FAQ

1. What is Phase One (Early) Treatment?
2. Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?
3. What are the benefits of early treatment?
4. What can happen between Phase I and Phase II treatment?
5. How is room saved for permanent teeth?
6. How is room created for permanent teeth?
7. Do I need to have teeth extracted?
8. Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?
9. Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?
10. What causes crowding?
11. Why should I have my teeth straightened?
12. How do braces work?
13. Will my teeth look worse before they look better during treatment?
14. Can my teeth be straightened without braces?
15. What are self-ligating braces?
16. Do braces cause a lot of discomfort?
17. Will braces effect my day to day lifestyle?
18. How long will I have my braces on?
19. Will my teeth shift after orthodontic treatment?

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What is Phase One (Early) Treatment?

Phase one treatment, also known as early treatment, is usually initiated on children between the ages of 7 and 10. Early treatment lasts about 12-16 months and the primary objective is to address significant problems to prevent them from becoming more severe and to improve self-esteem and self-image.

Will my child need full braces if he/she has Phase One treatment?

The best thing to do is to assume that full braces will be needed after phase one treatment. The period following phase one treatment is called the "resting period," during which growth and tooth eruption are closely monitored. Throughout this period, parents and patients will be kept informed of future treatment recommendations.

What are the benefits of early treatment?

Early treatment can correct bite and jaw problems that may otherwise require surgery. As your child grows, the bones in the jaw becomes dense and the sutures where the bones meet fuse together, which makes it impossible to correct the disharmony at a later age.

What can happen between Phase I and Phase II treatment?

This period between phase one and two is called growth/observation period. During this period we monitor and retain the correction that has been made in Phase I while guiding the growth of the permanent teeth into a more favourable position.

How is room saved for permanent teeth?

Baby teeth hold room for the permanent teeth that will come in later. A lower lingual arch space maintainer can be placed when the baby canine and baby molars are getting loose or fall out prematurely. The space maintainer prevents the lower back permanent molars from slipping forward and prevents the lower front permanent incisor teeth from tipping toward the tongue. This saves or preserves the maximum amount of space for the permanent teeth (canines and bicuspids) that grow between the permanent back molars and the permanent lower incisors. An upper holding arch works on the same principals and is placed on the upper arch to maintain space that may be lost.

How is room created for permanent teeth?

If space is needed to accommodate permanent teeth, certain orthodontic appliances are used to achieve this goal. Some of these include:

• Palatal expander - an appliance that is bonded to teeth and has a screw at the center of the palate. The screw is turned as prescribed by the orthodontist in order to apply pressure to the teeth and expand the upper arch.
• Twin Block - a removable retainer with 2 parts that helps position the lower jaw forward and remodel the lower jaw bone in a more favourable position.
• Quad Helix - a fixed orthodontic appliance that is used to expand the upper arch. It is cemented in the mouth with bands on the back molars. The four helix springs help widen the arch to make room for crowded teeth.

Do I need to have teeth extracted?

With the advent of new orthodontic bracket systems, we are able to treat most of our patients without the removal of healthy permanent teeth. However, a small number of patients still require extraction of permanent teeth to achieve an optimal bite.

Is it too late to have braces if I am already an adult?

It is never too late to start orthodontic care. In fact, 25 percent of all orthodontic patients are adults. Especially in today's esthetically driven society, more and more adults are using orthodontics to enhance their smile. Health, happiness and self-esteem are vitally important to adults. No patient is "too old" to wear braces!

Can I wear braces even though I have crowns and missing teeth?

Yes, you can. With the advances in orthodontic care we can bond brackets to just about any kind of surface, including the porcelain of your crown. This allows a tooth with a crown to move just like a tooth with a simple filling. When teeth are missing, orthodontic treatment will aid in the alignment of the remaining teeth.

What causes crowding?

Crowding, like height and eye color is inherited from the parents. However, there are environmental factors that can play a role in causing crowding. Habits, such as finger sucking, pacifier sucking, tooth decay, premature loss of baby teeth, trauma and gum disease can all play a part.

Why should I have my teeth straightened?

Aside from the esthetic benefits of having a beautiful smile there are other reasons for having your teeth straightened. Straight teeth make it easier for you to clean your teeth by eliminating food traps caused by crowding. This can greatly reduce and help to eliminate gum disease. Having straight teeth also creates an even wearing of your teeth allowing you to keep them for a lifetime.

How do braces work?

Brackets made of metal or ceramic are attached to teeth with glue and are connected together by the use of a wire. This wire exerts a force on your bracket, which transfers this force to the teeth and make them move to the desired position. Even though it may not feel like it to you all the time, while in orthodontic treatment your mouth is constantly changing.

Will my teeth look worse before they look better during treatment?

As teeth are straightened with braces, spaces can open up and it may appear that midlines shift. Don't worry it is all part of the treatment. Those spaces are closed up and midlines are monitored to ensure that they end up where they are suppose to be.

Can my teeth be straightened without braces?

There are options such as, "invisible braces" that consist of a series of trays that can align teeth without braces called Invisalign™. However, we do not recommend it for patients with severe malocclusion. We can tell you during the consult appointment if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign™.

What are self-ligating braces?

Self-ligating braces are braces that do not need coloured elastics or metal ties to hold the arch wire in the bracket, making the brackets smaller and more aesthetically pleasing. There is actually room in the bracket slot for the arch wire to move which allows for lighter forces on the teeth. This prevents root resorption from too much pressure on the teeth. This technology moves the teeth faster and more easily.

Do braces cause a lot of discomfort?

It is only after the initial appointment and after any arch wire changes that you will feel some discomfort due to pressure on the teeth. This discomfort does not usually last more than 2-3 days and for the most part does not interfere with normal day to day activities. The discomfort can be alleviated with the use of over the counter anti-inflammatory such as Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen. If there is something other than discomfort from the pressure, such as poking from a wire that has shifted or come out of a bracket, orthodontic wax or sugar free gum over the area will alleviate the irritation until you can come in and have it looked at.

Will braces effect my day to day lifestyle?

Only if you cannot stay away from candy, popcorn and beef jerky, will it affect your day to day life. Super sticky, hard and chewy foods can weaken the bond between bracket and teeth and lead to loose brackets/bands. These foods can also cause the wires to bend and possibly come out of the brackets. Foods high in sugar can also cause cavities, areas of decalcification, and gum disease. The only other modification you need to make is to add in a few extra minutes to brush your teeth and brackets after each meal.

How long will I have my braces on?

Orthodontic treatment takes approximately 2 years depending on how severe your case is. This is also affected by patient compliance and oral hygiene. We will discuss the approximate time during your consult appointment.

Will my teeth shift after orthodontic treatment?

Yes they will. Teeth will shift if retainers are not worn, broken or lost. Retainers keep your teeth in position while the fibers that hold your teeth to the bone and tissue re-establish themselves in their newly created position. If you lose your retainers or they don't fit properly, please contact us as soon as possible.