GD Orthodontics: Types of Orthodontics in Mississauga
Discover a world of orthodontic solutions at GD Orthodontics, Mississauga. From traditional braces to Invisalign® and surgical options, we tailor treatments to fit your lifestyle, health, confidence, and smile. Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Girish Deshpande, our certified orthodontist.
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Beyond braces, our Mississauga clinic addresses sleep apnea, jaw issues, and dentofacial concerns. Wondering if it's the right time for your child to start orthodontic care? Find answers on our page dedicated to adolescents and orthodontics. Reach out if you have any questions.
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Adolescent Treatment
In addition to improved self-confidence due to improved aesthetics, there are many short-term and long-term health benefits to receiving orthodontic treatment early. By arranging an early consultation with the specialists at GD Orthodontics, your child will be able to:
​Correct harmful oral habits like thumb-sucking.
​Prevent further wear or injury to teeth and jaw joints by moving the teeth and jaws to their optimum positions.
​Possibly prevent the need for braces and even oral surgery through early intervention in detrimental bite or alignment patterns.
​Increase the impact of final treatment results and their stability.
​Improve the ease of breathing.
​Discourage speech impediments.
​Possibly prevent the need for jaw surgery later in life and minimize the likelihood of future extractions of permanent teeth.
​Better manage their oral hygiene and decrease the opportunities for tooth decay, gum disease, and problems like heart disease to develop.
​Widen narrow arches, creating space to alleviate crowding and allow adult teeth to emerge correctly.
Prevent wear on teeth and jaw joints by correcting overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
Encourage proper chewing of food, resulting in better absorption of nutrients and helping relieve any digestive problems through increased bite contact.
This doesn’t mean that as an adult, your opportunity is gone! Learn more about adults and orthodontic treatment.
Two-phase Treatment
Two-phase treatment is a process that both straightens your teeth and encourages facial changes. Our two-phase treatments aim to give you a smile you can confidently wear and show off.
Children may exhibit early signs of jaw problems at an early age, and if they have discrepancies after age 7 or 8, they may be good candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Leaving jaw problems untreated until all permanent teeth have appeared may cause a problem too severe to treat with conventional braces.
Phase I
During Phase 1, we aim to develop a jaw size that can accommodate all permanent teeth and properly relate the upper and lower jaws to each other.
Teeth won’t be in their final position at the end of Phase 1. After the first phase, there will be a resting and monitoring period, and baby teeth may be removed to make room for adult teeth to erupt.
Phase II
Phase 2 is when we try to put each tooth in the right location with the lips, tongue, cheek, and other teeth. Doing so allows optimal function and stability.
This phase usually happens after all teeth have erupted. Braces are typically worn for 18-24 months.
Retention
Devices called retainers are fitted onto your teeth to prevent relapse. Retainers may be worn part-time indefinitely. Learn more about retainers here.
Dentofacial Orthopedics / Growth Modification
Dentofacial Orthopedics is a two-phased treatment that aims to normalize a patient's bone structure growth. This typically begins around 7 or 8 when jaw abnormalities begin to show. Proper jaw alignment is tackled in the first phase, and the second phase may involve braces to straighten out teeth.
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Dento Orthopedics for adults may involve surgery. Conversely, children have more flexible jaw bones that are not fully mature yet, making it easier to control their growth.
Talk to us to see if this procedure is right for you. GD Orthodontics offers free initial consultations.
TMJ/TMD
“TMJ” stands for temporomandibular joint, which refers to the jaw joints in front of each of your ears. Your TMJ is the most complicated joint in your body. TMJ problems are responsible for chronic headaches, earaches, and other facial pain. Symptoms of having a TMJ problem include:
​Clicking or popping sensations/noises when opening and closing your mouth
​Jaw soreness or pain that seems more intense in the morning or late afternoon
​Sensitive teeth not caused by other dental problems
​Earache without the presence of infections
​Chewing difficulties
​Misaligned upper and lower teeth (malocclusion)
​Stiff, “locked” feeling in the jaw when using it
​Recent change in your bite
​Waking up regularly with headaches
​Frequent tension headaches
Dr. Girish Deshpande can work with you and your general physician at GD Orthodontics to stabilize your jaw and muscles. Contact us if you are experiencing any of the symptoms described.
