What Is Orthodontics?

There are many advantages to well-aligned teeth, including easier cleaning, better oral hygiene, clearer speech and a more pleasant smile. Though orthodontic treatment can be effective at any age, the American Dental Association suggests that an orthodontic assessment should be performed around the age of seven. The earlier orthodontic treatment begins, the more quickly the problem can be successfully resolved.

What Problems Can Be Treated with Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a versatile branch of dentistry that can be used alone, or in combination with maxillofacial or cosmetic dentistry.

Here are some of the common conditions treated with orthodontics:

• Anteroposterior deviations – The discrepancy between a pair of closed jaws is known as an anteroposterior discrepancy or deviation. An example of such a discrepancy would be an overbite (where the upper teeth are further forward than the lower teeth), or an underbite (where the lower teeth are further forward then the upper teeth).
• Overcrowding – Overcrowding is a common orthodontic problem. It occurs when there is an insufficient space for the normal growth and development of adult teeth.
• Aesthetic problems – A beautiful straight smile may be marred by a single misaligned tooth. This tooth can be realigned with ease and accuracy by the orthodontist. Alternatively, orthodontists can also work to reshape and restructure the lips, jaw or the face.

Orthodontic Treatment Options Available in Waterloo

Orthodontics is a technologically advanced field which offers many sophisticated solutions to malocclusions and other cosmetic problems. The orthodontist will generally perform a visual examination, panoramic x-rays and study models (bite impressions) in order to assess the exact nature of the discrepancy.

When a diagnosis has been made, there are a variety of orthodontic treatment options available.

Here is an overview of some of the most common treatments:

• Fixed orthodontic braces – A metal or ceramic dental base is affixed to each tooth, and a dental wire is inserted through each base. The orthodontist is able to gradually train the teeth into proper alignment by regularly adjusting the wire. When the desired results are achieved, the fixed dental braces are completely removed.
• Removable appliances – There are a wide range of removable appliances commonly used in orthodontics, including headgear that correct overbites, Hawley retainers that improve the position of the teeth even as the jawbone reforms, and facemasks which are used to correct an underbite.
• Invisalign® – This is a newer, removable type of dental aligner that is completely transparent. Invisalign® does not interfere with eating because of its removable nature, and mechanically works in the same way as the traditional metal dental braces. Not all patients are candidates for Invisalign®.

If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontics, please contact our office.

An Overview of the Field

What Orthodontics Is and How It Works

Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the alignment of teeth and the bite. Orthodontists are dental specialists who have completed additional years of post-doctoral training focused on tooth movement, jaw growth, and bite correction. General dentists can also provide orthodontic treatment for straightforward cases, while complex cases (severe skeletal issues, treatment combined with jaw surgery, very young or medically complex patients) typically benefit from orthodontist care.

The biology of orthodontic treatment is simple in concept. Teeth sit in sockets in the jaw bone, held in place by ligaments that connect the tooth root to the bone. When sustained gentle pressure is applied to a tooth, the body responds by remodeling bone on one side (resorbing bone where the tooth is being moved into) and laying down new bone on the other side (filling in behind the tooth as it moves). This process happens slowly — typically about one millimetre of movement per month — which is why orthodontic treatment takes months to years rather than days.

Different appliances achieve this in different ways. Traditional braces use small brackets bonded to each tooth, connected by an archwire that delivers force in specific directions. Clear aligners use a series of clear plastic trays that each apply slightly different pressure than the last, gradually moving teeth into position. Other appliances (palatal expanders, headgear, lingual braces) address specific issues that fall outside what brackets-and-wires or aligners can do.

What Treatment Looks Like Over Time

Most orthodontic treatment progresses through three phases. The first phase involves placing the appliances and the initial movement of teeth toward their target positions. This typically lasts six to twelve months and is when teeth shift the most visibly. The second phase refines the alignment and bite — teeth that are roughly in position need fine-tuning to interdigitate correctly with the opposing teeth. This usually takes six to twelve more months. The third phase is detail work — final position adjustments, root angle corrections, and bite refinement — taking three to six months.

During active treatment, visits happen every six to eight weeks. At each visit the orthodontist or general dentist evaluates progress, makes adjustments to wires or hands over the next set of aligners, addresses any concerns, and refines the plan if needed. Patients are responsible for daily care — brushing carefully around appliances, avoiding foods that could damage brackets or be trapped under aligners, and wearing aligners or elastics consistently as instructed.

After active treatment ends, the retention phase begins. Retainers hold the teeth in their new positions while the bone and ligaments fully stabilize. Without retainers, teeth gradually drift back toward their original positions. Most patients wear retainers full-time for the first three to six months after appliances come off, then transition to nighttime wear long-term. The retention phase has no end date — some form of nighttime retainer wear continues indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a general dentist and an orthodontist?

Both are dentists. An orthodontist has completed additional years of post-doctoral training in tooth movement, jaw growth, and bite correction, plus has an RCDSO Certificate of Specialty in orthodontics. General dentists can provide orthodontic treatment for straightforward cases; orthodontists typically handle more complex cases.

How does tooth movement actually work?

When sustained gentle pressure is applied to a tooth (by braces or aligners), the body remodels bone — resorbing bone where the tooth is moving into and laying down new bone behind it. This natural biological process happens slowly, about one millimetre per month, which is why treatment takes months to years.

Will my teeth feel loose during treatment?

Slightly, especially after adjustments. The ligaments holding each tooth in place are being actively remodeled, which makes teeth feel a bit looser than normal. This is normal and resolves as treatment ends and bone fully stabilizes around the teeth in their new positions.

Do braces hurt?

Most patients describe some pressure or tightness for one to three days after each adjustment, especially in the first week of treatment. Over-the-counter pain medication helps if needed. Pain is usually mild rather than significant, and decreases as treatment progresses.

Can my general dentist do my braces?

For many straightforward cases, yes. For complex cases, an orthodontist's additional training is valuable. We are honest about what we can handle and when an orthodontist is the better choice.

How long do retainers need to be worn?

Long-term — usually for life in some form. Most patients move from full-time wear after treatment ends to nighttime-only wear within a year. Retainers wear out every few years and are replaced; the habit of wearing them at night does not have an end date.