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Align your smile with orthodontics.

Orthodontic treatment could help your teeth and jaws look and function better.

Orthodontics is the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. The goal of orthodontic treatment is to properly align the teeth, lips and jaws to create a balanced, pleasing facial appearance and ensure that the teeth and jaws are functioning normally.

A beautiful smile is just one of the benefits of orthodontic treatment
Straight teeth simply function better, are easier to clean, and provide for increased confidence and self-esteem. A bad bite (malocclusion) left untreated may contribute to conditions that cause:

• tooth decay
• gum disease
• early loss of teeth
• mouth breathing
• jaw joint problems
• fracture or loss of protruding teeth
• jaws and teeth that do not meet properly during chewing and swallowing
• improper speech development
• poor self-image

Some malocclusions can be treated by your dentist, others may require treatment by an orthodontic specialist.

Early prevention
An orthodontic examination by your dentist or orthodontist at an early age may help to detect orthodontic problems, and if appropriate, treatment could be initiated to prevent more serious problems from developing. By taking advantage of facial growth and tooth eruption the severity of the problem can be reduced. This can make the completion of treatment at a later age less complicated and less costly. Results can be achieved that would be unattainable if the face and jaw had finished growing prior to treatment.

Adult Orthodontics — you're never too old to look your best
People think that orthodontic treatment is usually associated with adolescence. But, today one in four orthodontic patients is an adult. Improving an adult's smile and bite depends on the health of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone, not age. The biologic process involved in tooth movement is the same in adults and children. There are some changes that cannot be achieved with braces alone because the facial bones in adults have finished growing. In many such cases a combined approach of surgery and orthodontics can lead to very dramatic improvements.

How does orthodontic treatment work?
Steady, gentle pressure is applied on each tooth to carefully move it to the desired position. This is done using braces (consisting of metal or clear brackets and wires) or removable appliances. During the treatment, adjustments are periodically made to control and maintain the pressure required to continue the movement of the teeth. How long does orthodontic treatment take? No two orthodontic patients require the exact same treatment. Treatment can take anywhere from six to thirty months or longer depending on the severity of the problem, the age of the patient, and the amount of movement that is required.

If you have any concerns, talk to your dentist or orthodontist. We care about you and your teeth.

This information courtesy of your Manitoba Dentist.