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Services

For Children | For Teens | For Adults | Treatment Options

Let us give you something to smile about!

Oral health is important at any age. At Smith Family Orthodontics we offer exceptional care for patients of all ages. From young children to adults, we provide orthodontic treatment and procedures necessary for maintaining excellent oral health.

Braces Your Way!

At Smith Family Orthodontics, we offer a variety of braces types and styles to choose from. Some common options include:

  • Clear ceramic braces
  • Invisalign aligners (clear removable braces)
  • Traditional metal braces

Orthodontics For Children

While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends a visit to the orthodontist around age seven. By this age, most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery.

Early treatment allows your orthodontist to:

  • Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
  • Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
  • Create more space for crowded teeth
  • Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
  • Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

For parents, it’s not always easy to know if your child might require orthodontic treatment. Here are a few things to look for that may indicate that your child needs to see an orthodontist:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • A hard time chewing or biting food
  • Mouth breathing
  • Finger or thumb sucking
  • Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
  • Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
  • Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
  • Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
  • Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

Orthodontics For Teens

You’ve just heard the three words that every teen dreads: “YOU NEED BRACES!” Don’t worry! Braces aren’t nearly as scary as you may think. In fact, braces today come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors, making life with braces much easier, more comfortable, and even more stylish than in the past. The amount of time it takes to treat your smile with braces depends on three key factors:

  • Early treatment – Early treatment allows orthodontists to monitor the growth of the jaw and recommend further orthodontic treatment if it becomes necessary. Not everybody receives early orthodontic treatment; in some cases it may be recommended that a patient wait until a later age to receive treatment.
  • What needs correction – The amount of treatment needed to correct a problem will determine how long the process takes. Different patients react to treatments differently, so while it may take one patient only 12 months to complete the treatment, it may take another 24 months. Treatment times can vary, depending on how quickly your body responds and how much work is needed to give you the show-stopping smile you expect.
  • YOU! – Your willingness to use the appliances your orthodontist gives you plays a major role in the length of time it takes to complete your treatment. Always remember to take care of your braces and appliances; this truly will help make your treatment shorter!

Orthodontics For Adults

Orthodontic treatment is no longer just for teens. In fact, the Canadian Association of Orthodontists cites that one in five orthodontic patients is over the age of 21. Many adults are choosing to receive treatment because they understand the importance of maintaining their health, and they want to feel better about their appearance. Adults everywhere are taking advantage of the opportunity to receive orthodontic care, and now you can too.

Common reasons why adults are considering orthodontic treatment:

  • A bad bite or malocclusion, which causes teeth to fit together incorrectly
  • Teeth are crowded or spaced apart, possibly causing tooth decay or gum disease
  • Abnormal jaw pain, or pressure caused by crooked teeth
  • Desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile

Treatment Options

For many adults, the thought of having metal braces is enough to discourage them from seeking treatment. However, today’s orthodontic treatment options offer a variety of braces and appliances that are comfortable, aesthetic, and customized to meet your needs. Types of braces include:

  • Clear ceramic braces
  • Invisalign aligners (clear removable braces)
  • Traditional metal braces

The Difference Between Adult Orthodontics And Orthodontics For Children And Teens

The main difference to remember when treating adults or children and teens, is that in younger patients the jawbones are still developing. For adults, these bones have stopped growing, which may mean the possibility of orthognathic surgery to align the jawbones. Other differences include:

  • Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) – Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis, or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease.
  • Worn or missing teeth – Over time, teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
  • Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen – Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but either did not complete their treatment, or failed to use their retainers long-term. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Our practice also recognizes that adults and children have different needs, and require different levels of attention and care. We will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate treatment, and your needs are met with understanding and respect from us. Whether you are interested in orthodontic services for any member of your family, or perhaps for yourself, contact us to schedule your initial consultation: Contact us using the online form to the left of the page, info@smithfamilyorthodontics.com, (613) 544-4445.