WildSmiles® Braces
Suitable for young people, WildSmiles® Braces were designed to make wearing orthodontic appliances appear and feel more fun for kids. Brackets are available in six fun shapes:
​Stars
​Hearts
​Flowers
​ Sports Balls
​Footballs
​Super-Diamonds
Designed by orthodontic professionals and used for over a decade, WildSmiles® also effectively corrects teeth and jaw problems. Contact us for a free consultation if you are interested in WildSmiles®.
Temporary Anchorage Device
Introducing the Temporary Anchorage Device, or TAD – a tiny screw strategically positioned in the bone between teeth roots. It serves as a secure anchor for precise teeth movement. TADs have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, enabling us to address cases that were once extremely challenging. This advancement ensures more effective and efficient care. TAD candidates must have permanent adult teeth and no active gum disease. Rest assured, TAD placement is minimally invasive, often requiring only topical anesthetic, as bone tissue lacks nerve endings. Your comfort and care are our top priorities.
Surgical Orthodontics
If orthodontic appliances alone can't resolve an issue, orthognathic surgery, also known as surgical orthodontics, may be recommended.
Our success rates in these procedures have soared thanks to advancements like digital imaging, computerized treatment planning, and innovative hardware. Today's dental world offers shorter treatment and recovery times than earlier generations, ensuring more efficient care.
While orthognathic surgery is often unnecessary due to technological advancements in orthodontics, we're always open to discussing it if it's beneficial for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
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Whether you're considering a more intricate procedure or traditional braces, our GD Orthodontics team in Mississauga is here to guide you through the process, presenting you with tailored orthodontic options. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation with our board-certified orthodontist, Dr. Girish Deshpande, and take the first step towards a more confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Age Is the Best Age to Start?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should receive their first orthodontic evaluation no later than age seven or at the first sign that there may be an orthodontic problem. While actual treatment may not be necessary, the evaluation will help your orthodontist anticipate future growth and strategize the best time to start treatment.
Why Age 7?
Age 7 is considered the best time for an initial screening. A child’s first adult molars erupt at this age and establish a back bite. Thus, orthodontists can investigate how teeth are positioned front-to-back and side-to-side. For example, newly erupted incisors indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding, or gummy smile problems.
What Are Some Benefits of Interceptive Treatment?
Interceptive treatment can treat a wide range of problems. For example, it can:
​Allow growth of new teeth by making room
​Influence jaw growth, which can help create facial symmetry
​Help protect front teeth from injury if they were originally protruding
​Minimize the chance of needing to remove teeth
​Reducing time spent wearing braces
Are Braces Right for You?
Braces are suitable for many people, so consult with your orthodontist. Orthodontic treatment isn’t just to improve the look of your smile; treatment can tackle malocclusions (bad bites) due to jaw misalignment. This has far-reaching consequences, affecting how you smile, chew, clean your teeth, and feel.
What Problems Can Thumbsucking Cause?
Thumbsucking is a very common habit for children. However, it can cause misaligned teeth and jaw problems if done excessively and too long. Here are a few possible complications:
​Protruding upper front teeth and/or protruding upper jaw
​Tipped-back lower front teeth
​Openbite – it’s possible for the gap between the top and bottom teeth to match the child’s thumb
​Upper jaw grows too narrow for the lower jaw, causing crossbite
Why Are Braces or Orthodontic Treatment Important?
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Braces offer a multitude of benefits for your overall health and well-being. Firstly, they can significantly boost your self-confidence by addressing your concerns about your teeth and smiling. Secondly, braces are crucial in reducing the risk of various diseases, including tooth decay, gum disease, and even potential heart conditions. Lastly, addressing bite and teeth alignment issues early on can significantly decrease the likelihood of needing more complex and costly treatments like jaw surgery or tooth extraction.
