Orthodontic treatments are not 1-size-fits-all. Your treatment is determined by your unique needs, including the type of misalignment or bite, your age, and your preferences. For example, children may need assistance to guide their teeth and jawbone growth into proper alignment. Adults and teenagers who aren’t growing need a different approach.
Because each person is different, every treatment is tailored to the individual. We’ll take time to discuss your teeth, along with any questions you may have, during your consultation. We’re here to guide and support you through the decision-making process and treatment plan.
Request an appointment for your free consultation with our team today.
Orthodontic appliances include devices beyond braces and aligners that are used to reposition the teeth or modify jawbone growth in children and teenagers. They can be used alongside braces or prior to teeth straightening.
Orthodontic appliances are generally used to correct bite misalignment, such as underbite, overbite, and crossbite. This helps your teeth work together for biting and chewing, and prevents excess tooth wear from poor alignment.
Braces are probably the first thing you think of when considering orthodontics. There are actually several types of braces and clear aligner options that can help align your teeth.
The style of braces or aligners that can work for you depends on your teeth and jaw. We can discuss these options thoroughly with you during your free consultation with Dr. Caley.
In general, we offer traditional metal braces, clear ceramic braces, and clear aligners.
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of braces. Made of high-grade stainless steel, metal braces straighten your teeth using metal brackets and archwires. These metal brackets are attached directly to the outside surface of your teeth with a special glue. We use Solventum brackets, which are designed with a low, smooth profile for comfort.
With metal braces, you can add multicoloured elastics for a more unique, colourful smile.
Ceramic braces are made of clear materials for a less visible appearance. We use Solventum ceramic brackets and LightForce custom 3D printed brackets for clear braces.
Clear braces are a good option for older teenagers and adults who are concerned about the appearance of their braces. While they offer a more subtle option, they do require more attention to oral hygiene as they are larger and more brittle compared to metal braces. For this reason, we typically do not recommend clear braces for younger children and teens.
Clear aligners are removable acrylic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. They offer an almost invisible appearance, and adjustments involve upgrading through a series of trays rather than having brackets and wires adjusted.
Because they are removable, you can eat and drink normally during treatment. It also makes brushing and flossing easy, as you can remove the trays for these activities.
In addition to braces and aligners, we use other orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic appliances to adjust the growth of your teeth and jaw, and to improve the alignment of your teeth.
Some of these appliances are used in addition to braces, while others are placed in preparation for orthodontic treatment. If any of these appliances are part of your or your child’s treatment plan, we’ll explain their purpose, function, and any related care instructions.
Separators are small rubber doughnuts that are temporarily placed between your teeth to push them apart. They help create space between your teeth before orthodontic bands can be placed. These orthodontic bands are often needed to successfully place braces. Separators will be removed before we place the bands.
Do not eat sticky foods or use toothpicks or floss between teeth with separators. This can dislodge the spaces, requiring a return appointment to replace them.
The palatal expander is a dentofacial orthopedic device that widens the upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on the upper molars with each adjustment. Designed for both children and teenagers, this device helps their upper and lower teeth fit together comfortably, improves breathing and facial symmetry, creates room for permanent teeth, and can reduce the need for invasive orthodontic procedures later on.
Dr. Caley can give you instructions on how and when to adjust the expander. Depending on the age of your child, you may need to assist with the adjustments. When the desired expansion is reached, your child will still need to wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and prevent the upper jaw from returning to its original shape.
Retainers are used to hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after they have been straightened. They come in a variety of forms, from fixed to removable, and can be made from clear plastic, acrylic, or with wires.
Dr. Caley can instruct you on how to care for your retainer and how long you should wear it. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to help prevent your teeth from returning to their pre-treatment position.
The Carriere Motion Appliance helps to correct misaligned back teeth. This device pulls the canine tooth, premolars, and molars into proper alignment before braces or aligners are applied. It is used to correct bite issues faster than with traditional braces or clear aligners alone.
It uses a distalizer, a small stainless steel appliance, which is attached to the upper canine tooth and the premolar on both sides of your mouth. A back tooth on each side of the lower jaw will serve as an anchor. An elastic band is then used to connect the anchor tooth to the distalizer, helping the misaligned back teeth reach their proper positions.
The PowerScope corrector is designed to correct Class II bites, which are bites that are considered irregular and can cause dental issues. It has a low-profile design with smooth, rounded edges for comfort. It is applied outside the braces, near the corners of your mouth.
The PowerScope helps to correct bite issues such as an overbite or crossbite. The goal of the PowerScope device is to make the treatment results more predictable, avoid the need for tooth extractions, and shorten the overall treatment period.
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is important during orthodontic treatment. The health of your teeth and gums affects your overall well-being, the effectiveness of your treatment, and how long it can take.
We know that your brushing and flossing routine may look a little different during orthodontic treatments. We’re here to guide you through the process and give you tips and tricks to help keep your teeth sparkling, no matter which appliance you’re using.
We recommend brushing your teeth after every meal. Each brushing session should last 2 minutes. We can show you or your child how to angle your brush and use a floss threader to get every nook and cranny.
As well, you can and should maintain routine dental cleaning appointments with your dentist during your orthodontic treatment. Dentists are familiar and experienced in performing cleanings and exams around various orthodontic equipment.
Before determining which appliance can work for you, we’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth, jaw, and bite. After your comprehensive assessment, we’ll discuss our findings and propose the available treatment options.
We’ll provide our recommendations for your treatment based on effectiveness, duration, and cost so you can make an informed decision.
To book your free consultation, please request an appointment online or contact us directly.
Find us in The Boardwalk shopping centre on the second floor of building 235. We’re just across the parking lot from Staples and above Popeyes and Booster Juice.
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