth of the jaw to accommodate your child’s future incoming teeth. This can shorten overall treatment time and ensure the best result if additional orthodontic appliances (ie. braces) are needed in the future. During active treatment, we'll be seeing your child every 3 - 4 weeks to monitor their progress and make adjustments when needed.
Once the permanent teeth have fully erupted around age 12, the second phase of orthodontic treatment, which involves full braces to align the teeth can begin. However, in some circumstances, further orthodontic treatment may not be necessary.
Adolescent / Comprehensive Orthodontics (Phase II Treatment)
Most people have orthodontic treatment between 11 – 15 years old, once all their permanent teeth have erupted (around age 12) and any crooked teeth, gaps or bad bites are easily visible.
Comprehensive orthodontics involves “moving teeth”. This phase will incorporate treatment including full upper and lower braces. During Phase II, the teeth are gradually moved and aligned to its intended position in the mouth. Teeth are held in place by the periodontal ligament, a hammock-like structure which is very responsive to forces placed on the teeth. Orthodontic appliances move teeth by careful application of light, constant pressure. This force can be applied via metal wires that run through small brackets attached to the teeth (braces), or via the semi-rigid plastic of clear aligners.
We’ll be seeing your child every 3 - 4 weeks for an adjustment. When the orthodontic treatment is completed and the braces removed, your child will be given 2 set of retainers, which should be worn at night to ensure that teeth remain in position.
Adult Orthodontics
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Orthodontics is not just for children and teens. Adults comprise 1 in 5 of all orthodontic patients. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so you've never “missed the boat” for orthodontic treatment. Our orthodontic patients range in age from 6 to their 60's. It's never too late to gain the smile you have always wanted!
Before treatment, adults are carefully examined for signs of tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease, which will be brought under control before treatment begins.
Adult orthodontic treatment can:
- Straighten / align the teeth to create a more aesthetic and beautiful smile
- Correct relapse (shifting) after previous orthodontic treatment due to lack of long-term retainer wear
- Improve the ability to brush and floss, especially for crowded or overlapping lower front teeth
- Correct your bite, enabling you to bite and chew more comfortably
- Close spaces between teeth
- Reduce excessive wear on teeth due to grinding or poor bite
Types of Orthodontic Appliances
When you imagine someone wearing braces, you probably picture small metal brackets bonded to the front of the teeth, with a thin wire running through them. This time-tested style is the most popular, effective and economical - but it's no longer the only option. Clear braces use brackets made of transparent ceramic which, except for the slim arch wire, are hardly visible.
Cost
The fee for orthodontic treatment is determined based on the severity of the problem, the complexity of the treatment, the appliances used and the treatment time.
Oral Hygiene during Orthodontics
People with braces and other orthodontic appliances require more effort to keep their teeth and gums clean. Daily oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing and rinsing are a necessity. Some people with orthodontic appliances can benefit from using a water flosser, a water irrigation device which emits small pressurized bursts of water to flush away debris between and around the brackets. It is extremely important to have regular cleanings and check-ups during orthodontic treatment.
Retention & Post Orthodontic Care
Once your orthodontic treatment is completed, it's extremely important to wear a retainer as directed. That's because teeth naturally tend to drift back to their original locations which is the last thing you want after going through the time and expense to straighten them! Wearing a retainer holds your teeth in their new position long enough for new bone and ligament to form around them, and helps keep your beautiful new smile looking great for a lifetime.
Call our office to schedule a FREE orthodontic consultation. We'll walk you through the orthodontic process and highlight the best treatment options available for your situation.