Orthodontics

A woman with a coffee cup, smiling, showcasing orthodontics

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a type of dentistry that pacts with the severe misalignment and improper positioning of teeth. A person may have an underbite, overbite, overcrowding of teeth, crooked teeth or a jaw misalignment, which could drive eating or speech issues. In these cases, orthodontists advise orthodontic treatments to slowly change the positioning of the teeth for more refinement and alignment. 

Orthodontics can also be operated for cosmetic ideals if the person desires a better smile. A person might be born with malocclusion or a poor bite or obtain it over time via injury or daily habits, such as sucking their thumb as a youngster.  

Regardless of the circumstances, it’s critical to address them right away. Over time, problems with oral health might arise from malocclusion, or a “bad bite”.

What are the benefits of Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is advantageous because misaligned teeth or poor posture can increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral health issues. A weak bite can lead to poor oral hygiene in those areas, which can affect your oral health. It can also make it more difficult to floss or teach teeth.

Orthodontics is an effectual treatment approach that can: 

  • Ensure that your jaw and teeth are properly aligned 
  • Close gaps between teeth 
  • Straighten crooked teeth 
  • Mend improper bites 
  • Enhance oral function (such as speaking or eating) 
A woman with short hair and a grey t-shirt, happy after receiving orthodontic treatment

What Does an Orthodontist Do?

Orthodontists use fixed and removable dental devices to change teeth’ position in the mouth, such as retainers, braces and bands. They cure dental irregularities, including:  

  • Bite issues, like underbite or overbite 
  • Crooked teeth 
  • Jaw misalignment  
  • Too separated crowded teeth

Orthodontic treatment aims to enhance a patient’s chewing and biting. Straight or spaced teeth will align with the impact of opposing teeth in the jaw. A healthy bite provides you can eat, chew, and speak correctly. 

In the past, children or teenagers in need of braces were thought to visit an orthodontist. Orthodontists, however, can treat tooth problems in people of any age.

Reasons to Visit an Orthodontist

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:

Dental Appliances or Braces

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.

Surgery

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: 

  • Make biting, chewing, and speaking easier 
  • Improve facial symmetry and overall appearance 
  • Ease the pain from temporomandibular joint disorders 
  • Distinct teeth and make them easier to clean, assisting in preventing cavities or tooth decay.  
A woman with a smile on her face, showcasing teeth straightening

What to Expect from the Orthodontist

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:

  • An oral exam 
  • Photos of your face and smile 
  • Dental X-rays 
  • Panoramic (360-degree) X-rays of the face and head 
  • Impressions to produce moulds of your teeth 

These exams will notify your orthodontist on how to proceed with your therapy and what orthodontic interventions are most suitable for you. 

Orthodontic Treatment AfterCare

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.

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. 

 

A boy with braces smiling for the camera, showcasing the positive impact of orthodontics on his smile

Why Orthodontics treatment at ORIS Dental Clinics?

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! 

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