The duration of orthodontic treatment can vary from patient to patient, influenced by factors such as age, compliance, and the severity of the issue under treatment. On average, treatment can take between 18 and 36 months, but some cases may be resolved in a shorter or longer period.
Generally, depending on the treatment, they can be anywhere for three to eight weeks apart, with typical appointments spaced at four-week intervals.
The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the severity of the case, the type of treatment (braces, aligners, etc.), the location of the practice, and the expertise of the orthodontist. A typical range for orthodontic treatment could start at $3,000 and go up to $10,000 or more. However, at York Orthodontics, we offer flexible financing options to make treatment more accessible.
When your teeth don’t fit properly together, it’s referred to as a malocclusion or bite problem that can lead to a range of issues. Bite problems often come with sensitivity or pain when biting down. Also, bite problems may cause headaches, neck aches, or even ear pain.
A deep bite characterized by excessive vertical overlap of the upper teeth over the lower teeth, indeed leads to serious consequences. Pain in jaw muscles and, in rare cases, difficulty in chewing and breathing are other consequences.
Leaving a deep bite untreated can have significant impacts, such as teeth and gum damage, excessive tooth wear, headaches, hearing, and digestive problems, as well as TMJ (temporomandibular) disorders.
- Class I Malocclusion: Minor issues like crowding or spacing with normal teeth alignment.
- Class II Malocclusion: Overbite where upper teeth significantly overlap lower teeth.
- Class III Malocclusion: Underbite where lower teeth protrude beyond upper teeth.
- Spaced or Overcrowded Teeth: Gaps or overlapping due to jaw size discrepancies.
- Open Bite & Crossbite: Issues with teeth alignment when the mouth is closed.
- Protruding Teeth & Midline Discrepancy: Misalignment affecting facial harmony.
The most common orthodontic problems include:
- Crowded Teeth
- Misplaced Teeth
- Block-out teeth
Is crossbite genetic?
Although genetics plays a great role, it’s important to recognize that environmental and behavioral factors also come into play. Prolonged pacifier use, nail-biting, poor chewing habits, thumb sucking, and delayed loss of primary teeth can all contribute to the development or worsening of a crossbite.
Underbite is primarily caused by genetics, jaw bone development, or injury. It can also result from certain childhood habits, such as thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting, which exert pressure on the teeth and jaws during development, leading to their misalignment.
No, a deep bite typically will not correct itself over time. It is a skeletal and dental discrepancy that, if left untreated, tends to persist and, in some cases, worsen. While it may not spontaneously resolve, certain habits (like tooth grinding) can influence the progression and severity of the issue, particularly in adults.
Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are the most effective yet discreet alternative for mild to moderate any types of misalignments. However, to achieve the optimal result, commitment to the treatment is necessary.
Invisalign is a set of aligners that provide you with an effective orthodontic treatment for your crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth. Invisalign offers you orthodontic treatment that is not noticeable because the aligners are transparent trays.
During your Invisalign treatment, you will be provided with a series of transparent aligners. Each aligner is designed to make small, gradual adjustments to position your teeth into a more desirable alignment. After two to three weeks, you will use the next set of aligners, which will continue to straighten your teeth in steps.
The treatment length will depend on the severity of your misalignment and can be determined by your orthodontist alone. However, on average, it takes about 13.5 months for adults.
Yes, they can be used as retainers.
The average cost of clear aligners, like Invisalign, ranges from $3,000 to $8,500.
4 Key Benefits of Invisalign:
- Invisible: Virtually undetectable, perfect for your lifestyle.
- Removable: Eat, drink, and maintain oral hygiene as usual.
- Comfortable: No metal brackets or wires to irritate your mouth.
- Predictable results: See your virtual treatment plan and outcome before starting..
- Required careful hygiene routine
- Not suitable for all kinds of misalignments
- Require consistent wearing, 20-22 hours per day
- More expensive compared to traditional braces
- Risk of losing aligners
- May cause temporary lisp or speech difficulties during the initial adaptation period.
- Can be damaged if bitten or chewed on.
