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.

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.

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.

This is because your smile is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors that impact the alignment of teeth and jaw bones. For instance, thumb-sucking during childhood can dictate tooth spacing and jaw size. Additionally, a cleft lip and palate can develop when we are fetuses which can lead to difficulties breathing and eating.

Personalized attention from an orthodontist ensures that these unique conditions are accounted for when devising a treatment plan. This level of care and attention is crucial because it allows for precise adjustments that align with individual needs, leading to efficient treatment with more successful outcomes.

Optimal Results Through Targeted Treatment

Personalized orthodontic treatment plans are essential to achieving the best results because they address the unique structural issues of each patient’s mouth.

For instance, a plan for correcting crooked teeth might include clear aligners focused solely on straightening, whereas jaw misalignment could require a more complex strategy involving braces that correct bite discrepancies and possibly additional orthodontic surgery.

Even in cases where patients suffer from a similar ailment, treatment time, and equipment can differ significantly.

As you can see, by customizing treatments, orthodontists ensure that each individual receives the most effective route toward optimal oral health.

Contact Dr Bryan Hicks Orthodontics clinic today if you require compassionate and personalized orthodontic care in North Vancouver.

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.

Early orthodontic assessments are more than just a means to a beautiful smile; they identify potential problems and set the foundation for a lifetime of excellent oral health.

During an orthodontic assessment, an orthodontist studies the mouth to assess the structure of your bite, alignment of your jaw, and placement of teeth, and gums. With this information, they can determine whether orthodontics is necessary and the best plan for the long-term well-being of your child’s oral health.

By catching anomalies in alignment and positioning early, orthodontists can help guide facial development and teeth placement. This preventative approach might mean your child avoids more invasive or extended treatments later in life.

A Parent’s Role in Empowering Your Child’s Best Smile

As a parent, you are the frontline observer of your child’s developmental milestones, including those related to dental health. Overseeing good oral hygiene, scheduling regular dental checkups, and watching for bad habits like thumb-sucking is pivotal.

It’s up to you to recognize potential problems and seek expert advice. If you are unsure about anything, an early consultation with Dr. Hicks could mean a world of difference for your child’s future dental health.

When concerns arise about your child’s oral development or you want to take a proactive approach, Dr. Bryan Hicks and our team are here to guide you through every step—because every child deserves to smile with confidence.

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.

Having a healthy and vibrant smile has always been an attractive feature, and during ancient Egyptian times, they would use animal parts, and metals (such as gold) to strengthen and fill in teeth in preparation for the afterlife.

The Etruscans also used primitive methods such as using gold bands for fixing loose teeth, with notable figures such as Hippocrates and Aristotle documenting the irregularities, treatment, and recovery in one of the earliest instances of modern orthodontics.

Braces Continue to Evolve Overtime

Christophe-Francois Delabarre created the first pair of modern braces, which were a specially woven wire fitted over teeth to achieve the force and pull needed to straighten them. Over time, braces improved, with the materials shifting from woven wire to metallic wire, brackets, ties, bands, and coils.

Invisalign is one of the most recent innovations in orthodontics and was first introduced in 1997. As a highly sought-after alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign consists of clear aligners that are virtually invisible and allow patients to discreetly undergo orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontics is More Widespread Than Ever

In ancient civilizations, braces and straight teeth were considered status symbols and reserved for nobility. However, thanks to the continually improving technology behind braces, finding a treatment for your specific solution is easier than ever.

At Dr. B Hicks Orthodontists, we offer multiple treatment options, compassionate care, and experienced advice. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about orthodontics.

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.

Your aftercare changes will noticeably impact your eating and cleaning routine. While this may seem inconvenient at first, the aftercare treatment plays an essential role in ensuring the health of your teeth and the effectiveness of your treatment.

Consistent Cleaning Protects Your Teeth

Flossing and brushing are crucial components of everyday dental care and should be done daily, regardless of if you are wearing orthodontics. However, it is especially vital for those with braces, as the brackets, wires, and elastics can make you susceptible to cavities.

When you eat with braces, bits of food can get caught between the wire or behind your bracket, making you susceptible to stains, gum infections, and tooth decay.

Adjusting your cleaning routine to account for these areas plays a critical role in supporting the health of your teeth while wearing braces.

Aftercare Shortens Treatment Time

The main benefit of orthodontic aftercare is a shorter treatment time. By consistently cleaning your teeth and eating to right foods, you minimize the chance of complications and ensure your teeth remain clean and healthy during treatment.

Any cavities or missed orthodontist appointments can delay treatment time and prolong the duration that braces are needed. Following the aftercare plan may take some adjustments, but it is worth the effort, as it will protect your teeth and shorten treatment time.

At Dr. B Hicks, our team is here to support your treatment, and we provide compassionate orthodontic treatment guides for all our patients.

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.