Attention all tooth-havers! It's time to brush up on the difference between dentists and orthodontists. Why should you care? Because knowledge is power, and power leads to a winning smile!
Let's start with dentists. These are your go-to doctors for everything teeth and gums. Fillings, cleanings, cavities - dentists have got you covered. They're like the GPs of the mouth. Sure, they may not get your heart racing, but they provide the baseline dental care we all need. Dentists are there for all your routine dental checkups and procedures. They can take x-rays, clean your teeth, fill cavities, and treat gum disease. You see your trusty dentist twice a year for cleanings to keep your smile sparkling.
Now onto orthodontists - the Connor McDavids of the dental world. Orthodontists specialize in aligning and straightening teeth. Basically, they take disorganized chompers and whip them into photoshoot-ready shape. Braces, retainers, aligners - you name it, orthodontists are the experts. They live for the thrill of the tooth straightening hunt. While your dentist keeps your mouth healthy, orthodontists focus on the aesthetics and alignment of your teeth. They use appliances like braces and Invisalign to gradually shift your teeth into the desired positions over time. An orthodontist is who you call when you want to transform your smile.
While dentists and orthodontists work closely together, there's a reason you don't see your dentist offering up metal wires and rubber bands. Orthodontics requires years of extra schooling and training beyond general dentistry. Orthodontists complete 2-3 years of additional education after dental school to specialize in movable appliances. So while your dentist may recommend you see an orthodontist, they aren't qualified to move your teeth themselves.
The next time you're in the chair wondering whether you're dealing with a dentist or orthodontist, remember - dentists are the Joes keeping your mouth healthy day-to-day, while orthodontists are the Special Forces called in when teeth need serious straightening out! With their powers combined, you're on track for a mouth that dazzles!
Teens. To say the least, they’re definitely something. So you took your teen into an orthodontic consultation for their teeth and were informed they should probably look into getting braces.
Before you even looked at them, you could feel the eye roll building up.
“Not going to happen. I don’t want them.”
The dreaded response, now you might be wondering how you can convince them with as little resistance as possible. But how can you do it? Well let us walk you through some of our tips on how to convince your teen how to get braces.
1. Talk with them first
The first thing you should do is find out why they’re apprehensive about getting braces. Many teenagers worry about their appearance, the length of treatment and what their friends will think. Finding out what exactly what is making them so uncomfortable is the first step in helping alleviate their worries.
If your teen is worried about..
What their friends will think
Remind them that many other kids their age have braces. Reference their friends, teachers or even celebrities they look up too to help them understand braces is a common thing and more than likely their friends will adjust to their new appearance quickly.
How long they will have to wear braces for
On average braces will be on your teen for around 24 months, now that may sound like a long time but the time literally flies by (and no we’re not just saying that). Many of our patients say the time in braces felt a lot shorter than it was.
They don’t want to be a metal mouth
Oh, long are the days of ugly braces! Kindly inform your teen there are plenty of options when it comes to choosing the appearance of their braces. Of course, the original metal bracket look will still be there but there are also many other options for them to choose from. Advances in orthodontics have created a variety of different appeared braces.
Some alternatives include:
2. It’s either now or later, there’s no escaping
When it comes to orthodontic issues like — crossbite, underbite, overbite, crowded teeth or crooked teeth — they’re not going to just disappear overnight.
It’s important to make sure your teen knows that just because they don’t like some aspect of getting braces doesn’t mean that their problem ends there. Having a straight, healthy smile will prevent further damage and fix current problems.
An orthodontist can help fix:
Sometimes issues with your teeth can lead to other non-medical issues, when you fix your teeth it also can alleviate some of the following:
The sooner you teen gets in their braces, the sooner they’ll be out.
3. Healthy teeth require less dental visits
When we say “less dental visits,'' we don’t mean your teen gets a pass to missing routine checkups. While in orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist will check your teen’s teeth to make sure there is no food building up, also while in the chair the orthodontist will evaluate how your teen is cleaning and make recommendations to help keep their teeth in the best possible care.
Having this discussion with your teen about straightening their teeth with braces is important. Making sure their on board is one of the best way to have a easy treatment.
Are you facing some attachment issues with your Invisalign? No worries, we've got your back! It's common to feel a bit challenged when putting in or taking out aligners with those sneaky attachments, but fear not - we've got some tips to make the process a breeze!
Now, Let's Get 'Em In
When inserting your aligners, it's important to start with your front teeth and work your way to the back. Once the tray is fully covering your teeth, use your thumbs to seat them firmly. If you still feel your Invisalign isn't 100% seated, use your chewies to seat them all the way.
It's important to remember NEVER BITE YOUR ALIGNERS INTO PLACE! This can cause the tray to bend or worse, break. No bitey, use chewies instead. We don't want you looking like a hockey player with a missing tooth!
It's also important to not force your aligners in. If your aligner isn't fitting right or feels funny, it may have folded. If this happens, take your aligner out and gently unfold the area back outwards before trying again. Forcing it is a recipe for disaster (and potentially a very expensive one).
Let's Get 'Em Out
Now for removing your aligners, you want to do the reverse: instead of starting at the front, you're going to start at the back and work your way to the front. You want to take your finger and "flick" the tray downwards. This will release the tray and make it easier to get a hold of. Repeat this on both sides of your mouth, once you feel the tray has been released, grab both sides and gently pull down and forward over each tooth.
Like most things in life, excessive force is never necessary. If you try to forcibly remove your aligner, you could tear the aligner or even break off attachments on your teeth. And let's be real, no one wants to be that person at the orthodontist's office.
Pro-tip Alert:
For an easier removal process, aim for a drier mouth. Try not to sip on any drinks right before taking out your aligners for a smoother experience.
So there you have it - mastering the art of inserting and removing your Invisalign is all about finesse, patience, and a sprinkle of know-how. Say goodbye to attachment woes and hello to a seamless Invisalign journey!
Every parent wants their child to grow up confident and smiling. But misaligned teeth can quietly get in the way — affecting everything from self-esteem to dental health. Here's what causes crooked teeth in children, how it can affect them, and what to do about it.
The most common cause of crooked teeth is genetics. If you or your partner needed braces or other orthodontic work growing up, your child has a significantly higher chance of needing it too.
Other common causes include:
Kids with visibly crooked teeth are often more self-conscious about their smile. This can show up as:
Research consistently links improved dental appearance with higher self-esteem and stronger social confidence in children and adolescents. A straighter smile isn't just cosmetic — it can directly shape how comfortable a child feels being themselves.
Beyond confidence, misaligned teeth create real oral health challenges:
The Canadian Orthodontic Association recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if a child still has baby teeth. Early evaluation doesn't always mean early treatment — but it means catching potential issues while they're easiest and least invasive to correct.
You don't need a referral from your dentist to book this visit.
What age should a child first see an orthodontist? The Canadian Orthodontic Association recommends age 7 at the latest, even if the child still has baby teeth.
What causes crooked teeth in kids? Genetics is the leading cause. Prolonged pacifier use, thumb-sucking, mouth breathing, and injury to the mouth can also contribute.
Do crooked teeth actually affect a child's confidence? Yes. Studies show a link between dental appearance and self-esteem, and many kids with crooked teeth smile less and feel more self-conscious in social settings.
Do I need a referral to see an orthodontist? No, most orthodontic evaluations don't require a dentist referral.
