Orthodontics

Broad, beautiful smiles for adults and children!

Braces aren’t just for kids anymore. Orthodontic treatment at any age can dramatically improve personal appearance and self-esteem. At Today’s Family Dentistry, we offer a variety of orthodontic treatments that are designed for different age groups and lifestyles.

Improving the health of your teeth and gums is equally important. Crooked teeth and bad bites can contribute to gum and bone loss, tooth decay, abnormal wear of the tooth enamel surfaces, headaches and jaw joint (TMJ/TMD) pain. The new techniques and appliances we use, greatly reduce discomfort levels, decrease the frequency of visits, and shorten treatment time. Your options may include metal braces, ceramic braces or invisible aligners (Invisalign ®) that can improve mild to severe cases of misaligned teeth.

During the initial examination, we will be able to determine the best possible treatment for your individual needs. During this initial examination, we can outline the treatment plan, time of treatment expected and the approximate cost. It’s never too late to improve your greatest asset – your smile!

When is the best time to begin orthodontics?

Though we can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time period to begin treatment to ensure the greatest result and the least amount of time and expense. We recommend that every child should undergo an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. In some cases, this could be as young as 2 or 3. Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if detected early rather than waiting until jaw growth has slowed. Early treatment may mean your child will avoid surgery or other more serious corrections later in life.

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, which can prevent serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, we 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, we 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 that your child can have the gift of a broad, beautiful and healthy 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
• Guiding permanent teeth into a more favourable position
• Reducing the need for tooth removal
• Reducing treatment time with braces
• Correcting harmful oral habits
• Improving appearance and self-esteem
• Improving the way lips meet

We love working with children because dentistry for younger patients is quite different from adult dentistry. Young teeth, jawbones and facial characteristics are in a state of flux and it’s important to guide facial growth as children move through their developmental years. Call us today to book a FREE orthodontic consultation for your children or yourself.