Why Braces?

Your dentist or periodontist may have discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain. This can result in tooth decay, worsen gum disease and lead to tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints. These can lead to chronic headaches and face or neck pain.

Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics but a more functional occlusion or “bite” is what allows us to have a better chance of keeping our teeth for the rest of our lives. And when the braces come off, that first smile is magic!

The Difference Between a Dentist and Orthodontist

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. All orthodontists are dentists, but only about 6% of dentists are orthodontists. An orthodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and jaw irregularities. The technical term for these problems is "malocclusion". The practice of orthodontics blends both art and science in conjunction with exquisite skill in the design, application and control of corrective appliances (braces) to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and achieve harmonious facial balance.

After graduation from dental school, one must successfully complete an additional 2- to 3-year residency program of advanced education in orthodontics in a graduate program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the Canadian and American Dental Associations. Through this comprehensive training, the orthodontist develops the skills required to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) and guide facial development (dentofacial orthopedics). By the time an orthodontist becomes licensed by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, he has proven to have the knowledge, expertise and proficiency to provide consistent, quality orthodontic care.

Only dentists who have successfully completed this advanced specialty education may call themselves orthodontists.

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