Determine the severity of the Emergency

The first thing you should do when an orthodontic emergency is identifying its severity. Is your orthodontic device broken? Is there severe pain? Is there bleeding? All of this information will be helpful to your orthodontist when advising you about what steps to take next. If any pieces or parts of your orthodontic device have fallen out you should be sure to hold on to them as they may help your orthodontist make repairs.

Manage any pain or discomfort

There are a variety of ways to manage any pain or discomfort caused by the emergency. If wires are out of place and poking the inside of your mouth, make use of orthodontic wax to protect your mouth. Consider icing the affected area to reduce swelling and regularly rinse your mouth out with warm salt water to prevent infection and keep the area clean. Over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen may help manage pain and inflammation caused by the emergency.

Contact your Orthodontist

The next thing you should do is contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. Your orthodontist will be able to advise you on the severity of the emergency, recommend steps you can take to mitigate the emergency, and schedule you for any device repairs or other treatment that may be necessary.

Follow Interim Care Instructions

Your orthodontist will have recommendations on how best to cope with the effects of the emergency while you are waiting for your appointment. You should be sure to follow these recommendations as closely as possible as this will help you care for your damaged appliance or deal with any injury or discomfort that occurs as a result of the emergency.

We hope we have been able to demonstrate the steps you should take in the event of an orthodontic emergency. If you have any questions about orthodontic treatments, please feel free to contact us.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Timeline

Teeth move in predictable ways. This means that following your dentist’s instructions is important, and the treatment period will be easier and faster with a cooperative patient. Kids that regularly eat foods that they are not supposed to or chew on hard things like pens, will break brackets (that need replacing) and require a longer treatment time period.

Pain

Braces do not hurt. Sometimes there is some mild discomfort in the beginning when teeth first start to move, but otherwise the whole process is painless. The patient gets used to the braces and soon forgets that he or she has them on. If your teen is experiencing discomfort, talk to your orthodontist.

Keeping Teeth Clean

Keeping teeth clean has never been more important than during the time when a child wears braces. Tooth decay and cavities can pose several problems for the child wearing braces, so it is very important that teens adopt good teeth brushing and flossing habits early on in the orthodontic process.

Traditional Braces vs. Invisalign

Both traditional braces and Invisalign-type orthodontic treatment have pros and cons. Invisalign is less visible to the naked eye, but since you remove them to eat, it is easy to lose them. Invisalign is also not suitable for every case. The more challenging orthodontic cases require traditional braces.

Orthodontics are a rite of passage for many school-age teens. Most kids only wear them for a couple of years. If you have any questions about orthodontic devices and orthodontics, please feel free to contact us or make an appointment so we can discuss your options.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Pain Relievers

Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to reduce the inflammation of your gums and alleviate pain caused by your treatment. You should always make sure to follow the proper dosage instructions for any medication you take.

Cold Compress

A cold compress can be used to numb the area and help reduce pain and swelling. This is particularly helpful within the first 48 hours following an adjustment or following the switch to a new set of aligners.

Saltwater Rinse

A saltwater rinse of 1 teaspoon of salt in roughly 1 cup of warm water can help you deal with the soreness in your gums and minor abrasions caused by your orthodontic devices by reducing inflammation and killing bacteria in the area. Warm Water can also help improve the circulation in your gums which can lead to faster healing of sores and cuts that can be caused by your orthodontic device.

Orthodontic Wax

Wax allows you to protect the inside of your mouth from the irritation caused by your orthodontic treatment. It does this by providing a soft, physical barrier between the soft tissue of your mouth and the harder and sharper parts of your orthodontic devices. This method works by softening the piece of wax then applying it directly to the offending area to create the barrier.

Eating Soft Foods

One of the easiest ways to prevent discomfort caused by your orthodontic devices is to stick to soft, easy to chew foods. Eating these foods instead of chewy or crunchy foods will minimize the pressure you place on your teeth and prevent discomfort. Examples of soft foods include yogurt, soup, scrambled eggs and smoothies.

Avoid Acidic Foods

Foods that are high in acid can irritate any sores or cuts caused by your orthodontic device. Examples of high acid foods include things like most fruit, foods that use vinegar for flavoring and many commercial beverages.

Put in New Aligners before bed 

This tip is specific to Invisalign users, if you are going to be switching to a new aligner you should put them in a few hours before bedtime rather than the next morning. This will help you get past the initial discomfort period as your teeth will start to adjust while you sleep, you also won’t be removing your aligner to eat.

Hopefully we have been able to show you several ways you can manage the pain and discomfort that can be caused by Invisalign Aligners and Traditional Braces. If none of these methods have any effect on your pain and discomfort you should contact your orthodontist immediately.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment. 

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Invisalign can treat a wide variety of problems

Invisalign is suitable for treating mild to moderate orthodontic problems in patients of all ages. Patients have reported crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, cross bites, improperly spaced teeth and more being corrected using Invisalign. However, Invisalign treatment plans are customized for each individual patient so you will need to discuss with your orthodontist whether your orthodontic concern is correctable using Invisalign.