Do Braces Hurt?
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While traditional metal braces are familiar to many, it's worth noting that brace technology has advanced significantly. Modern braces are far more flexible and comfortable, with most patients experiencing mild to moderate discomfort. Over-the-counter options like Tylenol or Advil can effectively alleviate any minor discomfort you may experience during treatment. Your journey to a confident smile is now more comfortable than ever!
How Long Will the Braces Be on For?
Your treatment is as unique as you are, so there’s no one-size-fits-all length of time that you’ll wear your braces or undergo other forms of treatment. However, average treatment times typically range between 6 to 24 months. Each case varies in complexity, but GD Orthodontics uses the latest in orthodontic technology to ensure your treatment is as precise and quick as possible. Patients who practice good oral hygiene can also expect to have a positive impact on their treatment. Keeping up good habits like regularly flossing and brushing your teeth can also help your treatment go faster, as can complying with recommendations like wearing your elastics.
Can I Still Eat My Favourite Foods?
Yes! There are very few foods that we recommend you avoid during your treatment due to the chance they can damage the wires or brackets. Any damage can extend your treatment times, so we’d encourage you to avoid food like rock candy, caramel and nuts. You can still enjoy many of your favourite foods, but your preparation for them might change. For example, you should cut hard vegetables into smaller pieces. And always ensure that you’re brushing and flossing afterward!
How Does Invisalign® Work?
Invisalign® is a clear aligner orthodontic system that straightens teeth with clear plastic trays instead of wires and brackets. You wear a series of aligners for 1 week each. Each successive aligner has a minor correction built into it, and that’s how it progressively corrects your crooked teeth or your bite problems.
Does GD Orthodontics Offer Payment Plans?
Definitely! We want to ensure that anyone who needs orthodontic treatment can access it; our office staff will work with you to find a payment plan that is the most convenient for you. We’re confident that there is a flexible, interest-free financing option that will ensure that you or your family members receive the orthodontic treatment that they require without you having to worry about credit checks.
Does GD Orthodontics Accept Insurance Plans?
Yes, we do! We will send the predetermination and work with your insurance company to maximize the benefit.
Adult Treatment
Braces aren’t just for kids! The way your teeth, gums, and bones are structured can be changed at any age if you are healthy. Getting orthodontic treatment as an adult can vastly improve your self-esteem, allowing you to smile proudly during job interviews and professional presentations. It can also boost your overall dental health: crooked teeth can lead to a bad bite, bone loss, tooth decay, unhealthy gums, and even headaches and jaw joint pain.
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We now have new techniques and technology to treat teeth with minimal time and discomfort. You have many options, from traditional metal braces to transparent aligners worn at night. It all depends on your circumstances, and during your initial consultation, we will assess your needs and find the best possible treatment route for you.
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Adults make up a large percentage of our patients at GD Orthodontics. They will all agree that it’s never too late to drastically improve your smile's look.
Types of Braces
1. Ceramic (clear) braces are a more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces. They require extra care and attention to maintain proper oral hygiene, and they are often used on the upper teeth rather than the lower teeth.
2. Invisalign® – the Invisalign® System enjoys great popularity because of its ability to fix crooked teeth without being noticeable. These removable, clear aligners are created by computer simulation and gradually move your teeth into alignment. If you are interested in Invisalign®, ask your orthodontist if you are a suitable candidate!
3. Invisalign® Teen – this system accommodates growing mouths and a busy teen lifestyle. They align teeth gradually just like the adult version, but come with extra features like the Blue Dot Wear Indicator to show how long the aligners have been worn, and six free replacement aligners.
