FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
At Nilgar Dental and Orthodontic Clinic, we’re here to guide you through all your orthodontic needs, including braces, clear aligners, and other treatments. Our FAQ section provides detailed answers to common questions about the differences between braces and clear aligners, the benefits of each, and how orthodontic care can improve your smile.
Before getting braces we need a cleaning and check-up. In addition, let your orthodontist know of any allergies you have, especially any allergies to metals including nickel.
The day you get braces, eat as usual. Teeth must be clean, so brush and floss thoroughly after eating.
A retractor will be placed in the mouth to keep the mouth open comfortably. This will also help to keep the mouth as dry as possible. The tooth surface will be etched with a mild solution. After a few seconds, the tooth will be rinsed. Then, a special adhesive will go on each tooth, and the bracket will be added on top of the adhesive. Excess adhesive will be removed, and the rest will be “cured” with a special light. After all of the brackets have been placed and the adhesive has been cured, the orthodontic wire will be threaded through the slots in the brackets. Depending on the type of braces you are getting, the wire can be held to the tooth using a clip that is built into the bracket (“self-ligating” braces), or by a series of a tiny rubber bands called “ligatures,” which come in many colors. At the end of the appointment, we will explain how to brush and floss with braces, review what foods to avoid (hard, sticky and chewy) so braces are not broken, and what to do if you experience any difficulties with your braces. This is a great time to ask any questions about the care of your new braces. For the duration of treatment, make sure to limit your intake of sugary or acidic drinks to avoid decalcification.
It takes approximately 60-120 minutes.
No, getting braces applied does not cause discomfort.
Yes. At first, you may want to consider foods that require little or no chewing such as soup, pudding, mashed potatoes, ice cream, etc. As you become more accustomed to your braces, chewing will become easier.
Expect some mild discomfort for the first few days. This is temporary and can be relieved by rinsing with warm salt water, or by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Cold soft foods such as ice cream and pudding are helpful as well.
You should be fine going to work or school and taking part in your usual activities.
We will brief you on brushing, flossing, toothpaste, rinses, other hygiene tools, as well as foods to enjoy and foods to avoid.
The day you get aligners, eat as usual. Just brush and floss thoroughly after eating.
A retractor will be placed in the mouth to keep the mouth open comfortably. This will also help to keep the mouth as dry as possible. Next, so that attachments bond to the tooth enamel, the tooth surface will be etched with a mild solution. After a few seconds, the tooth will be rinsed. Then, a special adhesive will go in the aligner trays and they will be placed on the teeth and cured with a special light. After all of the attachments have been placed and the adhesive has been cured, any excess adhesive will be removed. Your first aligners will snap into place. Your orthodontist will demonstrate how to put your aligners in and take them out. When you first put a set in, they won’t be an exact fit. They’ll be off by just a fraction of a millimetre. But that’s the idea – so that your teeth move to fit the aligner. They’ll be a little tight at first, and then start to loosen up.
You should be in and out of the office within an hour.
No, getting aligners will not cause discomfort.
We will probably give you a few sets of aligners, and instruct you to wear a set for one to two weeks before changing to the next set. You will get additional sets of aligners when you see our orthodontist at your routine appointment.
We will probably give you a few sets of aligners, and instruct you to wear a set for one to two weeks before changing to the next set. You will get additional sets of aligners when you see our orthodontist at your routine appointment.
Yes. At first, you may want to consider foods that require little or no chewing such as soup, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce, ice cream, etc.
Expect some discomfort for the first few days. This is temporary and can be relieved by rinsing with warm salt water, or by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. It may be tempting to take out your aligners if you feel uncomfortable. They can only move teeth when they are in your mouth.
You should be fine going to work or school and taking part in your usual activities the day you get your aligners.
Our orthodontist will brief you on brushing, flossing, toothpaste, rinses and other hygiene tools for your teeth, as well as any special instructions on cleaning your aligners. If you eat or drink anything besides tap water, remove your aligners first. Put them in their case, and put the case in a safe place. After you are done drinking or eating, brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in.
You are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist considers many variables when developing your customized treatment plan, but age is rarely a deciding factor.
Teeth and jaws that are properly aligned are easier to keep clean through brushing and flossing. Correcting the bite (how the upper and lower teeth fit together) reduces improper forces placed on the teeth and improves your ability to bite and chew and improves the odds of keeping your teeth long-term.
Depending on what is missing, we choose to move neighbouring teeth together to close the space where the tooth is missing or hold open a space for a bridge or implant. Your orthodontist will work with other dental specialists.