There is no wrong time to get Invisalign

Patients of all ages seeking an alternative to traditional braces have found an answer in Invisalign. These patients can be elementary aged children just growing into their adult teeth, high schoolers concerned about the look of their smile or even seniors looking to finally correct some longstanding orthodontic concerns and have the smile they always wanted.

What do patients like about Invisalign?

Many patients have lauded Invisalign for its ease and comfort. They like that they can still eat whatever they want, they like that they don’t have to have regular adjustments made and they like that Invisalign retainers don’t make you feel like you have a mouth full of metal and rubber. Patients, especially teenagers or those in public facing careers, regularly remark on how much they appreciate the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign, that being that they are relatively invisible to the casual observer. They also like how easy it is to find out if Invisalign is right for you, with many patients finding the consultation quicker, easier and more painless than they expected.

What do patients say about their results?

Once patients have completed their Invisalign treatment they are extremely appreciative of how easy the whole process is and how much better their smile looks and feels following the treatment. Many patients also feel that they can track their progress as they change aligners, watching their smile change before their eyes.

We hope we have been able to convey to you how patients feel about Invisalign treatment and hope that their success stories can motivate you to see if Invisalign treatment is right for you.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Braces

Braces are one of the most well-known orthodontic treatments, they involve attaching brackets directly to the teeth to forcibly reposition them. Braces are great for treating more complex orthodontic concerns that aligners just can’t handle. For many types of orthodontic treatment braces can also be a much faster method of treatment than aligners. Braces also offer more choice than aligners with several types of braces being available, these include options like traditional braces, lingual braces that are attached to the back of the teeth or braces where the brackets are made of clear ceramic rather than metal. Because braces are attached directly to the teeth they don’t depend as much on patient compliance as aligners do, which might be better for certain lifestyles.

There are some notable disadvantages to braces, their aesthetic issues are well known, with many patients feeling that braces negatively impact their appearance. Braces also make it more difficult to clean your teeth, often requiring instruction from your orthodontist to get them properly cleaned. They also come with dietary restrictions, if you have braces you will need to avoid certain foods, such as excessively sticky foods or foods like popcorn where hard bits can get stuck. You will also need to make regular appointments with your orthodontist for adjustments to your braces in order to ensure the treatment is progressing correctly.

Aligners

The big advantage of aligners is that they are clear and practically invisible when worn correctly, so there is no need to be concerned about how your treatment alters your appearance. There are also no dietary restrictions that come with aligners, you just remove them whenever you want to eat. It’s also easier to keep your teeth clean with aligners, you simply remove the aligner and brush and floss like normal. If the aligners are being worn correctly and changed when needed, you won’t need as many visits to your orthodontist as you would with braces. All orthodontic treatments come with a level of discomfort, that includes aligners, however because they are made of plastic and molded directly to your teeth there is often less discomfort and generally no risk of cuts or bruises when compared to braces.

The biggest disadvantage of aligners is that the range of orthodontic concerns that they can treat is more limited than those that can be treated by braces. Aligners also require a high degree of patient discipline as you are required to wear your aligners for upwards of 20 hours a day in order to see results. You need to remove your aligners every time you eat or drink, which can be a difficult prospect for regular snackers and those who like to leisurely sip on a drink throughout the day. You also need to brush your teeth after every meal, snack or drink in order to prevent food particles from getting stuck in your aligners which can present a greater cavity risk.

We hope we have been able to convey the advantages and disadvantages of both types of treatment and hope that it will help you narrow down what treatment is right for you. If you have any questions regarding orthodontic treatment and which treatment option is right for you feel free to contact our office.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

When should a child have their first orthodontist appointment?

This is one of the key questions many parents have when considering their child’s dental health. Most dental experts recommend that a child’s first orthodontic checkup be performed by the age of 7. By age 7 a child has enough permanent teeth that an orthodontist can evaluate how the teeth and jaws are developing. With this information they can determine what sort of treatment is necessary or what treatment may be necessary in the future.

Why should a child receive early orthodontic treatment?

Early orthodontic treatment can help eliminate developing problems and help guide the jaw and facial bones to provide room for incoming permanent teeth. Problems that orthodontists may recommend for early treatment include underbites, crossbites, crowded teeth, excessive tooth gaps, extra or missing teeth, teeth that meet abnormally and thumb, finger or pacifier sucking that is affecting the growth of the teeth or jaw. Treatments can involve an orthodontic device, either fixed or removable, or may involve the extraction of baby teeth to help with the growth of permanent teeth.

These treatments ensure that a child will have a healthy smile moving into adulthood and can help head off developing problems before they occur often reducing or eliminating the need for invasive orthodontic treatment later in life. There is also an advantage in having orthodontic treatment performed before a child reaches the age where they start to be more concerned about their appearance in case they need visually obvious braces or other noticeable orthodontic devices.