4. Mini Silver Metal braces – traditional Mini Silver Metal braces are the type most people picture when they think of braces. They are strong, come in silver or gold, and use rubber bands to hold the wire in place. While they are often more affordable, the brackets can sometimes irritate the gums and cheeks. Simple fixes like saltwater rinses or orthodontic wax can help. Plus, Mini Silver Metal braces come in many colours, so you can personalize your look.
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Book a consultation with us to explore your treatment options!
Life with Braces
Getting braces will not turn your life upside down. The points below will give you basic information on how to properly adjust and care for your new orthodontic appliances. Feel free to call our office anytime if you need more information.
Taking Good Care of Your Braces
If you want to wear your braces for the shortest treatment time possible, you should take care of them. Taking care of your braces doesn’t just benefit your teeth; it will cut costs.
Here are some instructions to take care of your braces:
​Use small, soft-bristled toothbrushes to clean your children’s newly erupted teeth with a small amount of toothpaste
​Teach kids how to brush as early as age 2 or 3 and supervise them until they can do it on their own
​Visit the dentist regularly to check up on development and to screen for cavities
​Try not to mention words like “pain” or “hurt” in the context of discussing visiting the dentist with your child
​Encourage your child to discuss any fear they might have of going to the dentist
​Determine whether your water supply is fluoridated or not; if not, ask your dentist about supplements
​Talk to your dentist about using sealant to protect your child’s teeth’s chewing surfaces; this protects children against tooth decay
Common Problems
In general, orthodontic problems can be categorized as such:
Class II
Class II problems, sometimes called “overjet,” are when the upper jaw and teeth project past the lower jaw. Class II problems are often genetically inherited but can result from excessive thumbsucking. To correct this problem, orthodontists typically try to influence facial growth and bring the upper and lower jaws together to their correct position.
Class III
In Class III problems, the lower jaw may “stick out” and seem unusually large. However, the upper jaw’s growth is often at fault. Class III problems are also often genetic.
Crossbite
Teeth are misaligned in crossbites. Posterior crossbites often have a narrow upper jaw and a wide lower jaw. When closed into a secure bite, the lower teeth are held outside the upper teeth. Crossbites may cause the appearance of facial asymmetry.
Crowding
Crowding is a common reason to seek orthodontic treatment. For some patients, the size of their teeth and the space available in their jaw differ. Crowding may also be associated with gum problems. The added challenge of cleaning crowded teeth may also result in poorer oral hygiene and more risk of tooth decay.
Deepbite
Characteristics of deepbite include a large amount of exposed gum tissue, a protruded or entrapped lip, biting the roof of the mouth, and excessive wear on incisors. This is usually associated with length disparity between the upper and lower jaw.
Openbite
Open bites are often caused by jaw disparities, habits like thumbsucking, or too much vertical jaw growth. Early intervention is critical to treating an open bite.
Spacing
Spacing, like crowding, is a common reason for orthodontic treatment. Gum tissue attachments may cause excessive spacing called “frenae” or jaw and teeth size disparity.
Missing teeth
Other than aesthetic issues, missing teeth can cause other health and dental problems, such as chewing, biting, pain, speech problems, and muscle sagging. Missing teeth can also mean more space for decay and gum disease, and how teeth arrange themselves in relation to the spaces may cause misalignment.
Emergencies & Handling Minor Brace Repairs
If you’ve broken or loosened your appliances, please do not come directly to our office, but call us immediately. This will allow us to make time to see you, and even if you have an appointment scheduled, please call us ahead of time if you require an appliance to be repaired.
Orthodontic emergencies are rare, but problems may occur occasionally. Usually, these can be fixed at home. Here are a few common problems and how to handle them independently.
Loose brackets or bands
Loose brackets or bands can be left alone until your next visit, but do let us know so we can schedule extra time for repairs. You can cut the wire using sanitized nail clippers and slip off the bracket if irritating. Tuck the wire under and bring your bracket to your next appointment.
