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Orthodontic Braces

Braces are more streamlined and comfortable than ever. We offer a selection of braces styles to suit the needs of children, teens, and adults in Georgetown and Orangeville.

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Braces for a Healthier Bite & Straighter Smile

Traditional orthodontic braces are a time-tested method for straightening teeth – orthodontists have been using them for decades to improve the health and appearance of smiles.

Braces are relatively simple devices made up of three basic elements: brackets, a flexible archwire, and sometimes elastic bands. 

The brackets are fixed to the fronts of the teeth and hold the archwire in place. The archwire controls the amount of pressure on the teeth, moving them into the desired positions. Elastic bands are used to apply more force in specific directions, helping to correct the alignment of the jaws.

Braces are a reliable and highly versatile orthodontic treatment option. They can be used to correct many different types of orthodontic issues in children, teens and adults of all ages.

Today's braces also come in a number of streamlined options that provide a cleaner, lower-profile look for those with aesthetic concerns.

Types of Braces Life with Braces

Braces in Georgetown and Orangeville

Flexible Payment Plans

At Meldrum Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to a healthy smile. We will work with you to create a payment plan that fits your budget so you will know what to expect before treatment begins.

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Types of Braces at Meldrum Orthodontics

Every patient and every smile is unique. The type of braces that are best for you will depend on a number of factors, including your specific orthodontic condition, your lifestyle and your budget.

Traditional Metal Braces

Traditional metal braces are known for their efficacy, durability, and affordability. This orthodontic treatment has been in use the longest. With this style of braces, metal brackets are affixed to the teeth, with archwires threaded through them to guide teeth into their prescribed positions. Elastic ties or metal wires hold the archwire in place.

The wires are usually made of metal alloys, and have been optimized to provide just the right amount of force to straighten the teeth and also be as comfortable as possible for the patient.

Translucent Braces

'Translucent' is a bit of a misnomer in that these braces are not actually see-through – they just blend in. Rather than metal, the brackets are made from a tooth-coloured ceramic that matches the colour of your teeth, creating a transparent effect and making them less visible to others than standard metal braces.

While translucent, ceramic braces are a great option for many, they're not ideal for everyone. These braces aren't as strong as metal braces, so there are some orthodontic conditions that are better resolved with traditional metal braces.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces use a mechanism built into the bracket to hold the arch wire in place, instead of elastics or wires. This gives them a lower profile and sleeker look than traditional braces, and it also makes them easier to clean and more comfortable to wear for some patients.

Self-ligating braces tend to be more expensive than traditional braces, and they may not be covered by insurance. If cost is a concern, traditional braces may be a better choice for certain patients.

Coloured Braces

Coloured braces are the ultimate in personalized orthodontic style! With coloured braces, the archwire is held firmly in place by tiny modules (elastic bands) that come in a wide variety of colours. 

These little elastics are changed every four to six weeks as your braces are adjusted. This means that every few weeks, you can change the colour of your braces to match the season, your mood, your favourite sports team or the rainbow!

Life with Braces

Braces take some getting used to at first, but you'll develop new routines in no time. Below are some of the main aspects of braces life that will affect you on a day-to-day basis throughout your treatment.

  • Adjustments

    Adjustments are an essential part of orthodontic treatment with braces. About every four to eight weeks, you'll visit our office to have your braces adjusted. This will help keep teeth moving according to your treatment plan.

    You may feel some discomfort in the hours or days after your adjustment appointments as your mouth adjusts. This discomfort is temporary, and best managed with over-the-counter painkillers.

  • Elastics

    Elastics, also called rubber bands, are used with traditional braces to apply additional force to certain areas of your mouth to guide tooth movement. They are a key part of your treatment.

    Elastics do not maintain their strength for long, though, and need to be changed out at least twice a day. Many of our patients find that making it a habit to change their elastics after each meal makes it easier to remember.

    Always follow your orthodontist's instructions regarding your elastics. Contact our office if you find that your elastics break frequently, or if the hook for your elastics breaks off.

  • Hygiene

    Good oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have braces. Braces create all sorts of small spaces and crevices where plaque can build up, leading to tooth discolouration, tooth decay, and gum disease.

    To keep your teeth and gums healthy during your braces treatment, be sure to brush after each meal using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You might want to try Proxabrush. It is a specially shaped toothbrush designed to clean out the spaces between braces. You can also use a Waterpik or air flosser to help flush out stubborn food particles.

    You should also floss frequently. This is easier than you might expect. You can just feed the floss down through the space between the archwire and your teeth. Pull the end gently towards the back of the tooth and draw the floss up and down between the teeth.

  • Eating

    Unfortunately, undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces will mean having to say no to a few foods you may be fond of.

    Foods that you'll need to avoid include chewy or sticky foods (like caramel or licorice), hard or crunchy foods (hard candies, nuts, or whole raw vegetables), and foods you have to bite into (like corn on the cob or apples). You'll also need to avoid sugary drinks.

    Cutting food into small pieces and chewing slowly and carefully will allow you to enjoy a wider variety of foods during your treatment, but always defer to your orthodontist's recommendations.

  • Mouth Guards

    Are you an athlete worried about how braces will affect your sporting aspirations? Have no fear! Unless you're a boxer or MMA athlete, in most cases, there's no reason for braces to stop you from playing the sports you love. But if you want to continue getting out on the field, court, or rink during your treatment, it's super important to wear a sports mouth guard to protect your teeth, your mouth, and the braces themselves from damage.

  • Retainers

    After your active orthodontic treatment with braces (or Invisalign) is complete, you'll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in their new, straightened positions while the jaw bone around their roots reforms and hardens.

    To start, you'll likely need to wear your retainer for at least 12 hours a day, every day, during the first eight weeks or so after braces. After that time, once your teeth have begun to settle into their new positions, your orthodontist may say it's ok just to wear your retainer night.

Questions About Braces? We've Got Answers.

If you're considering orthodontic treatment with braces, you likely have some questions. Get started by reading our braces FAQs to learn more about how they work, and their benefits.