Meet Janice Sommerville

Orthodontic Treatments

We offer a wide range of orthodontic treatment options and appliances which include metal, ceramic, and plastics.

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position.

How long does the treatment take? Well, it typically ranges from 18 to 24 months, depending on the severity of the problem, the time it takes for a patient to respond to treatment, and the treatment procedure. Outlined below are the Orthodontic treatments we offer.

Braces
This is the most effective way of changing the tooth position in a controlled and predictable manner. Braces enable the orthodontist to place the tooth at a precise position that is perfect and makes it easy to attain that beautiful smile. The types of braces include the traditional metal braces, ceramic braces and an invisible clear orthodontic appliance such as Invisalign.

Clear Aligners
If you want perfectly straight teeth without using braces, consider consulting your orthodontist to determine if clear aligners are right for you. Made from 3D computer imaging technology, Invisalign® uses a series of invisible, removable and comfortable aligners that enable you to smile during and after treatment. You’ll be able to keep eating all your favourite foods, stay active in all the sports and activities you love, experience fewer emergency visits and your Invisalign® clear aligners are virtually invisible.

Surgical Orthodontics
This is a combination treatment which involves the use of surgery and Orthodontics in correcting severe cases. For example, a problem related to the poor position of the jaw bones. Also known as Orthognathic surgery, adults with improper bites and other aesthetic concerns undergo the procedure to treat them. Surgery requires complete jaw growth before it can be carried out so we have minimum age limits for this, 16 years for girls and 18 years for boys.

Early Treatments
We recommend early treatment to help attain an ideal, healthy, and functional result. Early treatments can be active (for example correcting a crossbite when the top front teeth develop behind the lowers), or passive such as holding space if a baby tooth is lost or extracted early. Developing crowing can indicate the use of a passive holding arch which maintains space for the permanent teeth, reducing the need for extractions in the future.

Emergency Care
Orthodontic emergencies don’t occur very often. However, you can be assured that we are available if a problem does occur. As a general rule, you should call the office when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself. We’ll be able to schedule an appointment to resolve the problem.