Once you’ve lost all your baby teeth, your adult teeth begin to emerge and settle into their permanent position. This is the perfect time to correct any misalignment issues and prevent issues like misalignment and tooth crowding from occurring.
Orthodontic treatment for teens, like Invisalign or braces, guides teeth at this crucial stage to ensure their correct development. Our doctors and specialists at Mississauga family dentistry will work closely with you to pick the right orthodontic solution for your dental condition. With proper care, treatment can often be completed in as little as 6 months.
Despite the images of bulky metal braces we see on TV and in movies, this time-tested orthodontic treatment has come a long way in recent years. Modern braces are much more minimal and low-profile, featuring smaller brackets and more slender wires. They’re also much easier to clean and maintain than they were several decades ago. Traditional braces remain the most trusted method for correcting teeth.
Clear aligner services like Invisalign are fast becoming the most popular orthodontic treatments on the market– and with good reason. When compared to traditional orthodontic methods, clear aligners make cleaning simple, reduce the number of trips to the orthodontist’s office, and offer a corrective solution that is more comfortable and far less noticeable. Clear aligners can also be removed to eat, drink, and have pictures taken.
An ideal compromise for teenagers who would benefit most from traditional braces but would rather avoid all that visible hardware. Clear brackets utilize the hardware of braces, but with clear brackets instead of the traditional metal ones. The result is low-profile braces that are almost unnoticeable at first glance.
Ideally, orthodontic treatment would occur in younger patients before most adult teeth have arrived. If you are a parent, we recommend bringing your teen in for a consultation. But don’t worry! There are orthodontic treatment options available for adults too! It’s never too late.
Braces do not hurt when they are first applied. After they begin to shift your teeth some discomfort may be felt. Most patients describe the feeling as more annoying than painful. That being said, if you have any pain or discomfort, let us know! There are solutions available to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Avoid food that might damage your braces (like candy apples, caramel, or corn on the cob) or may be difficult to clean out of braces (like caramel, gum and popcorn). You may also want to avoid sugary or acidic foods which will be more difficult than usual to clean off your teeth. Clear braces can become stained by some foods like beets, curry and kraft dinner.
Call us right away! Don’t wait until your next appointment.
Floss threaders and super floss are available and specially designed for flossing your braces or permanent retainers. We’d be happy to show you how to floss your braces at your next appointment.
For small changes, orthodontic treatment can be as short as 6 months but for the majority of patients, braces will stay on for between 6 months and 2 years. We can give you a more accurate estimate after an oral exam.
