Your Diamond Invisalign® Provider
Are you interested in changing your smile with a personalized approach? Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, and if you are considering correcting your smile, you’ll want to navigate all of your available options.
Misaligned teeth can affect your confidence and smile, but orthodontic issues go far beyond aesthetics. For adults, aesthetics is usually the deciding factor when considering orthodontic treatment. But for children, it is recommended by the Canadian Association of Orthodontics to have an orthodontic evaluation performed no later than age seven. Early orthodontic treatment may eliminate the need for other complex dental treatments in the future.
It can be a challenge to decide what type of treatment is best suited for your specific orthodontic needs, so it is essential to discuss all possible methods available in detail with your dental professional. There are several orthodontic treatment options to choose from, including traditional braces, removable appliances, retainers, and Invisalign clear braces.
Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Patients of all ages can benefit from orthodontic treatment. It not only can improve the overall aesthetic of your smile but your overall health as well. Your dentist will perform an evaluation and consider your complete dental history before suggesting possible treatment methods or referring you to an orthodontist for treatment. Trained orthodontists have extensive education and knowledge about the bite, jaws, teeth, and facial structure, and they also specialize in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of orthodontic dental issues
Types of Orthodontic Treatment
Depending on your orthodontic needs, there are several treatment options available. Below, we’ll break down five popular treatment methods.
Traditional braces
Traditional metal braces are the most common type of treatment used by orthodontists. The braces are made from high-grade stainless steel and titanium and help straighten the teeth with metal brackets and archwires. The pressure applied to each tooth will gradually move the teeth during treatment. Braces are suitable for minor and complex orthodontic conditions, including misalignment issues, underbites, overbites, open bites, and crossbites.
Ceramic braces
Ceramic braces are less visible on the teeth compared to traditional metal braces. With that said, even though ceramic braces are more discreet, they are not one hundred percent trans-parent. Instead, ceramic braces are customized in a shade that will appropriately match your teeth.
Lingual braces
Lingual braces are installed behind the teeth. Besides being discreet, they are customized to match the shape of your teeth and are placed within the inner portion of the teeth to assist with
jaw, tooth, and bite correction.
Invisalign clear braces
Invisalign clear braces are a very popular orthodontic treatment option. Made from medical-grade, clear plastic, the custom-made aligner trays shift your teeth into proper alignment. De-pending on the severity of your orthodontic condition, Invisalign clear braces are changed every two weeks to the next set in the series. But even with the advantage of this treatment method being discreet and removable, patient compliance is essential for treatment success. Patients will be required to wear Invisalign clear braces for at least 22 hours each day, only removing the aligners to eat or drink anything other than water.
Retainers
A fixed or removable retainer will mold to the shape of your bite. A fixed retainer is a custom-fitted wire bonded to the inside of your teeth to keep the teeth in place while the bone tissue rebuilds around them. A removable retainer is similar to Invisalign clear braces, as it is removable and worn for the daily wear time recommended by your orthodontist.
Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment
There are many benefits associated with orthodontic treatment. For instance, red swollen gums can be a result of crowded or gapped teeth. Proper tooth alignment can help your gums fit around your teeth better and reduces the risk of developing gum disease. Additionally, misaligned teeth are likely to gather food build-up, even with regular brushing and flossing. Trapped food particles can lead to more plaque, which can eventually lead to tooth decay. Malocclusion, more commonly known as bad bite, can also create discomfort and challenges with chewing and speaking.
It’s also worth noting the psychological benefits associated with orthodontic treatment. Patients who are unsatisfied with their smile and often find themselves hiding their teeth will likely benefit from a boost of self-esteem and heightened confidence. Taking the necessary steps to correct your smile can change how you live your day-to-day life.
The Cost of Treatment
There are multiple factors to consider when deciding if orthodontic treatment fits into your budget. Some factors include how much work needs to be completed, any coverage that your insurance plan provides, the location and average price of treatment in your area, and the amount of time and work required of the orthodontist. The average cost of orthodontic treatment in Canada ranges from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the patient’s specific orthodontic needs.
A few suggestions are to budget and plan, ask about payment plans or financing options that the practice offers, check your insurance coverage, and most importantly, follow all post-treat-ment protocols to ensure that your investment does not go to waste.