Orthodontics
Orthodontics in Ashburton & Ashwood
Not only can misaligned teeth cause issues with your dental health, but they can also affect your self-confidence. Learn more about how you can benefit from our orthodontic treatments below.
Who Benefits from Orthodontic Treatment?
Here at Ashwood Dental, we use orthodontic treatments to address issues like:
- Gaps between teeth
- An overbite, underbite, deep bite, or crossbite
- General crowding of teeth
If you do not address the misalignment of your teeth, you may experience the following dental and health problems:
- Headaches
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Biting, chewing, and speaking problems
Our Ashburton dental team offers professional orthodontic services in Ashwood and Ashburton to improve your teeth’s health and function. As a bonus, you’ll be rewarded with a straight, aesthetically-pleasing smile that you and everyone you know will admire!
What Are the Different Types of Orthodontic Treatment?
There is more than one way to straighten out your teeth. If you aren’t sure which method is right for you, you can book a consultation, and our Ashburton dentists will help you decide on the best fit.
In the meantime, you can learn about some of the different types of treatments:
Braces
Braces use brackets and wires to guide each tooth into the desired position. Here at Ashwood Dental, we offer three different kinds of braces:
- Traditional: Standard metal brackets on the front of your teeth
- Clear: Tooth-coloured brackets on the front of your teeth
- Myobrace: Involves Myofunctional appliances which trains the muscles
Does Orthodontic Treatment Hurt?
No! While you may feel slight pressure and discomfort because of the wires and elastics, orthodontic treatment doesn’t hurt.
You can handle any mild discomfort by:
- Eating softer foods
- Applying wax to prevent wires from cutting your cheeks and tongue
- Taking paracetamol to relieve mouth soreness
How Long Do I Have to Wear Braces?
Patients typically wear braces for six months to several years.
Invisalign & ClearCorrect
Invisalign and ClearCorrect are both brands of clear aligners. They require more commitment from the patient’s end, as you have to wear your aligners for a majority of each day for the duration of treatment.
At Ashburton dental clinic, our dental team customises your trays to fit your teeth. These trays will slowly shift each tooth into the perfect position. We’ll have you come into the office every six to eight weeks to ensure you’re making ideal progress.
How Old Do I Have to be to Start Orthodontic Treatment?
Despite what you may think, orthodontics work for every age group.
Our team notably offers interceptive orthodontics, which is a kind of treatment for young children. We take advantage of the growing jawbone to push permanent teeth to grow into the ideal position. Early intervention reduces the time a child has to wear braces and prevents dental issues down the road.
No matter your age, you can book a consultation with us today to begin your orthodontic treatment in Ashburton and Ashwood!
How Do I Clean My Teeth with Braces?
You need to keep up a good oral hygiene routine while you are wearing braces. You will need to brush every angle of each bracket and floss between your brace wires.
Our dental professionals in Ashburton will walk you through exactly how to care for your teeth with braces.
How Often Do I Have to Visit My Dentist During Treatment?
We’ll have you come in for a visit every six to eight weeks to ensure that you are making sufficient progress.
How Does a Retainer Play into Orthodontic Treatment?
At the end of your orthodontic treatment, you will receive either a fixed or removable retainer. This piece will maintain your teeth’s straightness.
You will need to wear your retainer every night to prevent your teeth from reverting to their original position.
Book a consultation today at Ashwood Dental so you can begin your orthodontic treatment! We guide you through every step of the process, including the maintenance of your newly straight smile with a retainer.
