Orthodontic Treatment

Bella Dental Care has several general dentists who have a special interested in orthodontics and have completed some extra training to provide a variety of orthodontic treatments for our patients, including removable or fixed appliances.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a modern form of orthodontics that uses a sequence of clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth. Invisalign is often preferred because of its reduced visibility (sometimes referred to as ‘invisible braces’) and because the aligners can be taken out of the mouth for eating and cleaning of teeth.  The treatment is initiated by a 3D digital scan of the patient’s teeth and gums which is used to map out a treatment plan of alignment by the dentist. The plan is then confirmed and sent off to Invisalign technicians for a series of clear, custom-made aligners to be made which progressively straighten the teeth. Invisalign works well in many cases, however there are some limitations to what tooth movements are possible.

Braces

Braces are a more traditional orthodontic device for straightening teeth and adjusting the position of teeth in the bite to improve appearance, function and oral health. The treatment uses elastic-memory wire to apply deliberate pressure to the teeth, moving them into the desired position. The wire is attached to brackets which are fixed onto the teeth.

Brackets are fixed onto the teeth and attached to an elastic-memory wire. Forces are applied to the teeth as the wire returns to its original arch shape, moving the teeth into the desired position.

Braces can be difficult to clean around and are more visible than Invisalign, however being fixed to the teeth removes the need to remember to wear the appliance.

Other Orthodontic Appliances

There are many other orthodontic appliances that can be used to correct specific problems. Examples include: removable expansion plates, fixed expanders and twin blocks.

An expansion appliance, removable or fixed, functions to widen the palate to create space and ensure that the arch shape of the upper teeth is wide enough to bite correctly with the lower teeth.

A twin block is a removable appliance that uses an upper and lower plate to posture the lower jaw in a forward position to create a more favourable bite. Timing is important for the success of a twin block, so it is important that children get their bite checked at an early age so that treatment can be started at the optimal time.

A retainer, fixed or removable, maintains the teeth in a stable position after orthodontic treatment to avoid relapse.

Orthodontic treatment needs vary widely between individuals, so an assessment by your dentist is necessary to determine which orthodontic appliances may be suitable. In some cases a referral to a specialist orthodontist may be preferred.