Orthodontics

Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatments in Scarborough

portrait of happy mother and daughter Orthodontics refers to dentistry that focuses on correcting improper bites and misaligned or crooked teeth. The position of your teeth and jaws can affect the health and aesthetics of your smile. An improper bite exerts excessive pressure on your teeth and jaw, accelerating wear and tear and resulting in jaw pain. Misaligned teeth also make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, leading to a buildup of plaque and bacteria, putting you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

After orthodontic treatments, your bite and jaw function improves, allowing you to chew, smile, and speak properly. At Milner Dental Care, we listen to your concerns and discuss the most appropriate solution for your unique oral health situation. We offer comprehensive orthodontic treatments in Scarborough for both adults and children. Our skilled and caring team, led by Dr. Vincent Lo, is committed to helping you achieve a healthy, even, and beautiful smile. Contact us today to book an appointment!

CALL US: (416) 299-5449 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

Why You or Your Child Might Need Braces

Braces straighten crooked teeth by gradually moving them to the right position. They can also align the lower and upper jaw to improve your smile's aesthetics and ease the pressure and tension on your temporomandibular joints. Although both adults and children can benefit from this treatment, kids have an advantage as they are still developing. It is easier to guide children's teeth into position with early intervention as they grow. However, it is never too late to realign your teeth with braces.

Some of the reasons you or your child may require orthodontic treatment include:

Overbite
Underbite
Crossbite
Open bite
Crowding
Crooked teeth
Unwanted gaps and spacing

When to Start Orthodontic Treatment for Your Child

girl with braces visiting dental office As your child grows, we monitor a developing bite for orthodontic problems. In some cases, the best time to start orthodontic treatment is around age seven. At this age, the jawbone is still easy to adjust using orthodontic appliances, making it easier to achieve ideal results. Every child's dental situation is unique, and some children may require intervention earlier than their peers.

Some of the reasons your child may early orthodontic intervention include habits like thumb-sucking, leading to alignment issues. Other reasons include upper teeth that grow behind lower teeth, teeth that extend too far out, and insufficient space for adult teeth to grow, which results in crowding. Lastly, your child may need orthodontic intervention if they breathe through their mouth, grind their teeth, or snore. These symptoms can be signs of an improper bite, tooth crowding, or narrow arches.

Phases of Orthodontic Treatment

When you come to our Scarborough practice for orthodontic treatment, you can expect comprehensive and compassionate care. We offer two treatment phases for kids and teens.

Phase I: Phase I orthodontic treatment focuses on treating developing alignment issues. The treatment starts as early as seven years old and can last for 14 months. Phase I creates a good foundation for further treatment and can prevent future extractions or surgery. We use appliances like space maintainers, expansion appliances, and specialized retainers to treat alignment issues during this stage.

Phase II: Phase II refers to orthodontic treatment after your child's adult teeth are fully emerged, around the age 11. We use customized plans and appliances like aligners and braces to positioning the jaw and straightening teeth. Phase 2 corrects issues, giving your child a long-lasting beautiful smile.

Invisalign® for Adults and Teens

woman holding invisalign clear braces Invisalign is an orthodontic option that offers efficiency and discretion. It involves wearing clear trays that are custom-designed to realign your teeth over time. If you are embarrassed about wearing braces, Invisalign aligners are clear and invisible, and you can remove them when eating or cleaning your teeth. The method works best on mild to moderate alignment issues, and you need strong teeth and healthy gums to qualify for treatment.

We offer Invisalign treatments to adults and responsible teens who can commit to the treatment parameters. The trays must be worn for at least 22 hours a day to achieve the desired results. It also requires diligent brushing and cleaning the aligners every time you eat. This method can provide significant results while enhancing the aesthetics of your smile.

Orthodontic Options in Scarborough

At Milner Dentistry, we understand that every smile is unique, and one method does not work for everyone. We offer various orthodontic treatment options for your convenience to ensure you get a treatment that fits your needs. You don't have to spend time traveling to different offices to treat each member of your family, as we offer orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults. Our experienced team is ready and equipped to meet your smile needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.