Questions on Orthodontics

Starting at what age can an orthodontic treatment be recommended?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children undergo an orthodontic screening exam between the ages of six and eight to identify and prevent problems at an early stage, if any. At this point in time, we are able to determine whether or not a treatment is necessary, what the options to explore are, and in cases where parents decide to go ahead with treatment, decide when to start.

 

Where do dental and facial problems come from?

In orthodontics, heredity plays an important role. The issue may be overcrowded teeth, teeth that are spaced too far apart, missing or excess teeth, a misshapen jaw or one that is too narrow or too wide. Certain problems may stem from acquired behaviours, health issues or specific events. Thumb sucking, pushing one’s tongue up against the teeth during deglutition (swallowing), teeth grinding, chronic mouth breathing (caused by asthma, allergies, etc.), accidents involving one’s teeth or face, as well as a premature loss of baby teeth are all factors that can lead to misaligned teeth and in turn affect oral health.

 

What is malocclusion?

Essentially, malocclusion is any deviation from a physiologically acceptable contact of opposing dentitions, i.e. the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. There exist three malocclusion classes:

 

Class I: Jaws are aligned, but teeth aren’t positioned properly, are facing the wrong way or overlapping.

 

Class II: The upper jaw is protruding, while the lower jaw is small and receding. Teeth may also be improperly positioned, facing the wrong way or overlapping.

 

Class III: The lower jaw is protuberant, while the upper jaw is too small. Teeth may also be improperly positioned, facing the wrong way or overlapping.

 

What makes orthodontic treatments important?

The mail goal of any orthodontic treatment is to improve oral health. Teeth that are crooked or overlapping are more difficult to clean and they increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and the possible loss of certain teeth. Furthermore, teeth that do not fit into each other properly can cause painful TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems or excessive wear on teeth, as well as headaches and a painful neck. Mastication (chewing) may also be adversely affected.

 

Why recommend orthodontics to an adult?

There is no particular age for starting an orthodontic treatment, although it is recommended to begin before a patient is fully grown. As we speak, 35% of orthodontics patients are adults. New technologies allow us to fit very discreet orthodontic devices. These may even be invisible in some cases.

 

What type of dental device will I have to wear?

It may be a removable or irremovable device. In some cases, the combined use of these two types of orthodontic appliances is necessary to obtain optimal results. During a patient’s consultation, we will let you know which approach is best suited to your needs.

 

What is the duration of an orthodontic treatment?

A treatment’s duration depends on its type and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Several factors may influence the growth of a person’s face and mouth. These determine the gravity of the issue at hand and by the same token the duration and cost of treatment. Variables that are within a patient’s control, such as their adherence to the course of treatment, may also affect its outcome. Required treatment duration is assessed during a patient’s consultation. However an average of two years can be expected.