Some people do experience temporary discomfort for just a few days at the start of each new stage of treatment. This is absolutely normal, and patients typically describe it as a feeling of pressure. It is one of the signs that your Invisalign aligner is working. This discomfort goes away in just a couple of days.
At York Orthodontics, we offer flexible payment plans, including weekly or monthly installments, to make Invisalign accessible for everyone. Moreover, we accept insurance and FSA contributions to help manage expenses.
Smoking is discouraged while wearing aligners because of the possibility of the aligners becoming discolored.
A moderate amount of alcohol is fine, as long as you take care to clean your teeth and the aligners soon after. The fact that alcoholic drinks contain moderate amounts of sugar makes it possible for sugar particles to get trapped between your aligners/teeth. The same principle applies for any sugary beverage.
If your misalignment is severe, Invisalign can’t be a good solution for your own condition. Moreover, if you have improperly shaped teeth, like a few misshapen teeth or very small teeth, Invisalign treatment can’t work for your case.
For some patients, the only way to achieve room in the mouth is to remove two or more teeth. Remember, it’s important for the face to look balanced, and with many patients when there is insufficient room, it requires one tooth to be removed on each side — sometimes four if there is overcrowding on both the top and bottom jaws.
Initially, braces can cause some discomfort, but this usually subsides as you adjust to the feeling of pressure. It’s common to experience some soreness, especially during the first few days. Occasionally, a broken wire may cause irritation to the cheeks, tongue, or gums, but this is easily fixed, and any discomfort can be managed with mild pain medication for a couple of days while the affected area heals.
No, it’s rarely ever too late to have your teeth straightened. In fact, if you have healthy teeth and gums, and your bone density is okay, you can expect the same best and lifetime results as those of younger individuals.
Generally, it’s best to wait for the child to have more permanent teeth before braces are put on; however, it’s never too early to get the orthodontist involved and begin following the development and growth of the child to determine the right time to begin the treatment with the braces.
That’s certainly possible with some children, and getting them into early treatment as early as possible may reduce long-term wearing of braces a few years later.
Yes, but that depends on the braces as well. Generally, sticky foods, such as taffy and caramel, should be completely avoided, along with most hard candies. Some raw vegetables that are crunchy can also be problematic, in addition to some nuts and hard fruits. Biting on ice is also not recommended.
Your teeth should be brushed more frequently while wearing the braces, and it’s recommended at least four times a day, certainly following every meal and before going to bed for the night. Flossing with braces is also recommended, but the orthodontist needs to show the patient the right procedure for doing this because it’s a little trickier with braces.
Absolutely! Regular dental checkups are crucial, and the dentist typically works with the orthodontist to determine the frequency of visits. In fact, the orthodontist often detects early signs of cavities or other issues and recommends a visit to the dentist
It’s different for every patient because every patient’s mouth requires different realignment. Not all dental insurance plans cover orthodontics, so check with the insurer. Most orthodontics offices, like York Orthodontics, have flexible financing plans available.
Orthodontic elastics, also known as rubber bands, are appliances used in orthodontics to correct various types of malocclusions. The duration of wearing elastics can vary from two weeks to several months, depending on the specific treatment plan and severity of the misalignment.
Yes, orthodontic elastics play an important role in orthodontic treatment and moving teeth and jaws into the proper alignment.
Like braces and aligners, orthodontic elastics move teeth gradually to avoid damaging the roots. On average, it takes 5-8 months for elastics to shift teeth into alignment, with a movement rate of 1-2 mm per month. However, this time varies depending on individual treatment needs, malocclusion type, and elastic wear frequency.
No, you should remove your elastics when brushing or flossing your teeth because elastics can trap food particles and plaque, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend that our patients carry extra elastics with them when they leave the house. If you’re running low on elastics, please contact our office to request a replacement.
A Maxillary Expander is an orthodontic appliance used to widen the upper jaw (maxilla) to correct issues such as a narrow upper jaw, crossbite, or crowding. It is typically used in children and adolescents, but can also be used in adults in some cases. The expander is usually made of metal or acrylic and is attached to the teeth using bands or brackets.
A Maxillary Expander works by applying gentle pressure to the upper jaw, gradually widening it over time. The expander is typically turned by the patient or parent using a special key, which activates the expander and applies pressure to the jaw. This pressure stimulates the bone to grow and expand, correcting issues such as a narrow upper jaw.
