Orthodontics in Waterloo
Demand for orthodontic treatment amongst children, teens, and adults continues to rise. It’s one of the most popular dental treatments available and it delivers some of the most dramatic changes to your smile, your facial appearance, and your confidence … and therefore, and this is no exaggeration … your life.
Studies have also shown that when children are teased about their teeth, it makes them awkward, even scared, during social interactions. The same study showed that children with an increased overbite or spaces between their front teeth have more significant social and emotional issues than children with well-aligned teeth.
Why do some people have crooked teeth? There are a few reasons…
- Genetics – Just like you can’t choose your hair color or eye color, you can’t predetermine you tooth color, size, shape, nor alignment. Often children will inherit one parent’s larger-sized teeth with another parent’s smaller jaw, resulting in a crowded smile. When you reverse this scenario – small teeth in a wider jaw – it results in a spaced-out smile.
- Myofunctional Habits – These are associated with muscles of the mouth, like those involved with thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, & reverse swallowing. These habits may cause under-development of the jaw.
- Mouth Breathing – When nose-breathing is restricted or blocked, either temporarily or long-term, people become “mouth breathers.” It contributes to incorrect jaw development, crooked teeth, facial deformities, and poor growth.
- Nail Biting – Believe it or not, your fingernails are really tough and put up a lot of resistance when you bite them. It can cause teeth to move inward or twist. Gaps may become wider.
- Missing Teeth – Teeth act as placeholders for each other. When one is lost, the neighboring teeth shift to fill the space left behind.
Three top reasons people consider orthodontics:
- Improve smile esthetics and overall face appearance
- Correct the way the upper and lower teeth meet when speaking or chewing
- Eliminate malocclusions (bad bites) that could cause teeth to chip or crack.
What is the best age to start orthodontic treatment?
While every smile is different and every family presents a different situation, there are some general guidelines that we go by when determining when a child is ready for orthodontic treatment. It’s based on age, attitude, case complexity, self-esteem, and more.
We recommend that your child should come into our practice for their first orthodontic dentition evaluation around age seven. We’ll assess growth, estimate future growth, and take x-rays to determine permanent teeth placement. We’ll do a “bite test” to see how their jaws fit together now and project how this may change as they grow. We’ll also discuss home care as with orthodontics it’s even more critical that teeth and braces are kept clean with increased attention and dedication.
Your child’s early evaluation will allow us to catch any serious issues like malocclusion (the way teeth on the upper mandible fit together with teeth in the lower jaw), a crossbite (when some of the upper teeth are inside the lower teeth instead of all on the outside), a narrow jaw (upper crowded front teeth and/or the side and back teeth biting inside of the lower teeth), or protruding teeth (teeth that are aligned much further outwards than those in the other tooth arch– usually the upper arch).
To ensure your child doesn’t outgrow any corrections, we don’t begin treatment until about age 10 to 14 or later, depending on the treatment plan. But every child is different. We could start earlier or later. But before we determine the “start date,” we’ll discuss options, reasons, and our thoughts so that together, we can make the treatment decision that is perfect for you and your child.
Regular braces or Invisalign?
At Iris Dentistry, we offer regular braces and Invisalign. There is no one choice for everybody, so call us today. We’ll complete an assessment and present all of your options to you. Together we’ll choose the best way to make your smile dreams come true! Call now (519) 886-8980 or request an appointment!
What is so different between Invisalign and regular braces?
Both methods work by applying pressure to the teeth to push or move them into the desired position.
However, there are key aspects that differentiate them, such as:
• Efficiency: both systems can deliver excellent results and align your teeth.
Due to the many brackets alternatives and designs, regular braces work perfectly in every situation. Regular braces can treat more complex cases.
Invisalign’s design makes them suitable to perform simple to moderate teeth movements.
However, technological advancements have allowed modifying Invisalign. This lets the dentist add attachments to them, so they can perform more advanced movements, which increases the range of cases where Invisalign is used.
• Aesthetics
Regular braces are often metallic and stand out when you smile or speak, often giving you an undesired look. Although ceramic braces are more discrete due to their tooth-like color, they still stand out.
Invisalign possesses superior aesthetics by being clear and almost invisible. As a result, they become the best option if you are concerned about your looks through the treatment.
• Comfort
Both systems move your teeth which can be painful.
However, the lack of sharp edges and angles on the Invisalign trays prevents any cut and harm to your inside cheeks and lips that often happen with braces.
• Eating and cleaning
Regular braces are permanently bonded to your teeth, which means you need to eat with them. This can make it troublesome to eat certain types of foods.
Moreover, brushing your teeth and flossing requires extra attention to clean them properly and prevent tartar build-ups and cavities.
You can remove Invisalign to eat and drink, so there is no food restrictions. Furthermore, it allows you to brush and floss as you always have.
Invisalign trays are designed to fit tightly, so it is essential to thoroughly remove every food residue left behind on your teeth before putting them back on.
Both alternatives are excellent options. Dr. Iris will help you decide which one would suit you better. Let’s make your smile dreams come true! Call now (519) 886-8980 or request an appointment!