Orthodontic Treatment in Milton, ON
Going through life concealing something you don’t like about your appearance is no way to live. Especially, when you hesitate to smile. A smile conveys friendliness, happiness and confidence, and is an important part of the overall image you present. Many of us need Orthodontic treatment and this article is for the people who lives in Milton or surrounding areas and would like to know more about Orthodontic treatment options.
Trilliant Dentistry strive to become Milton’s leading dental office by being a one-stop office for all your dental needs. We provide gentle and precise dental work, cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic treatments.
- Comfortable Solution
- Unnoticeable Aligner
- Removable Dental Braces
What is considered orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is a specialised branch of dentistry that deals with correcting the position and alignment of teeth and jaws.
Orthodontic treatment can straighten teeth, correct problems with bite, close gaps between the teeth, and even align the lips and teeth properly.
Orthodontic treatment involves using appliances that apply a consistent, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction to move teeth to the proper position. The most common corrective devices include:
- Braces
- Clear aligners
- Headgears
- Removable appliances
- Retainers
Sometimes devices will be used in combination to ensure the best possible outcome. In more complex cases, oral surgery may be necessary.
While orthodontic treatment is most commonly associated with aesthetics (improving the look of a person’s teeth and smile), there are also notable health benefits since misaligned teeth can lead to serious oral health complications.
Common Ortho Issues & Treatment
Overcrowding and Missing Teeth
The most common teeth-related problems are overcrowding and missing teeth.
Overcrowding occurs when the adult teeth come in but there is not enough space to accommodate them. This causes the teeth to turn and move out of alignment.
Overcrowding causes crooked teeth and teeth that stick out. People who have crowded, crooked teeth will likely feel self conscious about their appearance, but this is more than just a cosmetic issue.
Crowded, crooked teeth are harder to clean and are therefore more prone to cavities, decay and increase the risk of gum disease. Also, teeth that stick out are more likely to suffer injury because they are more easily chipped or broken.
Treatment for overcrowding depends on the severity of the crowding and the age of the patient. If the condition is treated when a patient is young, it is usually less complex and invasive. Treatment may involve braces, clear aligners/Invisalign and/or retainers. In more severe cases, the orthodontist may have to extract certain teeth.
Sometimes people are born missing teeth; most commonly it’s the upper lateral incisors that are missing. These are the teeth that sit on either side of the two front teeth in the upper jaw. If this condition is left untreated, the surrounding teeth will shift into the empty spaces creating gaps that will eventually affect a person’s bite.
There are several treatment options for this condition such as implants, bridges and removable partial dentures.
Bad Bites
Since the position of your teeth and jaws affects your bite, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to correct a malocclusion, or what is more commonly known as a “bad bite.” This is when your top and bottom teeth do not fit together properly. Different types of bad bites include:
- an open bite
- an overbite
- an underbite
- an overjet
Bad bites tend to negatively affect a person’s appearance and self esteem. Bad bites also cause health problems if left untreated.
An open bite is when the top and bottom rows of teeth do not connect during chewing actions. Beyond poor aesthetics, this problem should be resolved to aid proper digestion.
An overbite is when the upper row of teeth overlaps the lower row. An overbite causes undue pressure and wear on the lower teeth which can lead to early tooth degradation.
An underbite is essentially the opposite of an overbite, occurring when the lower jaw extends beyond the upper. Even slight underbites can cause significant health problems. The most common complications include:
- Pain
- Difficulties with chewing, swallowing, speaking and even breathing
- Tooth decay and breakage
- Gum disease and infections
There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options which can include:
- Upper jaw expanders
- Reverse-pull masks
- Chin caps
- Braces
An overjet occurs when the top front teeth point outward over the bottom teeth toward the lip. Overjet is more commonly known by the unfortunate phrase “buck teeth.” People with overjet is likely to feel self conscious because overjet is typically more noticeable and visually unappealing than other bad bites. Beyond poor aesthetics, overjet increase the risk of trauma to the upper anterior teeth.
In general, bad bites make it harder to chew certain foods which can affect digestion and lead to poor nutrition. Chewing difficulties also put extra stress on the chewing muscles which can lead to frequent headaches, TMJ syndrome as well as neck, shoulder and back pain.
The most common corrective devices for bad bites are:
- Braces
- Clear aligners/ Invisalign
- Retainers
In more severe cases, tooth extraction and jaw surgery may be necessary.
How much does Orthodontic Treatment Cost in Canada?
The average cost for orthodontic treatment starts at around $3,500; however, there are now more options than ever before, and each option offers specific benefits and associated costs. The final treatment cost will depend on several factors including:
- The specific system selected;
- The difficulty of the application and dismantling procedures;
- The cost of the materials; and
- The treatment provider’s rate.
How much does Orthodontic Treatment Cost in Canada?
The best age for orthodontic treatment is right before a patient loses their last set of baby molars. This varies but is usually around the ages of 12 – 14 for most children.
In some cases, interceptive orthodontics might be recommended. Most dentists can tell if a patient’s teeth will be misaligned when a patient’s adult teeth start to come in – usually when children are around age six or seven. An orthodontist may recommend interceptive orthodontics to treat and prevent a problem as it is developing. In fact, both the Canadian and American Associations of Orthodontists recommend that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just for adolescents as teeth can be moved at any age. Today, more and more adults are choosing to get orthodontic treatment to improve the look and health of their smiles. Moreover, misaligned teeth tend to become a more serious problem as people age. With adults and seniors, severe gum infections and periodontal disease may increase the risk of:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Lung diseases
- Problems during pregnancy
- Complications related to diabetes
- Alzheimer’s disease
However, it’s best to be proactive because it generally takes longer to treat adults than children or teens.
What are some of the Orthodontic treatment options?
Dental Braces
Braces consist of bands, wires and other fixed or removable appliances, and are the most common type of orthodontic treatment used by orthodontists.
Braces straighten teeth and improve bite issues because they stay in place for an extended period of time while applying steady pressure.
Today’s braces are smaller and less noticeable. Besides the traditional metal braces, there are tooth-coloured ceramic braces, as well as “mini braces” which are much smaller than traditional braces.
There are even lingual braces (which are much the same as traditional braces) except that the brackets and wires are affixed to the back of the teeth so that they are completely hidden from sight.
While children may opt for multicoloured braces and elastics, adults will likely prefer clear aligners.
Braces are adjusted by the orthodontist during regular visits (usually once a month or so) to make sure that they are exerting steady pressure. At these appointments, the orthodontist attaches wires, springs, or rubber bands to the braces in order to create more tension and pressure on the teeth.
The time for wearing braces varies from person to person depending on different factors. On average, however, most patients wear braces for one to three years. After the braces are removed, most patients will have to wear a retainer all the time for the first six months, and then only while sleeping for a couple of years.
It is not uncommon to experience some discomfort when braces are first applied and after adjustments. It will also take a bit of time to get used to the feel of braces. In the beginning, braces can irritate the patient’s lips and cheeks, but a relief wax can be applied to the braces to minimize this. To make eating easier after braces are first applied and after adjustments, soft foods are recommended.
People who wear braces should avoid certain foods that are hard, like nuts for example. Sticky treats (like chewing gum and toffee) should also be avoided because they can loosen braces, distort wires and even pull braces off teeth.
A thorough and correct brushing and flossing routine is even more important for people who wear braces. This is because plaque tends to build up around the edges of the braces. For this reason, brushing and flossing will take a bit longer.
Braces in Canada can cost anywhere from $3000 to $10,000 depending on factors like the type of braces needed (or desired), and the patient’s customized treatment plan.
Oral B estimates the average prices for different types of braces as follows:
- Metal braces (traditional braces): $3,000 ‒ $7,000
- Ceramic braces: $4,000 ‒ $8,000
- Lingual braces: $8,000 ‒ $10,000
- Invisalign: $3,500 ‒ $7,400
And while braces must be worn for some time and do require extra care, they are absolutely worth the cost. This is because braces improve a person’s appearance and overall health, while decreasing the likelihood of costly dental work later in life.
Invisalign
In recent years, clear aligners have become a popular choice for teeth straightening, especially among teens and adults who may feel self conscious about wearing braces.
Invisalign is a proven technology that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten teeth. As the trade name suggests, Invisalign aligners provide a virtually invisible solution.
Invisalign aligners are the only clear aligners made with SmartTrack material and have been clinically proven to straighten teeth with 75 per cent more predictability.
Your treatment provider will complete a scan or impression and will customize the aligners using 3D computer imaging technology. The aligners are then changed about every two weeks or so. Each aligner worn throughout treatment will gradually and predictably move the patient’s teeth into the desired position.
Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than traditional braces because there’s no metal brackets or wires that can cause irritation. Also, because the aligners are removable, you can continue to eat your favourite foods. Likewise, you can remove the aligners when brushing and flossing.
Another advantage of Invisalign is that patients spend less time in the office because the aligners do not have to be adjusted like braces. Most visits are quick with a progress check once every 11 weeks or so. The time period for treatment is also shorter because proprietary innovations reduce the treatment period ‒ with most estimates cutting the total treatment time in half.
Several factors determine the cost of Invisalign treatment such as the extent of the issues that need to be corrected; how long the treatment plan will take, and the specific treatment details prescribed.
An added bonus is that many dental insurance plans might cover up to 50% of the total cost.
Trilliant Dentistry
Our dental experts are qualified to perform orthodontic work and take pride in creating healthy, straight, beautiful smiles that can last a lifetime.
Our office is located in Milton, ON, and we serve the town of Milton and surrounding communities.
Contact our Milton office for more information, or to request a free consultation appointment with one of our dentists. Financing options are also available.
We Promise to Provide:
- A professional and friendly office environment;
- Comprehensive consultations;
- The latest technology to diagnose and inform customized, cost-efficient treatment options;
- Age-appropriate communication explaining treatment options, procedures and aftercare; and
- Responsive patient care.
Some of the other dental care services we provide include:
- Emergency dental treatment
- Crowns and bridges
- Teeth whitening
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Implant dentistry
- Teeth extraction
- Digital X-rays
- Root canal treatment
- Dentures
- Oral-cancer screenings
Legal Disclaimer: The content of this website is provided as informational material and not to be interpreted as medical advice.
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