Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the dental specialty of aligning (straightening) teeth. Choosing orthodontics can improve your appearance and overall dental health!

Your orthodontist is a trained specialist that can change the positioning of your teeth. This can ultimately improve your smile as well as the way your jaw functions. A consultation is always recommended, which is an appointment we set up with the orthodontist to discuss, evaluate and create a treatment plan that is best suited for you. Length, cost and what the treatment will involve are some of what will be discussed at this appointment.

What are Braces?
Braces are mechanical devices that are designed to deliberately apply pressure to your teeth. The pressure is applied over a long period of time, which will move your teeth.
Their result relies on the way the pressure is applied and the length of time they are worn.

The mechanical devices are made up of a series of brackets which can be made of metal, plastic or ceramic, thin wire strips that connect the brackets and guide the movement, called arch wires, and ligatures which are small rubber rings (or wires) that fasten the arch wires to the brackets. Depending on your case the orthodontist may use other devices such as; springs or elastics to apply pressure to either help arch wires keep their original shape or reposition specific teeth.

Depending on your orthodontic need you may also require additional removable or fixed appliances to aid in the development of the jaw or bite.

Caring for your Braces
It is very important to properly clean and maintain your braces as instructed by your orthodontist and dental hygienist. Braces have many grooves and nooks where food can get lodged. This can not only lead to cavities and gum disease but also to your appearance upon talking or smiling. Diet is also important, and your orthodontist and hygienist will educate you on what foods are suitable to eat and which are damaging to your teeth and braces. You will probably be given a special brush and/or special aids to help keep your teeth clean and healthy!

If you don’t brush your teeth can develop cavities and/or permanent white or dark spots which is not very attractive nor pleasing to the fact you have spent a lengthy period of time going through treatment to get a beautiful end result only to have it flawed with permanent staining!

It is also very important to not impede on the progress of your orthodontic care. Keeping your appointments and following your orthodontists treatment instruction is very crucial in ensuring you stay on track and do not lengthen your total treatment unecessarily.