Orthodontics in Aurora: Straightening Teeth for Health and Function

Orthodontic treatment addresses misaligned teeth and bite issues that can affect oral health, function, and daily comfort. Whether you're considering treatment for yourself or a family member, understanding your options helps you make informed decisions about orthodontic care.

At ABN Family Dental, we provide Invisalign® clear aligners for teens and adults. This guide explains what orthodontics involves and how treatment can benefit your oral health.

Why Orthodontic Treatment Matters

Properly aligned teeth do more than contribute to appearance. They play an important role in oral health and function:

Improved Oral Hygiene

Crowded or overlapping teeth create areas that are difficult to clean with regular brushing and flossing. These hard-to-reach spaces can harbour bacteria, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. Properly aligned teeth are easier to keep clean.

Better Bite Function

Misaligned teeth can cause uneven wear, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing. When your bite is properly aligned, pressure is distributed evenly across all teeth, reducing strain on individual teeth and jaw joints.

Speech and Breathing

Severe orthodontic issues can affect speech clarity and breathing patterns. Treatment may help address these functional concerns.

Reduced Risk of Injury

Protruding front teeth are more vulnerable to trauma during sports or accidents. Orthodontic treatment can help reduce this risk.

Common Orthodontic Issues

Orthodontic treatment addresses various alignment problems:

Crowding: Teeth overlap or twist due to insufficient space in the jaw. This makes cleaning difficult and can contribute to decay and gum problems.

Spacing: Gaps between teeth can trap food particles and affect bite stability.

Overbite: Upper front teeth extend significantly over lower teeth, potentially causing wear and jaw discomfort.

Underbite: Lower teeth extend beyond upper teeth, which can affect chewing and cause uneven tooth wear.

Crossbite: Upper teeth fit inside lower teeth when biting, potentially leading to uneven jaw growth or tooth wear.

Open Bite: Upper and lower front teeth don't meet when biting, which can affect chewing and speech.

Orthodontic Treatment Options

Doctor installing clear aligners on plastic lower human jaw model to show simple and effective device in stomatology clinic specialist performing teeth improvement

Traditional Braces

Metal braces use brackets attached to teeth and connected by wires. The orthodontist adjusts the wires periodically to gradually move teeth into proper position. While highly effective, traditional braces are visible and require dietary modifications.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign)

Clear aligners are removable plastic trays custom-made to fit your teeth. You wear each set of aligners for about two weeks before moving to the next set in the series. Each aligner gradually shifts your teeth toward the desired position.

Benefits of clear aligners include:

• Nearly invisible appearance
• Removable for eating and cleaning
• No dietary restrictions
• Fewer office visits for adjustments
• Comfortable plastic material

Clear aligners work well for many orthodontic issues, though complex cases may require traditional braces or other approaches.

Invisalign for Teens

Teenagers often prefer clear aligners because they're less noticeable than traditional braces. Invisalign Teen includes special features designed for adolescent patients:

Compliance Indicators: Blue dots on the aligners fade with wear, helping monitor whether teens are wearing their aligners as directed.

Eruption Tabs: Accommodate teeth that are still growing in, making treatment possible even if all adult teeth haven't fully emerged.

For successful treatment, teens must commit to wearing aligners at least 22 hours daily and maintaining good oral hygiene.

The Treatment Process

Initial Consultation

During your first visit to ABN Family Dental, Dr. Savitsky will examine your teeth and bite, discuss your concerns, and determine if orthodontic treatment is appropriate. This may include digital scans or X-rays to assess tooth position and jaw alignment.

Treatment Planning

If you proceed with clear aligner treatment, we'll create a digital treatment plan showing how your teeth will move throughout the process. You'll see the anticipated timeline and final result before beginning treatment.

Active Treatment

You'll receive your first sets of aligners with instructions for wear and care. Regular checkup appointments allow us to monitor progress and provide your next sets of aligners.

Treatment duration varies based on the complexity of your case, typically ranging from several months to two years.

Retention

After active treatment, you'll need to wear a retainer to maintain your results. Teeth naturally tend to shift over time, and retainers help keep them in their new positions.

Caring for Your Orthodontic Appliances

Proper care ensures treatment progresses as planned:

• Brush teeth after every meal before reinserting aligners
• Clean aligners daily with lukewarm water
• Remove aligners when eating or drinking anything except water
• Store aligners in their case when not wearing them
• Attend all scheduled appointments
• Follow your dentist's specific care instructions

Is Orthodontic Treatment Right for You?

Most people with alignment issues can benefit from orthodontic treatment. During your consultation at ABN Family Dental, we'll evaluate your specific situation and discuss whether treatment is appropriate.

Factors we consider include:

• Severity of misalignment
• Overall oral health
• Age and jaw development
• Treatment goals and expectations
• Lifestyle considerations

Schedule Your Consultation

If you're interested in learning more about orthodontic treatment options, the team at ABN Family Dental can help you understand what's possible for your situation.

We're committed to providing comprehensive dental care to Aurora families, including orthodontic solutions that support long-term oral health. Let’s talk.