Westgate Dental & Implant Centre - Your Orthodontist in Maple Ridge
Serving Maple Ridge and Surrounding Areas
Misaligned teeth and jaws are the most common problems affecting both children and adults. These misalignments can lead to functional and aesthetic issues, including difficulty cleaning teeth, bite problems, increased risk of periodontal disease, and reduced self-confidence.
To identify problems and address issues right away, Westgate Dental & Implant Centre is here to provide the best possible personalized care to maintain your beautiful smile. Let our orthodontists work to improve the overall appearance of your teeth for the best smile.
Treatment modalities based on orthodontic research from a qualified orthodontist utilize controlled forces to move teeth into their rightful positions to improve oral health and overall well-being.
What is Orthodontics?
It’s a branch of modern dentistry offering solutions for achieving optimal dental alignment. Orthodontics, offered by most dental schools with orthodontic residency programs, focuses on diagnosing dental problems, preventing further issues, and correcting crooked teeth.
The Role of Orthodontists
Orthodontists are dental professionals specializing in orthodontic care and treatments. Not all dentists are orthodontists, as these specialists have undergone additional training from an orthodontic school, beyond dental school, to acquire the skills necessary for managing tooth and jaw misalignments.
A certified specialist understands craniofacial growth and development and utilizes diagnostic tools like x-rays, cephalometric radiographs, panoramic radiographs, and dental models to evaluate jaw relationships, tooth eruption patterns, and the underlying skeletal structures.
Benefits of Consulting an Orthodontist
Comprehensive Treatment Planning
Selecting and manipulating orthodontic appliances (traditional metal braces and clear aligners) to achieve the desired tooth movements.
Our orthodontists can present a range of restorative options, including braces, clear aligners like Invisalign, or a combination of approaches.
Good Oral Health Outcomes
- Aligned teeth are easier to cleanse and maintain, reducing plaque buildup, tooth decay and the appearance of cavities and gum disease.
- A well-aligned bite reduces chewing difficulties for a better breakdown of food particles.
- The treatment can help establish a more harmonious bite, alleviating TMJ symptoms.
- Prevent the development of more complex dental issues, like tooth wear, bone loss, and excessive stress on the jaw joints.
Early Diagnosis and Intervention
Our Maple Ridge dentist can identify potential malocclusions at the earliest stages, even in young children. This early detection allows for:
Preventative Measures | Incipient malocclusions can be intercepted with proactive measures like using space maintainers to prevent the development of more severe issues requiring extensive treatments. |
Reduced Treatment Complexity | Early intervention may simplify future orthodontic treatments by creating a more favourable foundation for tooth movement. |
When to Seek Consultation with an Orthodontist
Orthodontists are dental professionals who went to orthodontic school and they are the ones who diagnose, identify problems, prevent, and treat dental and facial irregularities. They undergo extensive training beyond most dental schools and are qualified to diagnose and treat complex dental and jaw problems. Using advanced treatments, technology and techniques, orthodontists help people achieve healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing smiles.
We recommend an initial evaluation by age 7. During this developmental stage, the permanent incisors and first molars erupt. This allows for a preliminary assessment of lower and upper jaw growth, dental eruption patterns, and potential future malocclusions. It can pave the way for:
Interceptive Orthodontics
Address developing malocclusions in children, simplifying or even negating the need for more extensive treatment later.
Habit Interception
Identify and address patterns like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that contribute to malocclusion development.
- Crowding can occur when teeth lack sufficient space to erupt properly. Conversely, excessive spacing may also be a sign of malocclusion.
- An improper bite (malocclusion) can manifest in various ways, including an overbite (upper front protrudes over the lower front), an underbite (lower front projects beyond the upper front), a crossbite (upper teeth bite inside the lower section), or an open bite (upper and lower front teeth do not meet when biting together).
Invisalign Teeth Aligners: Recommended Orthodontic Treatment
Unlike braces, which utilize brackets and wires, Invisalign employs custom-made, removable, and almost invisible plastic aligners to move teeth into their desired positions gradually.
How it Works
Staged Aligner Wear
Our patients wear each custom-designed aligner set for a prescribed period (usually 1-2 weeks) before transitioning to the next set in the sequence.
Force Application
We engineer each aligner to apply gentle, targeted forces to induce controlled tooth movement in the desired direction.
Alveolar Bone Remodeling
The alveolar bone (surrounding the teeth) undergoes a biological process termed remodelling.
- On the pressure side of the tooth, bone resorption occurs to create space for movement.
- On the tension side, new bone formation takes place to support the tooth in its new position.
Clinical Applications
- Mild to Moderate Crowding: When teeth are positioned too close together, aligners create space for proper alignment.
- Spacing Issues: Excessive spaces can be addressed through controlled movement with the aligners.
- Crossbites: The upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when biting together. The aligners can be used to correct these discrepancies.
- Open Bites: The upper and lower front teeth don’t come together when the mouth is closed. We use braces and aligners to correct this issue and achieve proper closure.
- Overbites and Underbites: Aligners can also address overbites, where the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth, and underbites, where the lower teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth, improving overall bite alignment.
- Rotated Teeth: For teeth that are twisted or rotated, aligners gradually guide them into their correct positions, enhancing both function and appearance.
Orthodontic Treatments For the Whole Family
Properly aligned teeth not only enhance aesthetics and boost self-confidence but also contribute to improved oral health. Straighter teeth are low-maintenance, reducing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other dental complications.
But to straighten them, patients must consult a reliable dental team in Maple Ridge to provide the necessary treatments. Westgate Dental & Implant Centre caters to kids and adults, offering a customized orthodontic treatment plan for each patient.
If you prefer traditional braces or clear aligners, our dental clinic in Maple Ridge is always ready to guide our patients to achieve their desired results. Book your appointment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical timeline for orthodontic treatments?
The duration of treatments depends on the complexity of the case. Treatment can range from 6 months to 2 years. Regular appointments are scheduled to monitor progress, ensure proper aligner wear, and make adjustments as needed for straight teeth.
What happens after Invisalign treatment is completed?
Following the successful completion of the Invisalign treatment, we may recommend a retainer. It helps to maintain the achieved tooth position and prevent relapse. Our orthodontist provides specific instructions on retainer wear and follow-up appointments to ensure long-term success.
Can I use tobacco products while undergoing Invisalign treatment?
Smoking and tobacco use can stain the Invisalign aligners and hinder the progress of orthodontic care. Tobacco use can negatively impact gum health and potentially compromise the overall success of the treatment. We strongly advise avoiding smoking and tobacco products for the best orthodontic care.
How often will I need appointments during treatments?
The frequency of appointments for exceptional orthodontic care depends on your individual treatment plan, but they typically occur every 4-8 weeks.
What are the other types of orthodontic treatments?
- Braces: Using brackets, bands, and wires to gradually shift your teeth into place. Options include traditional metal braces and clear ceramic braces, each tailored to meet your specific needs.
- Retainers: After completing orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners, you’ll need a retainer to keep your teeth from shifting back. Your orthodontist will guide you on how often to wear it to maintain your results.
- Palate Expanders: For children, palate expanders help widen the upper jaw to create more space. They are often recommended because a child’s facial bones are easier to adjust at a younger age. Not all children need them, but they can avoid more invasive procedures in some cases.