The ads may have been for veneers, which are thin, tooth-colored shells that are glued to the fronts of teeth. But they do not alter an improper arrangement of teeth – they just cover up the problem. Veneers are easier to place and last longer when teeth are straight, and the bite has been corrected.
Today’s 25-year-old has the potential of another 75 years of keeping and using their teeth. Orthodontic treatment is often part of a comprehensive dental healthcare plan. With good care, including orthodontic treatment when necessary, teeth can last a lifetime.
The purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy, functional “bite,” which is part tooth alignment and part jaw position. When jaws and teeth line up correctly, they are able to function as nature intended. This promotes oral health and general physical health. That orthodontic treatment also brings about an attractive smile is an added bonus.
Orthodontic treatment will help your child bite and chew, and contribute to clear speech. When teeth function properly, they tend to look nice. An attractive smile is a pleasant side effect of orthodontic treatment, and can have emotional benefits. Self-confidence and self-esteem may improve as orthodontic treatment brings teeth, lips and face into proportion. Straight teeth are less prone to decay, gum disease and injury.
There’s much more to orthodontic treatment than meets the eye. An improved appearance is the most obvious result. But when teeth and jaws are in alignment, it means function (biting, chewing, speaking) is improved, too. The beautiful smile that results from orthodontic treatment is the outward sign of good oral health, and sets the stage for the patient’s overall well-being. Orthodontic treatment plays a larger role in healthcare than is generally realized.
Most orthodontic problems are inherited. Some are “acquired,” developing over time by sucking the thumb or fingers, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, or early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents and poor nutrition. Sometimes an inherited orthodontic problem is complicated by an acquired problem.
Unfortunately, your child’s teeth will not straighten out as he or she grows. The space available for the permanent front teeth does not increase as one grows. For most people, after the permanent (12 year) molars come in, there is even less space available for the front teeth. Untreated orthodontic problems can become worse, and more difficult to treat as a child gets older. Untreated problems may lead to tooth decay, gum disease, broken front teeth and loss of bone tissue that holds teeth in place.
There is not one “right” chronological age for orthodontic treatment. Ideally, children should have an orthodontic evaluation no later than the age of 7. But there is an ideal time to begin treatment for an individual who needs it. Timing is determined by the type of problem that the child has or may be developing, and the child’s stage of dental development. Some patients may require tooth movement only, while others may need help with guiding the growth of their jaws, or to correct a sucking habit or abnormal swallowing pattern that can re-shape the bone.
Around age 7, children have a mix of baby (primary) and permanent teeth. A check-up as permanent teeth take the place of baby teeth, and as the face and jaws are growing, gives the orthodontist a wealth of information. If a problem exists, or if one is developing, our orthodontist is able to advise you on whether treatment is recommended, when it should begin, what form treatment will take, and estimate its length.
Remember, there is a difference between an orthodontic check-up and actually starting orthodontic treatment. Only a few orthodontic problems will need correction around age 7. Even so, not all treatment is done using braces. In the event that a problem is detected, chances are your orthodontist will take a “wait-and-see” approach, and will check your child’s growth and development periodically. If treatment is needed, it can begin at the appropriate age for your child.
If your child is older than 7, it is not too late for a check-up. Should treatment be needed, keep in mind that many patients begin treatment between the ages of 9 and 16, depending on their physiological development and treatment needs. Orthodontists are usually able to treat most conditions successfully.
No. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, could make correction of some orthodontic problems more difficult. Some things cannot be accomplished once the face and jaws are no longer growing.
Orthodontists are specialists in orthodontic care, unlike general and paediatric dentists, those who wish to become orthodontists must continue their education after dental school, and successfully complete a three-year course of study in orthodontics at an accredited orthodontic post graduate program. This extra education qualifies them as specialists in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopaedics. As specialists, orthodontists specialize in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of orthodontic problems. While there is some instruction regarding orthodontics in dental school, it is minimal. It is in the post-dental school orthodontic post graduate program that orthodontists receive intense instruction to learn proper, safe tooth movement (orthodontics) and the guidance of dental, jaw and facial development (dentofacial orthopaedics). These extra years of school make the orthodontist the specialist in moving teeth and aligning jaws. Orthodontists are uniquely qualified, by virtue of education and scope of practice, as experts who have the skills and experience to give your child a healthy and beautiful smile.
The length of your treatment depends on your bite problem, age, response to treatment, and cooperation with wearing your appliances as advised.
Your Perfect Smile Awaits
Why wait any longer to achieve the confident, radiant smile you’ve always wanted? Schedule your appointment with Nilgar Dental and Orthodontic Clinic today, and let our expert team guide you on the path to healthier teeth and a brighter future!
