Genetics and childhood habits can impact the development of teeth. Prolonged habits such as sucking on a thumb or pacifier and baby bottle feeding can cause teeth to become pushed out or crooked. The early or late loss of baby teeth can also lead to crooked teeth. Since crooked teeth give bacteria additional spaces, an early treatment is required to prevent cavities, gum diseases and jawbone problems.
There is no age limit for an orthodontic treatment. Many adults are choosing to receive orthodontic treatment to feel better about their appearance.
Traditional Fixed Braces
Traditional braces, made from high-grade stainless steel or ceramic are the most common braces. Metal brackets ( in combination with arch wires) are attached to the teeth. They serve as guides to move the teeth and hold the wires. Ceramic braces are often favoured by adult orthodontic patients because the are less noticeable than metal alternatives. Arch wires are the metal wires that conform to the patient’s dental arch and are held in place by the brackets affixed to each tooth. It’s the arch wire that puts most of the pressure on your teeth and shifts the teeth into their proper positions. You cannot remove a fixed brace, since they are glued to the front of each tooth and linked with wires.
Clear Aligners (Invisalign)
Some of our patients prefer clear aligners such as Invisalign for aesthetic reasons to improve their appearance and smile. You should remove your Invisalign aligners only for eating and brushing. For Invisalign to be effective, you need to wear them constantly, therefore the treatment success also largely depends on the patient’s compliance. Every 1 – 2 weeks you will need to change to a new tray. Each set of aligners will help shift the teeth into their correct position.
Invisalign takes longer than traditional braces to be effective. The length of treatment depends on the complexity of the case.