Orthodontics and Invisalign

Crooked and crowded teeth can have a lifelong effect on your health as well as affecting how your smile looks. “Malocclusion” or “bad bite” are the terms that are often used to refer to crooked and crowded teeth. Malocclusion can be inherited genetically such as crowded teeth, extra space between the teeth, missing teeth or having extra teeth or cleft palate. Malocclusion can also be acquired through bad habits such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or dental disease, premature loss of primary or permanent teeth, accidents or some medical problems. Even if the teeth look straight, the upper and lower jaws may not fit together properly, which also causes a bad bite.

Aside from affecting how your smile looks, malocclusion also affects your oral health. Crooked teeth can make it hard to clean your teeth properly which may cause tooth decay, various gum diseases or even tooth loss. A bad bite can also cause imbalanced pressure distribution among your teeth, abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, excess stress on your gums and bones and difficulty in chewing and speech.

Orthodontic treatment is used to treat a bad bite. People of any age can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics will improve your smile by properly aligning your teeth and jaws. They also improve your health by preventing the damages that a bad bite can cause to your wellbeing.

What is Orthodontic treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is the use of braces or other appliances to straighten your teeth, align your jaws and correct your bad bite. Depending on your situation, your dentist will recommend using one or a combination of orthodontic treatment methods to achieve the optimal results. The most common types of orthodontic treatments are braces and Invisalign. At ComfoDent clinics, our experienced dental teams are fully equipped with the state of the art knowledge and technology to provide the most effective orthodontic treatment to our patients at any age.

What are braces and how do they work?

Braces are the most common orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will glue the brackets to your teeth and use a wire which will apply the required amount of gentle force to align your teeth over time. Today, the braces are smaller and less noticeable. There is now an option to have tooth-colored brackets and clear aligners. If you would like more information, please speak to your dentist about it, and he/she will walk you through all of your options.

What is Invisalign and how does it work?

Invisalign is a type of orthodontic treatment. Over the course of the Invisalign treatment, patients will use a series of clear plastic aligners to align their teeth gradually. Your dentist will create your Invisalign treatment plan and will monitor your progress and adjust the plan accordingly.

Which orthodontic treatment is more appropriate?

Each of the orthodontic treatment types is specially designed to deliver certain results and address specific problems. Only your dentist can tell you which method is the most appropriate one to achieve the best results for you. At ComfoDent clinics, we work closely with our patients to make sure that they completely understand all of the available options so they can make a fully informed decision.

What is the age limit for doing the orthodontic treatment?

Absolutely none – almost anyone at any age can benefit from the health and cosmetic advantages of orthodontic treatments. Your dentist will be able to determine the prospects for your orthodontic treatment success, after considering the health of your gums and bones.

When is the best time for children to do orthodontic treatment consultation?

The Canadian Association of Orthodontists suggests that children as young as two years old may benefit from orthodontic treatment. Some orthodontic problems are easier to treat if diagnosed early, rather than waiting until the growth of the jaw bone slows down at older ages. The CAO recommends that children should have their first orthodontic consultation before and no later than age seven.

How should I care for my teeth during my orthodontic treatment?

Regular visits to your dentist and hygienist are essential during your orthodontic treatment. Your dental care team will make sure that your oral health is well-maintained during your orthodontic treatment and that your treatment will achieve the optimal result you are hoping to receive. Your dental team will also guide you on how to maintain your oral health at home during and after your orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns about how your teeth and smile looks or you would like to talk to us about the orthodontic health of yourself or your children, please do not hesitate to contact one of our clinics. We will book a free consultation appointment with one of our experienced dentists for you.