Misaligned teeth is the most common cause for needing orthodontic braces. The technical term malocclusion is classified as the difference between the maxilla (upper jaw) and the (mandible) lower jaw not aligning properly. A person with a correct bite has the points of the molars fitting the grooves of the opposite molars. The layman’s term for malocclusion is crooked teeth or a bad bite.
Malocclusion is divided into 3 main categories:
The most common signs of malocclusion are the following:
Forms of malocclusion include cleft palates and a non-symmetrical facial bone structure. Crooked or misaligned teeth commonly occur from accidents, playing full contact sports or the local bar fight that inevitably arise at places where people imbibe alcohol in excess. Any form of malocclusion should be treated immediately before it leads to more serious conditions.
Tooth decay, gum disease and the loss of individual teeth is a foregone conclusion for people who don’t get treated. A missing tooth can put extra pressure on the remaining teeth causing them to shift position in a persons mouth. Bone and gum tissue are also placed under unnecessary stress leading to jaw bone problems later on in life. Hygiene is a major issue for people with missing teeth.
This is an easy one, smoking has been proven to increase the risk of gum disease. Smoking compromises the immune system and contributes to gum disease which can lead to needing orthodontic braces.
Periodontal disease is further complicated by people suffering from diabetes. Many studies have been conducted showing that diabetic patients are twice as likely as non diabetic subjects to suffer from oral health issues. Check out “The Relationship Between Diabetes and Periodontal Disease” for more info on why people with diabetes are more prone to dental problems.
Depending on what your dental problem is there are numerous options in the medical marketplace to fit every budget and treatment procedure. People can benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age. Straight teeth are easy to clean and aesthetically people often prefer a perfectly aligned smile. Being fitted with braces by an accredited dental professional puts gentle pressure on your teeth allowing them to shift into proper position. Depending on the severity of your malocclusion treatment time will vary from person to person. A qualified dentist will best be able to make a recommendation for the correct orthodontic appliance based on the individual.
To ensure that your orthodontic treatment is successful you must adhere to the instructions from your dentist. If your orthodontic appliance should be worn 24 hours per day this guideline should be strictly followed to prevent relapsing of the teeth back to their former positions.
The most popular dental appliance used for correcting teeth misalignments. Modern versions of metal braces are less conspicuous than earlier models. Today’s metal braces have heat activated archwires that use your body’s heat to realign the teeth quicker than in the past. The cost of braces is determined by 3 factors:
1) Amount of tooth movement required
2) Estimated treatment time, and
3) Materials and training of the practitioner.
As always, you typically get what you pay for. Full metal braces can range from $5000 to even 3-4x that amount for the most severe cases.
Another great option for people who don’t like the look of metal braces. Ceramic braces are similar to metal braces except for the ceramic material they are made from and their higher cost. Expect to pay a minimum of $6000-7000 as increased friction results in longer treatment times associated with ceramic braces.
These fashionable braces are all the rage in Asia. DIY kits can be found at flea markets and ordered online. Fashionable braces are approximately $100. Not recommended by dentists or orthodontists. Wearers of these braces put their teeth at risk for misalignment. Fashion braces are not recommended by dental care professionals.
Worn after regular orthodontic treatment is finished and the braces are removed. The primary purpose of retainers is to maintain the alignment of the teeth. Gaps between the teeth require a longer retention period. Retainers can be fixed or removable dental appliances. Removable retainers range in cost from $150 - $300. Non-removable bonded retainers that are glued to the back of the teeth cost $500 - $1000 for both upper and lower teeth. Offer times the cost of the initial retainers are included in the total treatment cost of orthodontics.
A good choice for people who don’t like the traditional appearance of metal braces. Lingual braces are placed behind the teeth, expect to pay double the cost of traditional buccal (front side) braces. The price point is higher because lingual braces must be custom made for the individual.
This is great for individuals who have mild malocclusions or who have had braces in the past and their teeth have relapsed. Dentists take a 3D digital image of your teeth before fabricating the aligners. Your dentist will than show you a digital representation of how your teeth will adjust through each stage of your dental progression. Treatment time varies from 1 year and up depending on the severity of the malocclusion.
One of the companies that provides this treatment is Invisalign. These clear custom aligners are changed every 2 weeks and are supposed to be worn up to 22 hours per day. Invisalign cannot be used for all orthodontic tooth movements but is a great option for people who don’t like the look or feel of metal braces. Invisalign costs can be up to twice as much for traditional orthodontics. But you’re paying for an option that is nearly transparent and quite effective. So the costs of Invisalign can be justified there. Consulting with a dentist who is familiar with all types of orthodontic options, is the best way to find out what is right for you.
Offsetting the cost of braces is best done if you have a good dental plan. Keep in mind depending on your income level your dental clinic may have pre-existing payment plans for ongoing treatments. We, at Peace Arch Dental Centre offer payment plans for all procedures including braces.
Dr. Layton completed a two year post graduate training program in Orthodontics through Progressive Orthodontics and offer all types of orthodontic options. For more information about customizable braces. Visit http://individualortho.com/. We look forward to seeing you!
Set up a complimentary appointment with us at Peace Arch Dental Centre in South Surrey/White Rock today!
