What You Need to Know About Adult Braces
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. Over 30% of Dr. Sep’s patients are adults looking for straight teeth and healthy jaw joints (TMJ’s). Clear braces and Invisalign, “invisible braces” (www.invisalign.com) make it possible for adults to avoid wearing metal braces.
Dr. Sep utilizes what is known as the functional philosophy for treating adults. This involves the development of upper and lower arches to make room for all the permanent teeth and thus avoids the need for the extraction of permanent teeth. The result is to take a before treatment narrow smile and to create a broad smile following arch development. Dr. Sep also uses functional jaw repositioning appliances to move the lower jaw gently forward in cases where patients present with receding lower jaw and TMJ or jaw joint problems. This avoids the possibility of orthognathic surgery to move the lower jaw forward.
Dr. Sep has been lecturing to hundreds of general dentists all over North America about his non-extraction, non-surgical adult treatment methods for a number of years.
Self-Ligating Metal Braces
New technology with metal braces which include self-ligating, non-friction type braces (brackets) make the teeth straighten faster with less discomfort. If you do not want coloured ties on your metal braces, then self-ligating braces are the ideal solution. These brackets were developed by an orthodontist in Spain, Dr. Luis Carriere.
Clear Braces
We offer patients clear braces that are virtually invisible on the teeth. They are extremely esthetic and are the treatment of choice for many adults over the use of metal braces.
Traditional Metal Braces
These braces are the most commonly used in children and teenagers who want to add coloured ligature ties for a unique and colourful smile. Colours are changed every visit to make the orthodontic treatment more enjoyable for our younger patients.
Dr. Sep And His Dedicated Team
Dr. Sep and his team continually strive to upgrade their knowledge in orthodontics, TMD and sleep disorders in order to properly and confidently provide the best possible treatment to their patients. Dr. Sep’s team have had extensive experience treating patients ranging from 10-35 years.
Benefits Of Orthodontics
- Attractive smile
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Better function of the TMJ, healthier jaw joints
- Increased ability to clean teeth
- Reduce possibility of injury to protruded upper front teeth
Clinical Signs That Orthodontics May Be Needed
- Upper front teeth covering lower front teeth
- Buck teeth
- Underbite, upper front teeth behind lower front teeth
- Open bite, upper and lower front teeth have a space between them when biting on back teeth
- Midline problems, lower jaw shifts to one side when jaw closes and patient bites down
- Finger or thumb sucking habit
- Tongue thrusting habit
Do Braces Hurt?
The placement of braces on your teeth does not typically cause any discomfort. Wires are added to the braces to gently straighten the teeth. Some patients whose teeth are extremely crowded may feel some slight discomfort for a few days.
Will Braces Interfere With Playing Sports?
No. Braces can be worn while playing sports, but it is recommended that the patient wears a mouth guard when participating in sports. Mouth guards are inexpensive and come in a variety of colours.
Reasons To Treat Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth can lead to gum disease. Difficult to brush and floss teeth that are crowded.
