Misaligned, overlapping or protruding teeth can impair proper chewing and affect the appearance of your smile. Orthodontic treatments can help realign teeth to improve their look and function. To bring your teeth into alignment, your dentist will custom-build a fixed or removable appliance that will apply gentle pressure on the teeth for a period of months or a few years. Orthodontic treatment is not reserved exclusively for adolescents since the position of teeth can be modified at any age. We’ll examine your teeth and determine which treatment is best for you.

Transparent orthodontic aligners

Need an orthodontic treatment but don’t want to wear braces? Transparent aligners are the solution for you! These custom-built translucent aligners are practically invisible. They’re also removable, meaning you can take them out when you eat and brush your teeth. Like traditional braces, they help realign teeth or correct gaps. During maintenance visits, your dentist will provide you with aligners to replace every week or two weeks. The duration of treatment varies from a few months to two or three years depending on malocclusion complexity.

Space maintainers

Space maintainers are often recommended when a child loses a baby tooth prematurely or has had a severely decayed baby tooth removed. They’re used to maintain enough space open for the permanent tooth to grow in by keeping adjacent teeth from closing in on this gap. Without this device, the adult tooth may not have enough room to erupt and replace the baby tooth. The tooth can emerge crooked and increase the risk of needing more complex orthodontic treatment later on.

Palate expanders

Palate expanders are used to expand the palate and the upper dental arch when these structures are not wide enough to fit with the lower jaw. Expanding the palate also improves breathing and facial development. This procedure is mainly recommended for growing children and is usually done in preparation for more complex orthodontic treatment.

Temporomandibular joint disorders, Malocclusion, Rehabilitation

Situated between the lower jaw and the temporal bone (in front of the ear), the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is subject to constant wear. Several jaw muscles are attached to the TMJ. This joint allows us to execute movements necessary for chewing, speech as well as many other movements we perform every day.

There are many types of TMJ disorders that can affect oral health as well as your overall state of health. Therefore, the symptoms also vary, ranging from teeth grinding to premature wearing of teeth, headaches, neck pain, ear pain or jaw pain associated with difficulty fully opening the mouth. Luckily, several types of treatment are available including equilibration of the teeth and occlusal appliance therapy. Discuss this issue with your dental health professional during your next appointment.

Dentofacial orthopedics

Dentofacial orthopedics is used to address skeletal, dento-alveolar and muscular problems in children before their permanent teeth fully erupt. The treatments create space and improve functions such as chewing, speaking, breathing and swallowing. These procedures don’t fix tooth alignment, but rather correct imbalances of the face and jaw to make sure there’s enough space for adult teeth.