648 Bay St., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1X8
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FAQs About Orthodontics

Here are Some of the Most Common Orthodontic Questions:

My dentist said I need braces, what now?
Call us and we will get you in for an assessment and discussion. We will give you the information you need to understand the situation and the solutions.
My dentist said they can straighten my teeth, is this true?
Some dentists do orthodontics but only an orthodontist is a specialist. Be aware of the difference (as noted above) and choose whom you feel has the most education and experience to deliver the best result.
How does Orthodontic Treatment work?

Orthodontic appliances, are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic whether they are braces, clear aligners, retainers, palatal expanders etc. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to their proper position. You can now choose clear or metal brackets, hidden braces (Incognito), or clear aligners (Invisalign) and, in some cases, the color of your appliances to suit your style!

Do you offer services out of town?

We have a satellite practice in Elliot Lake for those patients that have trouble travelling to the Sault.

What is Myobrace?
Myobrace is a non-brace appliance that is worn for a few hours a day and at night to straighten teeth. Lately, there seems to be a resurgence of this technique in the Sault. We have not seen evidence that strongly supports this technique and its effectiveness. Make sure you understand what you are getting for the significant expense your family is incurring as it is often a non-customized stock appliance similar to a store-bought mouthguard (but for a different purpose). While it promises a lot, most orthodontists use more accepted techniques to move teeth and to achieve a nice result.
How do I properly brush with braces?

Proper brushing with braces

How can you speed up the process of braces?
We have several options to speed up your treatment if that is what you desire. We use Acceledent and Propel as two very different strategies and we have other techniques and systems. In fact, we pride ourselves for the last 25 or so years at moving your treatment along quickly and successfully.
How long can treatment be?
Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.
What is an expander?
An expander is a device that widens the jaw. They are very common but need to be properly constructed and permanently fixed in the mouth for a short period of time to ensure a true orthopedic effect (“growing/ widening the jaw”). Removable expanders are generally not used in orthodontics anymore because they do not skeletally widen the jaw, and there are more efficient, “patient-friendly” ways to tip teeth.
How do I turn my expander (RPE)?

Expander (RPE) Turns Video

Why do I need to wear my retainer?
Retainers help prevent teeth from going back to the way they were. It is a very important part of treatment and some people, especially younger people, take it lightly and we end up seeing them again when they are adults!

Our very own Dr. Floreani explains why retainers are so important in orthodontic treatment in this “Ask The Experts” video from Canadian Association of Orthodontics.

What is the difference between Orthodontist’s & Orthodontics?
You may see in an ad, or on a business card, that a general dentist does orthodontics. That doesn’t mean they are an orthodontist. An orthodontist spends around 3 extra years to be able to call themselves an orthodontist. They specialize in it and all their focus and education is in that one single area. The general dentist does a wide range of dental services while an orthodontist limits their practice to just orthodontics.
Where can I get more information about Orthodontics?
Resources are available on the following Orthodontic Organizations and appliance websites:

Did we answer all your questions?

If you still have questions about orthodontic treatment, we welcome you to make a FREE consultation appointment where you can meet with our Doctors Floreani, O’Toole & Dool and they will be happy to answer all your questions.

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