Orthodontics Regina - Invisalign, Braces

Creating a Well Aligned Smile

Orthodontics were first applied in treating only pre-teens experiencing problems with malocclusion (improper bites) resulting from tooth irregularity, disproportionate jaw relationships or both. However, orthodontics today has been expanded to treat a wide variety of cases for pre-teens as well as adults. In fact, almost 30 percent of orthodontic patients are adults. It does pay to begin orthodontic treatment as early as possible though, in order to achieve the best desired results. Both the American and Canadian Dental Association (ADA/CDA), advise that children should be evaluated for orthodontic treatment by the age of seven years old.

The Restorative and Esthetic Nature of Orthodontics

Orthodontics is often applied for the purposes of restorative use in treating malocclusions which may interfere with eating and speaking. Yet because an improper bite may also interfere with the development of a beautiful and well aligned smile, even affecting facial jaw lines, it may also be considered for esthetic purposes in cosmetic dentistry.

Since deep bites (malocclusion) sometimes interfere with speaking and eating, such treatment is usually deemed as restorative. In other cases, malocclusion simply hinders the development of an esthetically pleasing smile creating harsh facial jaw lines in which treatment may be classified as cosmetic. Orthodontics can be used to rejuvenate your facial appearance by reshaping the jaw, neck and lips sometimes with the help of maxillofacial surgical procedures to achieve the best desired results. Well aligned teeth not only are rewarding in their restorative and esthetic benefits, oral hygiene is also more easily maintained in properly aligned teeth.

Orthodontics today involves repositioning the teeth and their underlying roots allowing a better foundation for the crown of the tooth. Today treatment and technology have combined to produce greater esthetic results where patients experience less discomfort and less time in treatment to maximize your teeth’s functionality and performance, such as invisalign (invisible removable braces), ensuring you have a great smile at any age.

The Orthodontic Evaluation

Once you are determined a candidate for orthodontic treatment, your dentist may use several methods to evaluate your bite in order to create and develop the best suited treatment plan for you such as the following listed below:

• Oral and facial examination
• Your teeth and corresponding facial structure will be photographed for records
• A series of X-rays will be taken to evaluate the bone structure
• Finally impressions will be taken of your teeth and bite

In performing a clinical evaluation, your dentist will review your dental records, take X-rays of your head  and mouth, make models your teeth by taking accurate impressions in order to devise the most effective orthodontic treatment strategy.

After the treatment plan is established your dentist will then be able to estimate the treatment time necessary for the bracket phase of your treatment. This standard amount of time for this phase is about two years depending on the severity of your case. After your treatment is completed your dentist will want to follow up with a retainer for a designated period of time in order to ensure that your teeth remain in their position to prevent shifting.

How long? The Duration of your Orthodontic Treatment

The time is determined by age, the severity of your case and how closely treatment plan is followed outside of the office. The reason age is a variable is because the teeth seen in younger patients are easier to move than the older patients, which is why younger patients often respond more quickly to treatment than patients of an older age. Adult patients, however, usually follow treatment instructions more consistently than pre-teens. Oral surgery and recovery may be required in more complicated cases in which a longer period of treatment time is required. These factors will be determined and explained to you by your dentist whether necessary before or during your orthodontic treatment.