RELIABLE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IN STITTSVILLE
At Red Barn Dental, we are experienced orthodontists offering a range of solutions to people in Stittsville and beyond. Our aim is to help you achieve a bright, confident smile with our advanced orthodontic care that we deliver in a warm setting. Our solutions are available for adults, families, and children as we believe that everyone deserves a beautiful smile. Rely on us for all your needs, from orthodontic surgeries to treatment for braces to teeth alignment and more. We always do our best to make you feel comfortable, welcome, and relaxed from the moment you enter our practice.
Here’s how our orthodontic solutions help you:
ORTHODONTICS
EARLY PREVENTATIVE ORTHODONTICS
Did you know that when it comes to orthodontic treatment, starting early is always a good idea? As per the American Association of Orthodontists, kids must have their initial orthodontic screening by the age of 7. However, it's important to understand that every early evaluation doesn’t necessarily require early treatment. In most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, orthodontists simply monitor the child's growth patterns until they see that it's time to begin the treatment. This helps us get the best results and also prevents many problems in the future, such as:
Severe crossbite
This is a condition where the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth. To treat this, a device named a palatal expander is used, which slowly and painlessly widens the upper jaw. Here, early treatment proves to be especially effective because the jaw hasn't fully developed yet.
Severe crowding
This problem happens when a person’s jaw is too small to accommodate all of the permanent teeth. Here, the treatment is done using the palatal expansion or tooth extraction process, which helps the adult teeth erupt properly.
Protruding teeth
With protruding teeth, it is common to see chipping and fractures, which often lead to problems with one’s self-image. Here, orthodontic appliances like braces and headgear are used to correct them. It is recommended to start early when the child's teeth are just developing to increase the chances of avoiding surgery in the future.
SOLVING CROSS BITES EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER
Malocclusion is a misalignment of teeth that causes several bite problems. For people suffering from cross bites, the problem may have a deeper impact on their life than we think. It affects the structural look on their face and even impacts regular teeth functions. Many patients develop crossbites due to bad childhood behaviours, such as sucking their thumb, which took too long to let go of.
Starting treatment at an early age can prove to be very effective in such cases since the child’s jaw has not fully developed yet, and hence it is easier to correct the alignment. Depending on the patient's condition, the treatment may include traditional appliances, retainers, or Invisalign.
BRACES
There are two types of orthodontic appliances available today - fixed appliances such as braces and removable appliances such as clear aligners. Clear aligners prove to be effective in treating mild to moderate orthodontic conditions, while fixed appliances are generally used in more comprehensive treatment. For the majority of orthodontic patients, wearing braces is an important part of their treatment. Braces are attached to the teeth through metal bands or special cement. They come in the following types:
Metal braces
Traditional metal braces consist of high-grade metal bands that wrap around the molars in the back, and smaller metal brackets cemented to the front surfaces of the other teeth. A thin, springy metal wire runs through these brackets, gently guiding the teeth into a proper position. Despite being a traditional solution, metal braces still remain popular, thanks to them being a reliable, effective and economical treatment option. In fact, if you see today, braces are actually smaller, weigh less, and are quite comfortable to wear.
Ceramic braces
Unlike metal braces, clear ceramic braces are a modern solution and a far less noticeable method of treatment. They have all the components of traditional braces. However, the distinction comes from the brackets on the front side of the teeth which are made of a translucent ceramic material and easily blend in with the teeth's natural colour. You will find many variations of ceramic braces in the market today. As for durability, ceramic braces are far less durable than their metal counterparts. They are also a costlier alternative to traditional metal braces. Still, with all the benefits they offer, many patients prefer ceramic braces over the other.
PALATAL EXPANDERS
A palatal expander is a device designed to treat or prevent malocclusions or bad bites. It creates more space in a child's mouth by gradually widening the upper jaw. Early treatment is very effective here because the upper jaw develops as two different halves that don't completely fuse together until sometime after puberty. Since the child’s treatment has started early, the two bones can gently be separated and stabilized during the period of several months.
An expander is custom-made for each individual and is worn for about 3 to 6 months. There are several benefits of expanding the upper jaw such as:
- It broadens the smile in an aesthetically pleasing way.
- It limits the number of teeth that need to be removed to create space.
- It helps improve breathing.
- It helps shorten the overall orthodontic treatment time.
SURGICAL ORTHODONTICS
Nowadays, more and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatments. With solutions such as Invisalign, people now have more discreet choices and a more convenient way to get a smile makeover. It is important to note that orthodontic treatment for adults is different in two ways: firstly, it is hard to make changes in the actual jaw structure of an adult, and hence orthodontic appliances prove to be less effective. Secondly, gum diseases are more prevalent in adults. Since periodontal health plays a key role in successful orthodontic treatment, any gum disease must be brought under control before it begins.
There are three prevalent orthodontic appliances - traditional metal braces, clear braces, and clear aligners. After the treatment, one is made to a retainer regardless of their age or appliance type. A good orthodontist offers complete guidance regarding aftercare.
