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Orthodontics is beneficial because misaligned teeth or a poor bite can increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems. An uneven bite can make some areas harder to clean, which affects overall oral hygiene. It can also make flossing or cleaning between teeth more difficult.
Orthodontics is an effective treatment approach that can:
Ensure your jaws and teeth are properly aligned
Close gaps between teeth
Straighten crooked teeth
Correct improper bites
Improve oral function (speaking and eating)
Orthodontists use fixed and removable appliances—such as braces, bands, and retainers—to change the position of teeth. They treat dental irregularities, including:
Bite issues (underbite, overbite)
Crooked teeth
Jaw misalignment
Teeth that are too crowded or too widely spaced
The goal of orthodontic treatment is to improve chewing and biting. Properly aligned teeth fit together correctly with the opposing teeth, helping you eat, chew, and speak well.
Although braces were once associated mainly with children and teenagers, orthodontists can treat tooth and bite problems at any age.
Most patients who visit an orthodontist do so because of improperly positioned teeth. The underlying cause of this genetic problem is differences in size between the lower and upper jaws or between the jaw and the teeth. Malocclusion can cause teeth too close together, a twisted jaw, or an uneven bite pattern. Orthodontists typically treat malocclusion by:
Square bonds made of ceramic, metal, or plastic are attached to the teeth. A bunch of wires or bands put pressure on the teeth and move them into the right place. Most people with minor misaligned teeth use aligners, which are clear braces, instead of standard braces. Some people may need a headgear to help straighten their teeth when forces from the outside of the mouth aren’t enough.
A harsh underbite or overbite of a patient might require corrective surgery to shorten or lengthen the jaw. Dental specialists use surgical screws, plates, and wires to support the jaw bone. Jaw surgical operation is only utilized if you are done growing and if less intrusive orthodontic remedies have been ineffective.
Correcting a dental malocclusion can:
Most of the time, the dentist finds misaligned teeth during a normal checkup. If your back teeth don’t fit together right, your dentist may suggest that you see an orthodontist. During your first appointment with an orthodontist, you’ll probably:
These exams will notify your orthodontist on how to proceed with your therapy and what orthodontic interventions are most suitable for you.
Orthodontics will always give you verbal and written aftercare instructions.
However, you could misplace the paper instructions or forget what we told you. Therefore, our goal is to help you remember how to take care of your braces and expedite the process of straightening your teeth.
Overall, a qualified, professional Orthodontics can help improve your appearance, self-esteem, smile and confidence. Also, Orthodontics needs advanced technical skills and a creative hand. When choosing a dentist, you must pick someone you can depend on. We recognize that you have many options, and we admire you for considering our team. So if you need an orthodontics consultation and are looking for orthodontics in Richmond Hill, Ontario, give us a call today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Wash your gums and braces, and brush your teeth and wires thoroughly before bed and after each meal. We think you should bring a travel toothbrush with you everywhere. If you don’t take care of your mouth, your gums can swell and bleed, and white spots can stay on your teeth. Inflammation and bleeding gums will slow down your treatment. The best way to clean your braces is with an interproximal brush, which you can get from dentists and pharmacies. Use a special toothbrush to clean between your teeth and along the gum line.
Avoid eating hard food such as boiled sweets, ice, popcorn and hard crusts. Those foods can damage the brackets. Cut up foods and vegetables, such as meats, apples, and carrots, before eating them.
Some drinks and foods will stain the elastics on your braces, so try to avoid any foods or drinks with strong colorings, for example, curries, tomato-based foods, tea and coffee; it’s suggested to avoid having these kinds of foods.
After taking the braces, your gums may be sore, usually for the first 2-4 days. You can use painkillers such as Ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the pain. If the soreness resumes even after dining with soft food, pleasecall us to book an emergency appointment for any necessary adjustments.
Some patients will develop popping/clicking or other problems in their jaw joints during or after orthodontic treatment. Usually, orthodontic therapy delivers a positive effect on the jaw joint. It would help if you understood that pre-existing joint conditions could manifest as popping or clicking after orthodontic treatment, but orthodontic treatment has not been shown to cause popping/clicking of the jaw joints.
Concerns with fixed braces are uncommon. However, if anything occurs, that makes the brace hurt and cannot be controlled using the suggested remedies, or you notice that it is broken, please call us and ask for an appointment. If a bracket or the wire starts to cause discomfort, apply the orthodontic wax as demonstrated.