The first teeth cleaners date back 3500-3000 BC. The Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to have created ancient oral brushes by fraying the tips of twigs. The next civilization on the list to have made early toothbrushes were the Chinese in 1600 BC., the chinese used aromatic chewing sticks. The handles were reported to have been made from ivory and oxen bone and the bristles were made from horse or hog hair. Europe was late when it came to jumping on the oral hygiene bandwagon. The 17th century is when the toothbrush made its official appearance but it wouldn’t be until the later half of the century when it became popular in North America.
Today toothbrushes with plastic handles are mass produced and can be purchased inexpensively, it doesn’t mean that people brush their teeth regularly or correctly. Many people take for granted the daily cleaning of their teeth and end up paying the price. The Canadian Dental Association reported that 80% of Canadians will be affected by gum disease at some point in their life. Daily oral maintenance only takes a few minutes each day. Doesn’t it make sense to invest in your health?
Bad brushing techniques include not brushing your teeth long enough. The majority of dental professionals recommend brushing for at least 2 mins. The second mistake most people make is selecting the wrong size toothbrush for their mouths.
A clean toothbrush goes a long way to ensuring dental hygiene. Most dental professionals recommend purchasing an ultra-soft bristled brush for optimal removal of plaque and food particles. Small headed toothbrushes are preferable to larger toothbrush heads for reaching those hard to reach places. Deciding what is the best size depends on you entirely.
Electric toothbrushes made by manufacturers like Oral-B and Phillips are purported to deliver better cleaning than manual brushing. A professional powerbrush works by precision cleaning each tooth. A manual toothbrush doesn’t have a vibrating head that pulsates to remove plaque from teeth. The head of an electric toothbrush eliminates additional particles by oscillating and rotating plaque away from the tooth. The more oscillations and pulsations per cycle, the more pricier the electric toothbrush.
Investing in a good quality toothbrush is like having a dentist in your bathroom available any time of the day. Electric toothbrushes are available in battery or rechargeable versions. The New Oral-B Bluetooth electric toothbrush communicates with a smartphone app. As a patient you have the option of having your dentist program your toothbrush to deliver the best teeth cleaning experience specifically for you.
Flossing should be incorporated into your daily dental care routine. Your toothbrush can’t clean 100 percent of your mouth effectively. Flossing prevents excess plaque from turning into gingivitis a form of gum disease. If you are unsure about how to properly floss consult your dental care professional for assistance.
Flossing may be uncomfortable for the newbie but don’t quit, ask your dental professional for a proper demonstration if you are unsure about your technique.
Brushing your teeth hard can be detrimental to the enamel on your teeth. Eroding the top layer of your teeth leaves them vulnerable to cavities and tooth erosion. The enamel protects the dentin underneath. Dentin connects to the the tooth’s nerve center and this is where sensitive teeth syndrome comes into play. People with sensitive teeth experience nerve irritation that may be exacerbated by brushing too hard.
For the techies the New Oral-B Bluetooth toothbrush communicates with an app on your smartphone telling you if you’re brushing too hard.
Most people learned to brush their teeth during early childhood, but are you brushing them correctly? The default brushing motion most people employ is the horizontal side to side technique. Trying to break a bad habit that has been deeply inculcated from childhood is no simple feat. Brushing from side to side has been found to erode the enamel 2 to 3 times faster than the up and down correct motion. The best method of brushing the teeth is a gentle circular motion. The circular method is extremely effective in combating gum disease like gingival recession. Gentle brushing of the gum tissue is also recommended for the maintenance of healthy gums.
The majority of bad breath and halitosis cases have been linked to the residue left on the tongue. A combination of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are the prime culprits of halitosis. Tongue cleaning and tongue scraping play a major role in oral hygiene and halitosis prevention.
People that wake up in the morning with that white film on the tongue will benefit immediately from the purchase of a tongue scraper. If you don’t want to invest in a tongue scraper than simply using your toothbrush is equally effective. You can clean your tongue before or after you brush your teeth. Here are some simple cleaning instructions:
After you have finished brushing or scraping, your tongue should have a healthy pink appearance.
Toothpastes are made from pastes, gels and powders. The purpose of toothpaste is to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gum tissue. The double circular motion combined with the right toothpaste is effective in preventing gum disease and tooth decay. Fluoride is a common ingredient added to many toothpaste brands.
Toothpaste ingredients:
The average consumer walking down the aisle of a grocery store gets inundated by dozens of different brands. Patients who have regular dental checkups may not require specialty toothpaste brands. Oral-B is one such company who manufactures the Oral-B Pro-Expert toothpaste that was made to address the above dental issues. .
The American Dental Association (ADA) advocates replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. People who own electric toothbrushes should also replace their toothbrush heads on a regular basis. For the absent minded Oral-B brushes contain a blue indicator that fades when its necessary to replace.
Just remember washing the head of your toothbrush is not enough, the bristles contain bacteria from the mouth that contribute to gum disease. A clean brush is optimum for oral health.
So there you have it 7 simple and effective methods to overcome bad brushing habits. It only takes a few minutes per day and a couple of visits per year to a dentist to avoid periodontal disease.
Dr. Michael Layton (DDS) is the dentist for Peace Arch Dental, a dental office in the South Surrey/White Rock, B.C. area. He has been in the dental industry for the last decade and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington. He takes pride in providing positive and caring dental solutions for people of every walk of life. You can follow him on Google+.
