Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that specializes with the diagnosis, supervision, guidance and correction of malocclusions.

Straight teeth help a person to bite efficiently, chew and speak. Straight teeth help contribute to healthy teeth and gums.

Not everyone’s teeth are perfectly straight. Many people have crooked or overcrowded teeth. If your Dentist thinks your teeth need straightening, he/she may suggest orthodontic treatment. During treatment, fixed braces or a removable appliance may be worn to gradually shift teeth to their correct position in the oral cavity.

The Dentist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. Treatment started early may prevent more serious problems before they develop. This may make treatment shorter and less complex. Deciding to have orthodontic treatment is an important decision towards improving the look of your smile and health of your teeth. Crooked or crowded teeth may cause uneven wear of tooth surfaces or jaw problems that may cause complications at a later time.

They can also be difficult to clean properly, which makes them prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Good oral care at home involves effectively removing plaque from your teeth, gums and braces every day. This will keep your treatment time on track, but it will also contribute to the continued health of your teeth and gums.
Often, crowding and deep overbite may be related to cronial bone distortions. Orthopedic treatment utilizing ALF appliances and cranio-sacral therapy will be suggested.

For clients who have the need for early orthodontic intervention, your Dentist utilizes the skill given to him/her to:

• Guide jaw growth
• Lessen the risk of trauma to front teeth that stick out (protrusion)
• Correct damaging oral habits
• Improve appearance and confidence
• Direct permanent teeth into a more functional position
• Improve the way lips meet

Some signs or behavior that may point toward the need for an orthodontic examination:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Difficulty in chewing or biting
• Mouth breathing
• Thumb sucking
• Finger sucking
• Crowded, misplaced or blocked out teeth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds
• Biting the cheeks or roof of the mouth
• Teeth that meet abnormally or not at all
• Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

Going through orthodontic treatment is more common during childhood and adolescence; however, there are increasing numbers of adults now deciding to have this type of treatment.

Orthodontic treatment time varies with every individual, usually takes approximately 18 to 30 months. Adult treatment may be longer because facial bones have stopped growing.

Your Orthodontist and Dentist will work together to decide which method will achieve the best results for you. The Orthodontist will then present you with a plan describing the type of treatment, estimated duration and cost.
Usually after fixed orthodontics, a retainer will be required for a certain amount of time. This retainer will help the teeth to stay in place and help prevent them from moving back to their original position. It is removable for easy cleaning.
Sometimes teeth can be stubborn and will want to go back to where they were no matter how long you wear a removable retainer. In cases like this, a fixed retainer made out of stainless steel wire, can be placed on the inside of your teeth. It is not removable, but with good oral self care, will keep your teeth straight AND healthy.

The solution to healthy teeth and gums is correct plaque removal. Braces can keep plaque in your mouth, which in turn can lead to an increased risk of cavities and gum disease. Plaque is the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that is constantly forming on your teeth and, left to its own devices, is one of the main causes of tooth decay and gum disease.

Orthodontic toothbrushes have bristles that are trimmed in a ‘V’ shape for cleaning above and below the brackets and wires. Electric toothbrushes remove more plaque than manual toothbrushes. Some newer ones have brush heads designed specifically for orthodontics.

A toothbrushing method that is recommended is to place your brush at a 45° angle to the gumline. Use gentle pressure as you brush with a short back-and-forth motion, cleaning each tooth separately for about 10 seconds. Use the same brushing motion on all inner and outer tooth surfaces. The chewing surfaces of your teeth require brushing as well. Complete cleaning around your braces, brushing first from the top and then from the bottom. Brush lightly making sure not to break or bend any of the brackets or wires.

Removing plaque from your teeth and along the gumline may seem difficult with braces. The following additional tips can help keep your mouth healthy during treatment:

• Remove any elastic bands and removable parts (like headgear) before cleaning.
• Irrigation devices use a pressurized stream of water (or mouth rinse) to clean around braces and along the gumline. Use a lower setting for sensitive areas. An Orthodontist may suggest using a combination of aids to help with daily cleansing.
• Interdental brushes have undersized heads with fine bristles, great for cleaning under wires and between teeth.
• Brush your teeth and braces at least three times a day (and especially after eating).
• Clean between teeth at least once a day with floss—especially before you go to bed (Superfloss is a great tool).
• Use fluoridated toothpaste with a soft bristled brush (Fluoride helps prevent cavities).
• Use fluoridated mouth rinse at least once daily to help reduce the risk of cavities.
• Carry an extra toothbrush and floss with you to ensure maintenance of good oral hygiene practices when you are away from home.
• Continue to visit your Dentist and Hygienist for regular checkups.

Flossing removes the plaque between your teeth and under your gumline. Using a floss threader or floss with a stiffened end that threads under the wire and through the gap between each tooth will help to keep the areas in between your teeth and gums healthy. Curve the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape and gently move it up and down the side of each tooth, including under the gumline. Use a new section of floss as you advance from one tooth to the other.

Once you take the appliance out of your mouth, brush and floss your teeth. Then, using your toothbrush and toothpaste, clean your appliance, rinsing it well with water. Also, make sure that you gently brush the gum areas that are covered by your appliance. This includes the roof of your mouth if you wear the appliance on your top teeth.

• Wear your retainer all the time until the Orthodontist informs you of a treatment change.
• Take your retainer out when you eat…and always put it in its case!
• When the retainer is not in your mouth it should ALWAYS be in a retainer case.
• At first, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it.
• Retainers are very fragile. If it is not in your mouth, it should be in its case. PERIOD.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or it needs adjusting, call us. Do not adjust it yourself.
• Always bring your retainer with you to your appointments.
• Replacement of a retainer is costly but with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainer when swimming.
• Keep retainer away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, napkins, and pets. Remember, a retainer only belongs in one of two places and nowhere else!

Yes! Your Dentist and Orthodontist will work together with you to help you do the best job possible in caring for your teeth and gums. Wearing braces involves discipline and patience. Your regular dentist will monitor the health of the teeth and gums during your treatment time.  Proper oral care at home is important because it will help keep your treatment time on course and might even help reduce it. Furthermore, it will contribute to the long-term health of your teeth and gums.

Overall Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting for three to five days. Rinsing your mouth with a warm salt-water rinse can help in relieving this. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. Wax provided by your Orthodontist can help with this and he/she will show you how to use it properly.

Loose Teeth

This is likely throughout treatment. Teeth must become loose so they can be moved. The teeth will again become set in their new, and corrected, positions.

Maintenance of a Healthy Diet

Eating a well balanced diet is important whether you have braces or not, but avoid sticky or chewy foods that can damage your braces and increase your risk for cavities. Cutting up apples and grating carrots is something you will have to do in order to still include these items in your diet.  For the length of your treatment, you should try to avoid chewy foods such as bagels, hard rolls, and licorice, crunchy foods such as popcorn, ice, and chips, sticky foods such as caramels and sugared gum, hard foods like nuts and candy, foods you have to bite into such as corn on the cob, apples, and carrots, and chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails).