One of the most commonly asked questions about dental braces is whether placing them causes any pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious. In most cases, there is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets, which may last for a few days (average 3 - 5 days).

What to expect when getting braces:

• Placement day – The placement of braces will not be painful in the slightest. Your mouth will be open for a period of time while the braces are placed. It will take time to adjust to the braces. In most cases, the teeth may feel more sensitive than usual and will feel different against your cheeks. Hard, difficult to chew foods should be avoided in favour of a softer diet for the first few days after placement of braces.
  
  
• Three days after placement – The first several days after placement of braces can be slightly uncomfortable. This is because the teeth are beginning the realignment process and are not used to the pressure of the archwire and orthodontic elastic bands. The orthodontist will provide relief wax to apply over the braces as necessary. Wax helps provide a smooth surface and alleviates irritation on the inner cheeks and lips. Additionally, over-the-counter pain medication (e.g. Tyelonol, Advil) may be taken as directed to relieve mild soreness.
  
  
• Five days after placement – After five days, any initial discomfort associated with the braces should be gone. The teeth will have gradually acclimated to the braces, and eating should be much easier. Certain hard foods need to be avoided to avoid breakages, and delays in treatment but we will advise you on this at your appointment. Normal eating, with some adaptions, may be resumed at this point.
  
  
• Orthodontic adjustment appointments – Regular orthodontic appointments are necessary to allow the orthodontist to change the archwire, change the rubber or metal ties, and make adjustments to the braces. Fixed braces work by gradually moving the teeth into a new and proper alignment, so gentle pressure needs to be applied constantly. The first several days after an orthodontic adjustment may be slightly uncomfortable, but remember that this discomfort will quickly fade.
  
  
• Dealing with discomfort – Over-the-counter pain medication and orthodontic relief wax will help alleviate any mild soreness and discomfort following placement of braces and orthodontic adjustments - check out our advice.

Orthodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry that is concerned with diagnosing, treating and preventing bad bites (malocclusions) and other irregularities in the jaw region and face. Orthodontists are specially trained to correct these problems and to restore health, functionality and a beautiful aesthetic appearance to the smile. Though orthodontics was originally aimed at treating children and teenagers, almost one third of orthodontic patients are now adults. A person of any age can be successfully treated by an orthodontist.

An improper bite can affect anyone at any age, and can significantly impact the individual’s clarity of speech, chewing ability and facial symmetry. In addition, a severe malocclusion can also contribute to several serious dental and physical conditions such as digestive difficulties, TMJ disorders, periodontal disease and severe tooth decay. It is important to seek orthodontic treatment early to avoid expensive restorative procedures in the future.

What problems can orthodontics treat?

Orthodontics can treat a wide range of dental problems and in most cases, completely realign the teeth.  Orthodontists may work alone, or in combination with a dentist or another dental specialist, such as an oral maxillofacial surgeon, periodontist, prosthodontist, endodontist, pediatric dentist and oral medicine specialist.

The typical irregularities requiring orthodontic treatment are as follows:

• Overcrowding – An overcrowded mouth means there is insufficient space within the jaw for all of the adult teeth to fit naturally.  Overcrowding may lead to displaced, rotated or completely misaligned teeth.
  
  
• Overbite – An overbite refers to the protrusion of the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw.  An overbite gives the smile a “toothy” appearance and the chin looks like it has receded.
  
  
• Underbite – An underbite, also known as a negative underjet, refers to the protrusion of the lower jaw in relation to the upper jaw.  An underbite makes the chin look overly prominent. 

Whatever the dental irregularity or the age of the individual, orthodontic appliances can properly realign the teeth and create a beautiful smile.

If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontic treatments or how they can benefit you, please contact our office.

Straighter teeth perform chewing, biting and speaking functions more effectively than crooked teeth.  In addition, a straight smile boosts confidence, is esthetically pleasing to look at, and can help stave off a wide variety of dental ailments.

There are several types of malocclusion including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. Each of these alignment problems negatively impacts the functionality and cosmetic appearance of the teeth.

Common disorders associated with crooked teeth:

Periodontitis – Periodontitis or gum disease begins with a bacterial infection. The bacterial infection is caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Crooked teeth are hard to clean effectively, which means that debris, plaque and bacteria can build up in hard-to-reach areas. Straight teeth are much easier to clean and are at less risk of contracting gum disease.

Temporomandibular (TMJ) Disorder (TMD) - Crooked teeth can lead to improper jaw alignment, which in turn causes a painful condition known as TMD. Severe headaches, jaw pain, lockjaw and the grinding of teeth characterize this debilitating disorder.

Tooth injury – Straight teeth creates a strong wall, which means injuries are less likely to occur. Crooked teeth are weaker and often protrude, making them far more vulnerable to external injury.

Uneven wear – Crooked teeth cause some of the teeth to work harder than others when biting and chewing. Straight teeth share the workload evenly, meaning less risk of injury and better aesthetics.

Teeth can be straightened using either orthodontic braces or customized aligning trays:

• Orthodontic braces are usually affixed to the teeth. The brackets and archwires are adjusted regularly by the orthodontist and removed when treatment is complete. 
• Aligners are fully removable braces. The trays are replaced every 1-2 weeks for the duration of the treatment, and have proven to be equally effective for straightening teeth.

Orthodontic treatments are most commonly associated with pre-teens and teenagers. However, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children receive their first orthodontic check-up around the age of 7. In cases where obvious irregularities are noted or dental development is advanced, treatment may be sought at an earlier age.

Most orthodontists agree that there is an optimal time for treating malocclusions (bad bites) and irregularities in the face and jaw. While an early orthodontic check-up does not mean that treatment will begin immediately, or even that it will become necessary, some irregularities are more easily corrected before jaw growth is complete, making it imperative to have problems detected early.    

Irregularities in Pediatric Dental Development

Orthodontic problems can sometimes be invisible to the untrained eye. An orthodontist is highly skilled at detecting the smallest clues of irregularities and misalignment. Irregularities are most often a result of genetic factors, but can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as poor oral hygiene and habits such as thumb sucking or a tongue thrust.

There is no substitute for an orthodontic examination, but here are some common signs that irregularity may become a possibility:          

• Finger or thumb sucking

• Chewing or biting problems

• Teeth that do not meet or that meet irregularly

• Disproportionate jaws

• Shifting jaws

• Earlier or later loss of baby teeth than normal

Types of Early Orthodontic Intervention

The goal of early intervention and treatment is to guide growth and development, ensuring that more serious problems do not develop in the future. If an irregularity is allowed to progress, there is a chance that later treatment will be more complicated. Your oral health professional can improve the appearance of your child’s teeth and jaw, guide jaw growth, and provide advice and support on correcting poor oral habits.

Early intervention, to avoid complicated problems, tends to fall into three main categories:

Preventive Treatments 
The goal of preventive treatment is to avoid the development of malocclusion in a normally developing mouth. A baby tooth may be removed to create space for the corresponding adult tooth to erupt. Conversely, if a baby tooth has been lost too early, a space retainer appliance will hold that space for the corresponding adult tooth.

Interceptive Treatments
Interceptive treatments aim to reduce the complexity of a developing problem and eliminate the cause where possible. The ideal candidate for interceptive treatment usually has a mixture of adult and baby teeth. Teeth sizes may be altered or longstanding baby teeth removed to create space for erupting adult teeth.

Comprehensive Treatments
Comprehensive treatments are commonly used to correct growth irregularities. When the teeth are completely misaligned or the jaws are functioning poorly, orthodontic treatment may be combined with jaw surgery, tooth extractions or restorative surgery. Comprehensive treatment can begin prior to the loss of baby teeth, with several phases of such treatment required to optimize benefits.

Orthodontists aim to prevent and treat irregularities in the jaw and misalignment of the teeth that are the result of genetics, or develop in accordance with a child’s habits. The best way to achieve these goals is to have your child evaluated by an orthodontist as early as age 7.

Orthodontists are highly trained to notice minute problems with emerging teeth and jaw growth – even if a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth are present. While the untrained eye might fail to spot these irregularities, an orthodontic check-up allows for early detection of problems and development of efficient treatment plans.

Signs of Potential Orthodontic Problems:

• • Asymmetry in the face due to disproportionate jaws
• • Finger and thumb sucking
• • Bite misalignment (arches of teeth that do not meet properly)
  • Difficulty chewing and biting

Common Orthodontic Problems for Children

Children often experience overcrowding, jaw growth irregularities, protruding teeth and teeth that are too widely spaced. While some problems are inherited, the main causes of acquired orthodontic irregularities are:

• • Dental hygiene problems
• • Habits such as thumb or finger sucking
• • Breathing through the mouth
• • Earlier or later loss of baby teeth than is considered normal

How Can an Orthodontist Help my Child?      

The orthodontist may take one of several approaches when dealing with children. In some cases, malocclusions or irregularities are carefully monitored and are addressed at a later date. The ideal time to initiate treatment varies with each individual child and is based on their unique diagnosis. 

Early orthodontic treatment is beneficial to reduce the amount and duration of later treatment, preventing more complex conditions from occurring. Through early intervention, the orthodontist is able to correct habits that lead to acquired irregularities, increase the confidence of the child, guide the growth of the jawbone, and decrease the risk of injury to protruding teeth. 

Understanding Treatment 

At North Shore Orthodontics, we take the time to help you and your child to understand why treatment may be necessary. During your Consultation, our Treatment Coordinator explains treatment to both patient and guardian in easy-to-understand language and is happy to answer any questions you or your child may have. 

Treatment Options 

During your consultation, we work with you to decide which option works for you. We demonstrate your options using a 3D digital simulation, as well as showing you real-life examples of our appliances, aligners, braces and aligners. 

Alternatives To Braces

Clear aligners can be a great alternative to braces! They are essentially removeable braces, with small, transparent bumps that are placed on your teeth to create the movements as prescribed by our orthodontists. 

Contact us to book your consultation and find out your treatment options!

Maintaining clean aligners is important for your oral hygiene and health. We recommend scrubbing your Invisalign aligners or clear retainers every day with a toothbrush and cold water. If they require a deeper clean, add liquid dish soap or hand soap. Avoid using toothpaste as the abrasive in it will scratch, and may discolour, your retainers.

ALWAYS: Use cold water!

NEVER: Boil your aligners or retainers! 

If you have any further questions or concerns, contact us!

Orthodontics is one of many dental specialties. The word “orthodontics” is derived from the Greek words orthos, meaning proper or straight and odons meaning teeth. Orthodontics is specifically concerned with diagnosing and treating tooth misalignment and irregularity in the jaw area. Initially, orthodontic treatments were geared toward the treatment of teens and pre-teens, but these days around 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults.

What problems can be treated with orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a versatile branch of dentistry that can be used alone, or in combination with maxillofacial or cosmetic dentistry.

Common Conditions Treated With Orthodontics:

• Overbite / Underbite– The discrepancy between a pair of closed jaws (also known as an anteroposterior discrepancy or deviation).  An example of such a discrepancy would be an overbite (where the upper teeth are further forward than the lower teeth), or an underbite (where the lower teeth are further forward then the upper teeth).
• Overcrowding – Overcrowding is a common orthodontic problem. It occurs when there is an insufficient space for the normal growth and development of adult teeth.
• Esthetic problems – A beautiful straight smile may be marred by a single misaligned tooth. This tooth can be realigned with ease and accuracy by the orthodontist. Alternatively, orthodontists can also work to reshape and restructure the lips, jaw or the face.

Orthodontic Solutions

Orthodontics is a technologically advanced field which offers many sophisticated solutions to malocclusions and other cosmetic problems. The orthodontist will generally perform a visual examination, panoramic X-rays, and 3D dental scans (bite impressions) in order to assess the exact nature of the discrepancy.

Common orthodontic treatments:

• Fixed orthodontic braces – A metal bracket is affixed to each tooth, and a dental wire is inserted through each base. The orthodontist is able to gradually guide the teeth into proper alignment by regularly adjusting the wire. When the desired results are achieved, the fixed dental braces are completely removed.

• Clear aligners – A removable brace system or aligner that is completely transparent. Aligners do not interfere with eating because of its removable nature, and mechanically works in the same way as the traditional braces. 
• Removable appliances – There are a wide range of removable appliances commonly used in orthodontics, including elastics and springs that improve overbites, retainers that improve the position of the teeth or hold the newly achieved position, and facemasks which are used to correct an underbite.  Retainers that are used after treatment are provided to ensure that the teeth do not begin to move back toward their original positions.  

In much the same way as doctors choose to specialize in areas such as cardiology and neurology, dentists can also choose to specialize. Orthodontics is a dental specialty which aims to prevent, diagnose and treat facial and dental irregularities, such as malocclusions (bad bites).  

Orthodontists are fully qualified dentists who embark on a further three years of university-based study and gain extensive clinical experience in an orthodontic residency program.

What does an orthodontist do?

Orthodontists are experts in correcting misalignments of the teeth and jaw. There are many debilitating problems associated with misalignment, for example, speech defects, difficulties chewing and difficulty maintaining adequate oral hygiene.  The orthodontist will recommend the best treatment plan for the patient’s particular condition.

Meet our orthodontists!

If you have any questions about orthodontists and the treatments they provide, please contact our office.

Brushing and flossing help control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease.

Plaque is a film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva that sticks to the teeth and gums.  The bacteria in plaque convert certain food particles into acids that cause tooth decay.  Also, if plaque is not removed, it turns into calculus (tartar).  If plaque and calculus are not removed, they begin to destroy the gums and bone, causing periodontal (gum) disease.

Plaque formation and growth is continuous and can only be controlled by regular brushing, flossing, and the use of other dental aids.

Toothbrushing – Brush your teeth at least twice a day (especially before going to bed at night) with a soft bristle brush and toothpaste. With braces, the brushing your teeth should take 3-4 minutes.

• Brush at a 45 degree angle to the gums, gently using a small, circular motion, ensuring that you always feel the bristles on the gums.
• Brush the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of each tooth.
• Brush above, below and underneath the brackets and wires.
• Use the tip of the brush head to clean the inside front teeth.
• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and to freshen your breath.

Electric toothbrushes are also recommended.  They are easy to use and can remove plaque efficiently.  Simply place the bristles of the electric brush on your gums and teeth and follow the above instructions.

Flossing – Daily flossing is the best way to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.  Flossing not only helps clean these spaces, it disrupts plaque colonies from building up, preventing damage to the gums, teeth, and bone.

• Take 12-16 inches (30-40cm) of dental floss and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about 2 inches (5cm) of floss between the hands.
• Using your thumbs and forefingers to guide the floss, gently insert the floss between teeth using a sawing motion.
• Curve the floss into a “C” shape around each tooth and under the gumline.  Gently move the floss up and down, cleaning the side of each tooth.
• Archwires or appliances require the use of additional tools, such as floss threaders, superfloss or orthodontic flossers to by-pass the wires.

Floss holders are recommended if you have difficulty using conventional floss.

Rinsing – It is important to rinse your mouth with water after brushing, and also after meals if you are unable to brush.  If you are using an over-the-counter product for rinsing, it’s a good idea to consult with your dentist or dental hygienist on its appropriateness for you.

WaterPik® – After brushing and flossing, a Waterpik or water flosser, can also be used to access deeper pockets or under thick tissues. These tools do not replace brushing or flossing, but are used in addition to.