ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS IN SIMCOE, ONTARIO
Our clinics are proud to offer a wide variety of orthodontic treatments for every age to help improve mouth function and appearance. We offer years of specialized training, experience and the latest technology to help you achieve the best possible smile.
What to Expect
Before starting orthodontic treatment, a workup will be done to help plan. This includes a thorough exam, different x-rays of individual teeth, your entire mouth and your skull, models of teeth and gums, and photos, which will be measured and studied to ensure you will be happy with the end results. Afterward, the dentist will meet with you to go over the treatment type, length, and fees before beginning treatment. This may include braces, early functional appliances, Invisalign, surgery or other procedures. All stages of treatment will be discussed thoroughly so that the patient understands what will be happening and how to properly care for their teeth during treatment, which can last anywhere from a few months to years.
Results
Your teeth will not only be straighter but will also function better. They will have a proper bite and allow you to chew properly, have enough room for more teeth to come in, and improve overall health. It is important to wear retainers after treatment to keep your new smile and maintain proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
COSMETIC ORTHODONTICS (FAST TEETH)
Are you unhappy with your smile? Wishing you could straighten your teeth or close a gap? Through cosmetic orthodontics, our staff addresses your specific personal goals to help you achieve the perfect smile and restore your confidence. There are many treatments available to efficiently and quickly straighten your teeth, including SPEED braces, clear braces, and Invisalign®, and get you back to smiling.
What to Expect
Usually cosmetic orthodontics can be done fairly quickly and easily. Front teeth can be straightened within 3 months! Depending on the type of orthodontics chosen, you may experience some pain or soreness because of the pressure being exerted on your teeth to move them. Taking pain medication before adjustment appointments and eating soft foods or liquids for a day or two after adjustments can counteract this.
Results
Working together with our dental team will help create your dream smile. You will be able to smile more confidently and look better! You may wish to follow up cosmetic orthodontics with other cosmetic procedures such as whitening, crowns, or bonding to complete your smile. It is important to wear your retainer as directed and continue caring for your teeth and attending regular dental cleanings to ensure your teeth stay straight.
ADULT ORTHODONTICS
Many of our orthodontic patients are adults seeking to improve the lookor function of their smiles. There are many effective options to help you create a beautiful smile without the traditional look of metal braces, including clear braces, Invisalign® aligner trays, and SPEED braces. Correcting crooked teeth, overcrowding and gaps can not only help your mouth function better, but also instill the confidence you need to succeed. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and orthodontic treatment can benefit seniors as well.
What to Expect
Depending on your personal goals and needs, treatment can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Front teeth can be straightened quickly, usually within 3 months, to obtain a pleasing, confident smile. Depending on the type of orthodontics chosen, you may experience some pain or soreness because of the pressure being exerted on your teeth to move them. Taking pain medication before adjustment appointments and eating soft foods or liquids for a day or two after adjustments can counteract this.
Results
After completing treatment, your teeth will not only look better, but function better as well! It is important to wear your retainer as directed and continue caring for your teeth and attending regular dental cleanings to keep your new smile.
CHILDREN ORTHODONTICS
Early orthodontic treatment takes advantage of the time when young children’s bones and muscles are growing rapidly. This allows the dentist to influence growth and perfect the bite, accomplishing things that cannot be done as easily as the child ages, and prevent future bite problems. Early orthodontics can correct or prevent an unbalanced profile, overbite, under-bite, cross-bite, deep bite, open bite, overlapping or crowded teeth, difficulty chewing, open mouth breathing, speech problems, tongue thrusting, thumb sucking and jaw joint problems.
What to Expect
Early orthodontics can be achieved through the use of many different appliances including a palatal expander, habit corrector, functional appliance, braces, headgear or a retainer. This can be followed up with braces or another form of orthodontics to complete the treatment. The appliance is made by taking impressions of the teeth that are sent to a lab where the appliance is created. It will then be tried in the mouth and adjusted if needed. Appliances are typically removable and can be cleaned with toothpaste. Your child will return to our office every few weeks to have the appliance adjusted and ensure it is working properly. You may be required to expand the appliance at home with a key. The teeth may be sore after adjustments because of the pressure being exerted to move teeth or expand the mouth. Taking pain medication or eating soft foods and liquids can counteract this.
Results
Treatment typically ends when all of the adult teeth have erupted. If required, your child will move onto phase two orthodontics, which may include braces. It is important to follow the dentist’s directions, and wear a retainer if necessary, to keep the results.
INVISALIGN ®
Invisalign® is a popular treatment for teens and adults to help move teeth without traditional wires or brackets. Treatment consists of a series of 18 to 30 clear, custom-made, removable tray aligners for the upper and lower teeth that are replaced approximately every two weeks.
Benefits of Invisalign®include the ability to brush and floss normally with no wires or brackets in the way, aligners are removable allowing you to eat what you like, and you don’t have the look of traditional braces but still achieve the same outcome. Invisalign® cannot be used for more severe orthodontic cases, and typically costs more than traditional braces.
What to Expect
Your initial appointment will involve taking impressions of your teeth and photos that will be sent to Invisalign® where your trays will be created, as well as a virtual program used by the dentist to see how your mouth will change over the course of treatment. The trays, or aligners, are changed about every two weeks. The trays are to be worn for 20 to 24 hours each day and removed when you eat. It is important to keep your teeth and the trays clean by brushing them with toothpaste and soaking them in a cleaning solution to keep them free of plaque, which can cause bad breath and decay. Treatment length depends on the severity of your case but typically lasts 1 year for adults. You may feel slight tenderness or pain when inserting new trays because of the pressure exerted on the teeth to make them move. Taking pain medication or eating soft foods and liquids can counteract this. The trays themselves are not noticeable and will allow you to feel confident when smiling with them.
Results
After completing treatment, your teeth will not only look better but function better as well! It is important to wear your retainer as directed and continue caring for your teeth and attending regular dental cleanings to keep your new smile.
SPEED BRACES
SPEED Braces are miniaturized versions of traditional metal braces. The brackets (metal squares attached to the teeth that hold the wire) are 3 times smaller than regular braces, which minimizes lip and cheek irritation and eliminates the “railroad track” look. SPEED braces apply a continuous, gentle force to help move teeth faster, reducing pain and discomfort during treatment. These braces do not discolor or require colored elastics found on standard braces. With patient cooperation, treatment time is significantly less when using SPEED braces compared to traditional braces.
What to Expect
Applying your new braces can take one to two hours. Cheek retractors will be used to help keep your teeth dry during the procedure. Metal brackets are placed on each tooth using a strong dental adhesive and hardened with UV light. After all brackets are placed, the cheek retractors will be removed and the wires placed and locked onto the brackets. After your braces are put on, you may experience some soreness or pain in your teeth, cheeks and lips for several days because of the pressure on your teeth and adjusting to the new brackets and wires in your mouth. Taking pain medication before adjustment appointments and eating soft foods or liquids for a day or two after adjustments can counteract this. You will return to the office for a quick appointment every few weeks to adjust the wire and make sure your teeth are moving into their correct positions. It is important to keep your braces clean by brushing and flossing to prevent decay and yellowing. SPEED braces are easier to clean than traditional braces because of their small size and rounded edges that are less likely to trap food.
Results
Your teeth will not only be straighter, but will also function better. They will have a proper bite and allow you to chew properly, have enough room for more teeth to come in, and improve overall health. It is important to wear retainers after treatment to keep your new smile, and maintain proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.
CLEAR BRACES
Today’s orthodontics offer a variety of different braces to help you feel comfortable wearing them and to move teeth quickly. Options for those who want their braces to be less noticeable are clear braces. These braces use clear brackets instead of traditional metal ones, and are less conspicuous while still providing the same benefits. They can be a bit more expensive than traditional braces, but are worth it if you are looking for a less noticeable alternative.
What to Expect
Applying your new braces can take one to two hours. Cheek retractors will be used to help keep your teeth dry during the procedure. Brackets are placed on each tooth using a strong dental adhesive and hardened with UV light. After all brackets are placed, the cheek retractors will be removed and the wires placed and locked onto the brackets. After your braces are put on, you may experience some soreness or pain in your teeth, cheeks and lips for several days because of the pressure on your teeth and adjusting to the new brackets and wires in your mouth. Taking pain medication before adjustment appointments and eating soft foods or liquids for a day or two after adjustments can counteract this. You will return to the office for a quick appointment every few weeks to adjust the wire and make sure your teeth are moving into their correct positions. It is important to keep your braces clean by brushing and flossing to prevent decay and yellowing. Clear braces are more prone to discolouring/yellowing than regular metal braces, so it is especially important to keep them clean.
Results
Your teeth will not only be straighter, but will also function better. They will have a proper bite and allow you to chew properly, have enough room for more teeth to come in, and improve overall health. It is important to wear retainers after treatment to keep your new smile, and maintain proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits.