Early Orthodontics
Our primary goal for your children’s dental development is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health their whole life long. If necessary your Dentist may recommend that you and your child speak to our Orthodontic Specialist to discuss early orthodontics. Dr. Tzotzis can monitor your child’s oral development and recommend orthodontic treatment if necessary. We will record your child’s dental and medical history, complete a comprehensive examination and discuss any findings with you.
We will also review the importance of maintaining a good dental health program with you and your child to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for life! We also educate parents in the early detection of some common problems children may face including crowning, misalignment, overbite, underbite, crossbite or a midline discrepancy. Our doctors and staff will explain everything in detail and will answer any questions you or your child may have. We are experienced in dealing with children and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner using language children can understand.
We want your child to enjoy getting to know our doctors and staff and be comfortable at all times. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put your child at ease during future dental visits. We are a very child-friendly office, with amenities that kids love such as TV’s in every room, a children’s play area, treasure chest, headsets and iPods.
When is the best time to begin orthodontics?
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at this time ensures the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. An initial orthodontic evaluation should occur at the first sign of orthodontic problems or no later than age 7. At this early age, orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but vigilant examination can anticipate the most advantageous time to begin treatment.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?
Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. An orthodontist can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.
Why is age 7 considered the optimal time for screening?
By the age of 7, the first adult molars erupt, establishing the back bite. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. For example, the presence of erupting incisors can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding or gummy smiles. Timely screening increases the chances for an incredible smile.
What are the advantages of interceptive treatment?
- Some of the most direct results of interceptive treatment are:
- Creating room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
- Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Preserving space for unerupted teeth
- Reducing the need for tooth removal
- Reducing treatment time with braces
Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile – it creates a healthier you.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic Options (Orthodontics for Adults)
Never ‘Too Old’ for Braces
Braces aren’t just for kids anymore, your new smile can begin today. Tooth alignment can be changed at any age if your gums and bone structure are healthy. We offer a variety of treatments that are designed for different patient needs. These treatments include Invisalign clear aligners, translucent braces, hidden braces and of course traditional metal braces.
Why Braces, Why Now?
Orthodontic treatment at later stages in life can dramatically improve your personal appearance and self-esteem. Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and a bad bite can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel and surfaces, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain.
Good news! The new techniques and appliances we use greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, shorten treatment time and may allow you to choose from several options. Your options may include metal braces, translucent braces, hidden braces or transparent aligners.
During the initial examination, we will be able to determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs, including an outline of the treatment plan, expected length of time for treatment and the approximate cost.
A large percentage of our patients are adults, and they agree that it’s never too late to improve their greatest asset – their smile.
Invisalign®
Introducing Invisalign® — The Straightest Way to a Great Smile
Invisalign® straightens your teeth without wires and brackets, using a series of clear, customized, removable appliances called aligners. It’s virtually undetectable, which means hardly anyone will know that you’re straightening your teeth.
The Invisalign® System combines advanced 3-D computer graphics technology with the 100-year-old science of orthodontics. Invisalign® aligners are designed to move your teeth in small steps to the desired final position prescribed by your orthodontist. Each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured to fit your mouth at each stage of the treatment plan. Your first step is to visit our office to determine if Invisalign® is right for you. After sending precise treatment instructions, Invisalign® uses advanced computer technology to translate these instructions in a sequence of finely calibrated aligners — as few as 12 or as many as 48.
How They Work
Each aligner is worn for about two weeks and only taken out to eat, brush and floss. As you replace each aligner with the next, your teeth will begin to move gradually — week-by-week until the final alignment prescribed is attained. Then you’ll be smiling like you never have before!
Who Can Wear Invisalign?
To ensure the best possible results, only a dentist who has been trained and certified by Align Technology can diagnose and treat using Invisalign. Invisalign® is not intended for children and is not appropriate for every adult. To see if Invisalign can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, contact us to make an appointment.
If you want to learn more about Invisalign and how it works, please visit the Invisalign Homepage.
Fixed Appliances
Fixed appliances are either metal, translucent or hidden braces and are the ideal choice for a complex or more complicated treatment plan. This is because they can facilitate the desired tooth movement in the most efficient and predictable manner.
How Long Will I Need to Wear Braces?
Treatment time varies person to person and depends on the severity of the problem to be fixed. Typical treatment plans last anywhere from 1 – 3 years, however during your consultation the orthodontist will give you an approximate timeline for your treatment plan.
How Often Will I need to Visit the Orthodontist?
Depending on the treatment choice, and the severity of the problem to be fixed, your orthodontist will likely ask you to visit every 1 – 3 months. This will be necessary to adjust the tensions in your treatment and ensure adequate tooth movement.
Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces have been the treatment of choice for orthodontic problems. They have been around for years and are the most popular treatment choice as they are affordable while remaining durable.
Metal braces have brackets which are cemented to the front of each tooth and look like small squares. These brackets are joined together by a wire which is held in place with elastics. Elastics come in a variety of colours, including clear so you can ‘decorate’ your braces if you wish.
Translucent (Clear) Braces
Translucent Braces are very similar to traditional metal braces. Instead of a metal bracket they use a translucent (clear) bracket for a more esthetically pleasing look. The brackets are cemented to each tooth and are joined by a metal wire. Translucent brackets allow for a more aesthetically appealing look while maintaining the treatment capabilities of traditional metal braces. Translucent braces are more susceptible to breakage and therefore must be well taken care of. It is also necessary to avoid excessively hard foods.
Harmony Lingual (Inside or Hidden) Braces
Hidden braces are very similar to traditional braces, however, they are applied to the backside of the teeth, rather than the front. They are hidden from view so they are an aesthetically pleasing treatment choice. The drawback of Lingual braces is that they are often an expensive treatment choice. They are not for everyone since they can be difficult to get used to because they can impair speech and get in the way or cause damage to the tongue.
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are coverings worn over teeth, they are used to protect your teeth, lip and tissues from injury during contact sports, extreme activities or any activity that may cause injury. Mouthguards limit the risk of personal injury during physical activity. Generally mouthguards are designed to be worn on the upper teeth only, however if you have braces or other dental appliances on your lower jaw your dentist may make a mouth guard for the lower teeth as well.
At King Street Orthodontics we offer custom-fit mouth guards they are individually designed and made in our office. Our assistants will take an impression of your teeth and make a model from it. The mouthguard is then molded over the model with special material. Custom-fit mouthguards provide the most comfort and protection when compared to store-bought imitations. Custom mouthguards offer a number of advantages including a perfect fit, stronger material and the ability to fit over braces or other dental appliances. An effective mouthguard should be comfortable to wear and should not restrict your breathing or speech.
Maintenance
Caring for your mouthguard is easy, simply follow these steps outlined below.
- Rinse your mouthguard with water after each use or clean it with toothpaste and a toothbrush.
- Occasionally deep-clean your mouthguard. Let it sit in warm soapy water and make sure to wash and rinse it thoroughly before use.
- Store your mouthguard in the container it came in. These containers have perforated holes to ensure air circulation and will protect your mouthguards from unwarranted damage.
- Avoid distorting the mouthguard’s shape. Avoid hot water, hot surfaces or direct sunlight.
- Check your mouthguard for wear regularly. If it has holes, tears or is loose-fitting it is likely time to replace your guard.
- Bring your mouthguard to your regularly scheduled cleanings and orthodontic appointments, this will allow your dentist and orthodontist to examine the guard and ensure it will continue to perform as desired.
Digital X-Rays
We offer one of the latest technological advances in dentistry with digital radiography (X-rays). A sensor is placed in the mouth, and a computer generates an image in 30 seconds as opposed to the general 4-6 minute wait time for images taken on dental film. These X-rays are viewed on the computer screen and can also be enhanced and enlarged.
Not only are they friendly to the environment because they don’t require chemicals to process them, they are much safer than traditional X-rays. Digital radiographs reduce radiation exposure by up to 90 percent!