People often think of braces or retainers when they think about Stittsville, ON orthodontics. But an orthodontist has many other things to offer besides these two treatment options. Dr. Ami Barakat of Villanova Dental Studio discusses orthodontic appliances and whether one can help you with your orthodontic problems.

What is an Orthodontic Appliance?

Technically braces and retainers fall into the realm of orthodontic appliances. But there are various other devices that are placed in the mouth for early intervention in children or to assist with braces for teens and adults. If you’re someone that’s going to need comprehensive orthodontic treatment or two-phase treatment, you’re more likely to have an orthodontic device in your treatment plan.

Palatal Expander

A palatal expander is a typical device for a younger patient. Sometimes, the palate is underdeveloped or developed too small to make room for healthy tooth development. If there are issues where your upper jaw doesn’t line up right with the lower one, this can help with that as well. It’s a common device to make sure that the teeth are going to be aligned properly.

Functional Appliances

Functional appliances come in both fixed or removable forms. They’re designed to make sure the jaw and teeth develop normally. If your child has dental problems from sucking their thumb or using a pacifier, one of these devices will most likely be used to fix it. When a fixed appliance is the best option, we’ll help the parent and child with effective methods to ensure good oral hygiene with the appliance.

Sagittal Appliances

This is kind of similar to a palatal expander. It aims to make sure that the upper jaw arch is expanded enough to allow healthy, normal tooth development. A sagittal appliance will slowly widen the upper arch until it’s at the right size for healthy adult teeth to erupt.

Devices for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism is teeth grinding and clenching that often occurs during sleep. While it’s most commonly caused by stress, it can also be caused by a condition called TMJ or a misaligned bite. With children, it’s usually caused by irritation, allergies, or misaligned teeth. It’s something we would keep an eye on as they grow. Orthodontic help may be needed to treat bruxism, depending on how their adult teeth emerge.

If the bruxism problem continues after their teeth are fully developed or it’s an adult patient, we offer a full slate of orthodontic treatment for TMJ and bruxism. Dr. Barakat will analyze your bite and determine if orthodontic treatment can correct the misalignment.

Getting Orthodontics in Stittsville, Ontario

Would you or your child benefit from getting an orthodontic appliance? Call us today or schedule a consultation online.