The length of time one needs to wear a Maxillary Expander varies from case to case. Typically, the standard duration is between 6 and 12 months; however, this can be adjusted based on the individual’s specific needs and the severity of their condition. Your orthodontist will carefully monitor your progress and provide personalized guidance on how long you should wear the expander to ensure the best possible outcome
Some patients may experience mild discomfort or pressure when the expander is first activated, but this typically subsides within a few days. To minimize discomfort, it’s essential to keep the expander in its safe position and avoid playing with it. If you experience persistent pain or discomfort, please contact your orthodontist for guidance.
Yes, you can eat normally with a Maxillary Expander, but it’s recommended to avoid sticky or hard foods that could damage the expander. Soft foods such as yogurt, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes are good options. Your orthodontist will provide guidance on what foods to avoid and how to care for your expander.
In most cases, tooth extraction is not necessary unless there are severe crowding issues or other specific goals for your orthodontic treatment, such as prioritizing aesthetics or functional improvements.
Tooth extractions are sometimes necessary to achieve the desired outcome of a harmonious and functional smile. This is especially true for those with severely crowded teeth; removing specific teeth can facilitate the alignment of the remaining teeth, creating a balanced smile.
An orthodontist may suggest tooth extraction at the beginning of treatment to create room for movement and proper alignment or during treatment to address issues that may arise, such as tooth decay or further crowding.
Yes, there are alternatives to consider. Expanders, for example, can be used to widen the jaw and create more space for teeth, reducing the need for extractions. Other alternatives include clear aligners or oral surgery to adjust the jaw, depending on the severity of the case.
Tooth extraction is generally safe when performed by an experienced dentist or oral surgeon, and it is a common procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are risks, including infection, nerve damage, dry socket, and prolonged bleeding.
Typically, after your braces off, your orthodontist may ask you to wear retainers to prevent teeth from shifting back into their original positions. We have 2 types of retainers: removable and fixed retainers.
Removable retainers:
- Hawley retainers: Can last several years but may need replacement eventually.
- Clear removable retainers: Typically, these retainers can last 5 years before needing replacement.
Fixed retainers:
- Some orthodontists may use bonded retainers attached to teeth for the first few months after the treatment.
For removable retainers, it’s recommended to take them out while eating to prevent potential damage. For fixed retainers, avoid eating hard or sticky foods to not dislodge the wire.
The duration of wearing retainers varies depending on your orthodontist’s instructions and the stage of your post-treatment. Our piece of advice is to follow your orthodontist’s recommendation to ensure the best and lifetime results.
The duration of wearing retainers varies depending on your orthodontist’s instructions and the stage of your post-treatment. Our piece of advice is to follow your orthodontist’s recommendation to ensure the best and lifetime results.
If your retainer feels tight, it might indicate that your teeth have slightly shifted. Our advice is to wear retainers as your orthodontist’s instruction to prevent tooth shifting. If the tightness causes discomfort or pain, contact your orthodontist.
- Initial period: Most orthodontists recommend wearing retainers full time (day and night) for at least 4-6 months after orthodontic treatment. Some may advise 24-hour wear for up to 5 months or even 8-10 months in cases of severe misalignment.
- Long-term wear: After the initial period, you’ll typically be instructed to wear retainers every night while sleeping. Some orthodontists may recommend wearing retainers 4-5 nights per week.
- Lifelong commitment: Most orthodontists advise continuing to wear retainer indefinitely, ideally a few nights a week. Even after years of successful retention, occasional wear (a few nights per week) is recommended to maintain the achieved alignment.
Most orthodontists recommend that anyone who has completed the Invisalign treatment should use a retainer to prevent teeth from slowly shifting back towards their starting position. Nevertheless, you can talk to your orthodontist about that beforehand.
While everyone has a different pain threshold, most people experience some level of discomfort during orthodontic treatment. The initial placement of braces or aligners can be uncomfortable, and each adjustment may cause soreness and pressure for a few days. However, over-the-counter pain medications and following aftercare instructions can help manage this discomfort effectively.