We hope that we have been able to demonstrate why early orthodontic treatment can be beneficial to children and how it can help them have a healthy smile for the rest of their life. If you have any questions or concerns regarding early orthodontic care, feel free to contact our offices and speak to our friendly staff.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Wearing Invisalign trays for the long periods of time required by the treatment can make your mouth feel a little strange. At first you will experience minor discomfort and mild tenderness in the area, but that discomfort should go away in less than a week and in the future when you swap out for a new tray the discomfort should only last a day or two before your mouth acclimates to the feeling. The trays will also feel tight at first, as they are forcing your teeth to conform to a specific position, but they will grow looser over time as your teeth settle.

It might also feel strange to speak when you first start using Invisalign trays, with many patients finding that they experience a lisp during the first week of treatment. This can be alleviated by speaking as much as possible to get your mouth used to the trays. The removal and reinsertion of your Invisalign trays also have a bit of a learning curve but with practice it should quickly become second nature. This practice is important as you need to remove your Invisalign trays regularly to eat or drink.

Many patients find that they become more conscious of their eating habits while undergoing Invisalign treatment due to the need to stop and remove their trays before they take a bite, leading to less snacking and sipping throughout the day. You will also need to remove your trays for cleaning, something that should be done at least twice a day. We recommend cleaning your trays when you brush and floss your teeth in the morning and in the evening as combining the two activities can make the new addition to your routine easier to remember.

We hope that we have been able to provide you with a good understanding of what you may encounter when undergoing Invisalign treatment. If you are interested in Invisalign or other orthodontic services, please feel free to contact our office.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Invisalign is a popular alternative to braces that uses a series of clear retainers to gradually straighten your teeth over the course of your treatment. The treatment is usually quicker than traditional braces and can often be completed in less than 6 months. Invisalign retainers are also more comfortable than traditional braces as they are uniquely molded to fit your teeth. Your doctor will take a 3d scan of your teeth and use it to create a customized treatment plan that fits your needs. The retainers apply the right amount of force to your teeth in the right place and at the right time to straighten your teeth.

Each retainer is used for a set period before being exchanged for another retainer in the set. The retainers themselves are made of clear plastic and are virtually invisible when worn, hence the name Invisalign. Unlike traditional braces Invisalign retainers do not come with any dietary restrictions, you can eat and drink what you want during the treatment period because you can remove them while eating. The retainers are worn at all times during the treatment period and are only removed for eating, drinking and cleaning.

We hope that today’s blog has provided a clear picture of what Invisalign is and how it works, and we hope you will contact Dr. Hicks to discuss if Invisalign treatment is right for you.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Hawley Retainers

Probably the most well-known type of retainer, Hawley retainers are made of bendable wire paired with molded acrylic or plastic that fits to the top or bottom of your mouth. These retainers are easy to clean and long lasting if cared for correctly and can be made in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The primary disadvantages to Hawley retainers are their appearance and their interference with the patient’s speech.

Vacuum Formed or Essix Retainers

These retainers are made of clear plastic that is molded to conform directly to the shape of the patients’ teeth. These retainers are clear and nearly invisible and do not interfere with speech nearly as much as Hawley Retainers. They can easily be worn 24 hours a day but must be removed when eating. The downsides of these retainers are their lack of durability, they generally have a much shorter lifespan than their Hawley counterparts and are more difficult to clean. They also do not allow the teeth to naturally touch and can trap food or liquids if the teeth are not cleaned after eating and drinking.

Bonded or Fixed Retainers

This type of retainer involves brackets being bonded to the back of your teeth for long periods of treatment. These retainers require less cooperation from the patient as there is no removal or storage of the retainer, but they are not removable and can be more difficult to clean allowing plaque to more easily accumulate on teeth. Some orthodontists will use bonded retainers to begin the retainer process before switching to another, less permanent retainer option.

We hope this guide has given you a solid understanding of your retainer options and will assist you in determining which type of treatment is right for your teeth.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.

Two of the most prominent examples are ceramic braces and clear retainers (Invisalign), which have largely replaced old-school metal appliances. These new-age orthodontics are smaller and more discreet than their predecessors. Not only are the newer brackets less visible, but they also require less adjustment, which means fewer visits to the clinic, making orthodontic treatment more comfortable and convenient for patients.

How Orthodontics are Leveraging Technology for Better Treatment

Today’s tech-savvy orthodontic practitioners leverage innovative devices and methods to enhance the patient experience, making treatments quicker, safer, and more efficient.

For instance, 3D imaging allows specialists to obtain a comprehensive view of a patient’s oral structure without painful or invasive procedures. It illustrates precise images and measurements that outline teeth and jaw alignment, helping doctors develop highly customized treatment plans and better outcomes for patients.

Moreover, CAD/CAM technology (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) lets orthodontists design custom-made appliances, such as Invisalign aligners, enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficiency.

Innovations in technology have enhanced the functionality of orthodontic appliances and improved the overall patient experience. For example, advanced diagnostic tools enable practitioners to identify issues early on, leading to better preventive measures and less invasive treatments.

Technology’s role in modernizing orthodontics has been game-changing – rendering treatments more efficient, precise, patient-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing. As we move into an era dominated by digitization, we believe advanced tech will further revolutionize orthodontics, leading to exciting discoveries and developments.

The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.

If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.