As people grow and develop, chances are their teeth will need at least a little bit of work to keep them straight and spaced evenly. It is common for teeth to come in crooked, or to be overcrowded. Many people have overbites or underbites, and some may have problems with misaligned jaws or joint issues. Then there are people who have a combination of several of these conditions affecting them negatively.

Any of these things can cause further issues. They may range from tooth pain to earaches and headaches, and may be a source of complications with biting, chewing, and cleaning your teeth properly. If the teeth are difficult to clean, it will often lead to decay, cavities, and even gum disease.

To prevent a whole laundry list of troubles from developing, and to keep any of them from worsening, an orthodontist will likely recommend braces. While dental experts throughout Ottawa may agree that the best age for a patient to have braces put on is ages 10 and 14, they can be beneficial in correcting tooth and jaw problems in adults and all ages in between.

It is best to apply the braces at a young age, since they are still growing and this will help them to come in as they should, rather than waiting until they are already set in the wrong place. Still, adults can definitely be helped by wearing braces. The end result is not only a more attractive smile, but also a healthier mouth as well.

There are different types of braces, and your dentist or orthodontist will be able to help you determinewhat kind would most benefit you. Braces styles include:

  • Classic braces: Metal, plastic, or ceramic brackets are attached to the front of the teeth. While metal brackets are more common, the ceramic brackets are less noticeable, as they are usually similar in color to your teeth. Wires are connected to the brackets to help move the teeth to where they belong.
  • Lingual braces: Brackets are attached to the back of the teeth, where they cannot be seen most of the time. Like with classic braces, wires are used to correct the teeth’s positioning.
  • Aligners: These are appliances that can be removed and cleaned, so that you can keep your teeth clean more easily. Each aligner is clear, and they will be replaced every couple of weeks, as the teeth shift and move. Only adults can wear this type of braces.

The length of time that you will need to wear braces depends on how bad your alignment, spacing orbite is, your age, and many other factors. Typically the minimal time with braces will be a year, with two years being about the longest that one will wear them.

When your Ottawa orthodontist feels you are ready to move on from braces, you will be fitted for retainers, which will help keep your teeth in the proper place. You may need to wear the retainers all day, or only at night, and the length of time they will be necessary, again, varies due to your personal situation.

Thinking about getting braces? Ottawa Orthodontists:

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[column size=”1/3″]Wellington Village Orthodontics
Ottawa Braces[/column]

[column size=”1/3″]175 Holland Ave.
Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 0Y2
Phone: 613-722-8500[/column]

[column size=”1/3″]View Map[/column]
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