Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats misaligned jaws and teeth in patients of any age. Overbites, gaps, and underbites will only get worse if left untreated.
Orthodontists from smilebar.com, in addition to treating existing issues, are trained to recognize future problems. This ensures patients have a healthy, beautiful smile for a lifetime.
Braces
Fixed braces can be used to straighten teeth and correct misaligned jaws. There are several types of braces, and your orthodontist will recommend the one that best fits your needs. Braces work through constant pressure that encourages your teeth to move in the direction you want. This pressure is applied by thin metal wires that run between brackets. These wires are tightened at regular intervals to apply the appropriate amount of pressure.
Your orthodontist will start by cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste or special mouthwash and then drying them. This will help ensure that the glue to attach the brackets does not irritate your tongue or gums. Once your teeth are clean and dry, your orthodontist will apply a small amount of glue to the front surface of each tooth. They will then place a bracket onto each tooth. The brackets can be made from stainless steel, ceramic or plastic, and they can be colored to blend in with the natural colour of your teeth. They are connected by a wire called the archwire, which is tightened regularly to apply pressure and shift your teeth. The wire is held in position by metal bands or coloured elastic ligatures.
If you have an overbite, your orthodontist may add a metal wire to your archwire to apply more pressure on the back teeth to help open up space for the upper jaw. Orthodontists may use a metal ring known as a facebow in order to anchor the wire on a band around a molar. This will help to ensure that the wire remains in place while your jaw grows.
Crowded teeth are one of the most common reasons that people seek orthodontic treatment. This problem can affect the aesthetics of your teeth, but also make it harder for your toothbrush to reach between the overlapping teeth. Dental plaque is often hidden in these areas. Straightening crowded teeth reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease and other oral health problems.
Typically, it takes 18-36 month for your teeth to reach their final position following treatment with braces. Some patients will experience a faster move than others. The orthodontist can adjust your braces to help achieve your perfect smile.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an alternative to braces that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Orthodontists can prescribe Invisalign treatments and monitor them to ensure they are working for each individual patient. Orthodontists also have the expertise to address more complex issues than a general dentist can, such as an overbite or underbite, severe crowding, crooked teeth, overlapping teeth, and teeth that are rotated.
Invisalign begins with a consultation at an orthodontist. During this consultation, the orthodontist assesses your smile and discusses your goals and concerns to determine if Invisalign is for you. Orthodontists can recommend other treatments to maintain your new straight smile, such as a retaining device.
After determining that Invisalign would be a good choice for you the orthodontist performs a series digital scans using iTero® technology to create a 3-D image of your smile. These images will be used in order to create a customized Invisalign treatment for your specific needs.
After the initial scans, you will be fitted with a series clear plastic aligners which will slowly shift your desired position. You’ll wear each set of trays for about a week before switching to the next one in the series. You can remove aligners for special occasions, to eat or drink (except for water), to brush and floss your teeth, and when you are brushing and flossing. We will schedule regular follow-up appointments to ensure your treatment is progressing in the way planned.
Invisalign treatment sometimes requires small, clear buttons called “attachments” to be added to your teeth. These buttons are made of composite material that is the same color as your teeth and hardly noticeable. The trays fit into the attachments. They push against the attachments to help move the teeth. The Invisalign system corrects almost all dental issues except for severely curled teeth that cannot move with the trays only.
Accelerated Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is designed to improve oral health. However, it can take quite a while to achieve the desired result. Accelerated orthodontics may be of interest to patients who want a straighter, more beautiful smile in less time. This treatment option uses a variety of methods to speed up the teeth straightening process.
Some accelerated braces techniques include micro-osteoperforation, Propel Alveocentesis (alveocentesis), and osteo-vibration. These techniques accelerate a biological response that causes the bone and gum tissue in the mouth to move. This allows orthodontists reduce treatment time by up to 50%.
The success rate of accelerated orthodontics depends on how well patients follow instructions at home. They must also wear their aligners exactly as prescribed and attend follow-up appointments. Failure to do so can result in treatment delays, which can significantly impact the overall length of a patient’s orthodontic treatment.
While accelerated braces offer significant benefits, they are not suitable for everyone. Certain patients are more likely to experience complications or discomfort during the adjustment phase. Orthodontists should be informed of these factors before a patient decides on accelerated treatment.
In addition to reducing treatment time, accelerated orthodontics also provides long-term oral health benefits. Straighter teeth have been shown to lead to healthier gums, and a reduced risk of dental decay. The increased stability of the bone allows orthodontists perform more complex procedures such as removing wisdom teeth that are impacted.
Orthodontists are able to offer customized accelerated solutions for orthodontic treatment based on the individual case. This personalized approach combines preventive and restorative dental care with orthodontics to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care throughout treatment.
Teenagers and younger patients may benefit from accelerated orthodontics. This treatment can help them achieve a healthy and straight smile in time for important events such as prom or the first job.
Many accelerated orthodontics options are still experimental and require more research to determine their effectiveness and safety. Nevertheless, they show promise in helping to shorten the length of orthodontic treatment and improve patient satisfaction. As the field of accelerated orthodontics continues to develop, orthodontists will need to continue to work closely with other dental professionals to provide the best possible treatment outcomes for their patients.
Retainers
Retainers can help minimize the natural tendency for teeth to shift to their original positions over time. Everyone who receives orthodontic treatment should use a retainer after treatment to ensure their smile stays straight. Retainers, which are usually made of clear acrylic, wires, or plastic, fit snugly on or behind the teeth. Orthodontists will prescribe removable or fixed retainers based on a patient’s specific situation.
If a person decides to wear either a removable or fixed retainer, they must follow the instructions given by their orthodontist. Many people will need to wear a retainer constantly at first. Then, they can gradually reduce how long they wear it. A person should not chew gum with a removable retainer, and they must brush it often to avoid food getting stuck in the retainer.
Some people who have trouble remembering their retainer can make it more interesting by adding pictures of their friends or family. Some orthodontists also offer a removable retainer with a labial wire and clasps, and a palatal acrylic base. This type can be customized by adding colored or etched acrylic to make it more attractive.
A custom retainer with an image of a favorite TV or book character could be a good way to encourage children to wear it. In addition, for kids who grind their teeth at night (a condition known as bruxism), an orthodontist might prescribe a retainer to prevent them from grinding their teeth in their sleep.
There are several types of permanent retainers that can be discussed with an orthodontist. Some people get permanent retainers instead of removable retainers because they are more convenient and durable. It is important to remember that the orthodontist needs to take an impression of both upper and lower tooth again to create a brand new permanent retainer. In addition, a permanent retainer can be more difficult to clean because it is not removable, so it’s important for patients to wear their retainer as instructed by their orthodontist.
