General Orthodontic Questions That Everyone Wants to Know

Have you decided to start orthodontic treatment soon? First, we would like to compliment you on your conclusion. The path to straightening teeth, a healthy bite, and a beautiful smile await you at the end of your journey with orthodontic therapy.

As you have decided to start orthodontic treatment from the nearby orthodontist, you may have several questions you want answers for. Here is a list of general questions about orthodontics that will help you proceed with your treatment.

At What Age Can You Get Orthodontic Braces?

Getting braces at any age is not a challenge. However, they are not recommended until age 10, but every patient is unique. Orthodontists try to avoid braces on baby teeth because they strive to ensure you only need braces once in your life. In addition, they deliver state-of-the-art braces and wires to help you achieve excellent results with the treatment.

If you think you or your kid needs braces, you can schedule a complimentary exam with the dentist in Brantford and take your child to their pediatric dentist for the exam. In addition, pediatric and general dentists now offer in-office and video consultations to fit your busy schedule. Therefore you can discuss your situation and that of your child with the dentist to understand whether you can receive orthodontic treatment.

Can Childhood Bad Habits Affect Tooth Alignment?

Some childhood habits can compromise the functionality and appearance of your child’s smile. For example, the seemingly insignificant, extended pacifier use, thumb-sucking, teeth grinding, chewing on various subjects and lips sucking can result in tooth decay, misalignment and other oral problems to affect tooth alignment. Therefore you must care for your child’s teeth by ensuring they develop proper childhood habits by helping them avoid harmful practices that will require orthodontic treatment.

Is There Any Specific Reason for Teeth Feeling Misaligned Unexpectedly?

Your jaw becomes misaligned agonies if it makes clicking sounds when chewing, and you experience throbbing pain when breathing. In such cases, you might suffer from unexpected shifting and misalignments of your jaw and teeth. Misaligned jaws can also result in dental problems like cavities and gum disease and can develop at any time. The problem can also lead to other health issues making it essential to receive an evaluation from the dental office as soon as possible.

How Long Will Orthodontic Treatment Last?

Every patient is unique, and the treatment time depends on the situation’s complexity. When you meet with the Brantford orthodontist, they will assess the severity of your orthodontic problem, customize your treatment plan, and give you an estimated time for completing the treatment. However, you can expect orthodontic treatment to last between 18 to 36 months, depending on the complexity of your situation.

Which Are Optimal Traditional Braces or Invisalign?

Here again, your situation’s complexity determines whether you need traditional braces or can manage with Invisalign. Invisalign clear aligners are optimal for mild to moderate orthodontic conditions and deliver excellent results between six to 24 months. However, you must wear Invisalign braces over your teeth for at least 22 hours daily.

If you have a complex concern, you will require traditional braces attached to your teeth throughout the day and night for your treatment. Traditional braces are the gold standard for correcting any orthodontic problem with your teeth or jaws. Traditional orthodontics requires more time to complete treatment, but their results are exceptional.

While Invisalign and traditional braces are excellent appliances for orthodontic corrections, the complexity of your situation determines which option best meets your needs.

Does Orthodontic Treatment Hurt?

Orthodontic treatment with traditional braces or Invisalign causes minor discomfort in the initial stages of the treatment. You may feel tightness and soreness around your teeth and gums in the first week after starting orthodontic treatment. However, you can expect your mouth to adjust and take OTC painkillers as your dentist advises if you confront persistent challenges to overcome the discomfort.

What Can You Eat with Braces?

Eating with traditional braces will require adjustment. You must avoid crunchy and hard foods to avoid damaging the braces. You must also limit your sugar intake with conventional braces to prevent tooth decay and cavities besides decalcification.

If you receive Invisalign to straighten your teeth, they have a removable feature and require removal whenever eating or drinking anything but water. However, no other restrictions are imposed by Invisalign, allowing you to have your favourite foods while going through orthodontic treatment to achieve straighter teeth and a beautiful smile.

How Many Orthodontic Appointments Do You Need During Your Treatment?

If receiving orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, you must see the Brantford orthodontist every month for adjustment and tightening of the wires. Invisalign does not require monthly visits to the orthodontist because you can see them once every six to eight weeks to evaluate your improvement and collect your fresh batch of aligners.

What after Orthodontic Treatment?

After completing orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist advises you must wear retainers over your teeth to help them stabilize in their new positions indefinitely or until they advise you to wear them only at night. The retainers prevent your teeth from reverting and help keep them straight and beautiful without the usual infections you endured before receiving orthodontic treatment.

If considering orthodontic treatment for you or your child, kindly arrange a meeting with AVA Dentistry to receive the treatment. Besides providing suitable orthodontic appliances for your teeth, the practice also helps answer all your questions before receiving before starting treatment and remaining with you until the end.