If you think that your child may need an orthodontist, Edmonton has numerous licensed orthodontists who can address issues relating to teeth or jaw misalignment. For people of all ages, braces are among the best ways to deal with teeth that don’t grow in correctly or jaws that are out of line. If you talk to your family dentist, he or she should be able to assess whether orthodontic care is needed. In the event that your dentist is unable to recommend a specific orthodontist, Edmonton has many other resources you can use to find a practitioner who is right for you.
Who can perform braces procedures?
Any orthodontist is qualified to work with braces. To become an orthodontist, one goes through standard dental training followed by a special two-year orthodontics training program. In other words, orthodontists are dentists with special qualifications.
How can I find an orthodontist?
One way to find orthodontists in the area is to do a Google search for “Orthodontist Edmonton.” However, it’s sometimes easier to go through the Canadian Association of Orthodontics website. Click on the “Find an Orthodontist” button, and then navigate to the Orthodontist Edmonton section. You can also simply enter your postal code to find the practitioners who are closest to you.
Why are braces important?
Braces can fix misaligned jaws, which helps the individual feel better about his or her appearance. They also help prevent things like gum disease and tooth decay, and they’re even beneficial in promoting healthy digestion. Even so, not getting braces is not life threatening, so it is an elective procedure.
What are the signs that braces are necessary?
If your child shows any of these symptoms, you might want to see an orthodontist:
- jaw noises
- significant spaces in between teeth
- strange or unusual tooth position after tooth loss
- teeth out of position or crowding each other
- frequent cheek biting
- difficulty biting, chewing, or swallowing
- severe under- or over-bite or a bite that’s off center
- teeth severely out of proportion with others
- teeth growing in behind others
- a too-prominent or weak chin
What causes tooth and jaw alignment problems?
Heredity can play a large role in guiding how teeth grow in, but other factors can be equally important—including childhood gum disease, poor toothbrushing habits, finger sucking, pacifier sucking, and premature tooth loss.
When do children need orthodontic consultations?
Even if your child is not exhibiting any signs of serious alignment issues, it’s beneficial to seek a consultation when the child is older than 2 or 3 and under the age of 7. Orthopedic procedures are largely about prevention, so it’s best to catch things as early as possible, long before they develop into serious problems.
What do braces do?
If you want a full, authoritative description of how braces work, the best thing to do is to hear it straight from one of the practitioners in the Orthodontist Edmonton section of the Canadian Association of Orthodontics website. However, to put it simply, braces use wire threads, brackets, and rubber bands to apply continuous, gentle pressure to guide the teeth into an ideal position. In general, this process takes months or years, so it’s best to go in for check-ups on a regular basis.