Wire irritations
Wires can cause discomfort to your cheek and gums because they’re so pointy. You can usually move them away from the irritated area with a cotton swab, round end of a spoon, or eraser. You can also cover the pointy end with cotton or wax. Clip the wire with sterilized scissors or nail clippers if it is painful. If it continues to be bothersome, let us know.
Lost separator
This is quite common. Do not be too worried about losing your separator, but do call our office to see if you need a replacement.
Pain and discomfort
It is common to feel pain, soreness, and discomfort when you begin treatment. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers, and a warm washcloth or heating pad may relieve jaw soreness.
When to Call the Office
If you have made any of the adjustments above, please call our orthodontic office in Mississauga as soon as possible during regular office hours. We can then schedule a time for repairs.
Call even if you have an appointment shortly because repairs may take longer than your allotted time.
If you cannot fix a problem on your own, please call. We are always happy to help!
If your mouth or teeth have suffered a direct injury, immediately place ice on the area and call your regular dentist. Afterward, depending on your comfort, your orthodontist will replace broken or displaced appliances as soon as possible.
Why Good Dental Health Is Important
Did you know that:
​The most common chronic childhood disease in America is tooth decay.
​It is estimated by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research that children miss 52 million hours of school per year due to oral health problems.
​In the US, 50% of first-graders and 80% of 17-year-olds suffer from tooth decay.
​Children’s oral health is a top priority of the US Surgeon General.
Instilling excellent oral hygiene habits goes a long way. You can show your child what good habits look like as early as infancy by gently cleaning your infant’s gums after feeding them with a water-soaked cloth. Here are a few other recommendations from the American Dental Hygiene Association.
Foods to Avoid
Usually, common sense will tell you what foods to avoid. For example, hard foods can damage orthodontic devices. Sticky foods can be difficult to clean out of appliances, and sugary foods can cause tooth decay, not to mention they aren’t the healthiest choice for your body anyway!
You should also avoid habits like nail-biting and chewing on foreign objects.
Sticky foods to avoid include:
​ Caramel
​ Toffee
​ Licorice
​ Both sugar-free and regular gum
Hard foods that may damage orthodontic appliances include:
Ice
Corn on the cob
Apples, unless cut into small pieces
Hard crusts
Chips
​Nuts
Uncooked carrots
Minimize your intake of sugary foods like cake, ice cream, and cookies, and try consuming sugary drinks only once daily. Not only will your teeth benefit from a reduced risk of decay, but your entire body will thank you, too!
Retainer Instructions
When Dr. Girish Deshpande decides to remove your braces, it will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers. Make sure to keep the below-mentioned points in mind:When Dr. Girish Deshpande decides to remove your braces, it will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers. Make sure to keep the below-mentioned points in mind:When Dr. Girish Deshpande decides to remove your braces, it will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers. Make sure to keep the below-mentioned points in mind:When Dr. Girish Deshpande decides to remove your braces, it will begin the retention stage of your treatment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers. Make sure to keep the below-mentioned points in mind:
Please call our office if you think your retainer needs to be adjusted. Never do it yourself.
Always bring your retainers with you to your follow-up appointments
Always remember to remove your retainers before swimming
Do not use hot water to clean your retainers; alternatively, clean your retainer twice a day with cold water
Be careful with your retainers, as they can break easily. Call our office if you accidentally break them.
For most children, their adult teeth all erupt by age 12, so gaps, crookedness, and bad bites are now easily detectable
When many of their peers are also wearing braces, children at this age may be less self-conscious about the appearance of braces and may even be motivated to wear them to fit in
Rapid growth spurts happen at this age, allowing orthodontists to take advantage of the body’s constant changes to shape bite and teeth
Because youth of this age have fast metabolisms, they can experience shorter treatment times
Please note that:
​Dr. Girish Deshpande will instruct you to wear your retainers at all times
​While you are eating, take your retainers out
​When not wearing your retainer, always put it in its case
​Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth
​If you are having trouble speaking while wearing your retainer, please allow yourself some time; it will get better with each passing day
Retention
After your orthodontic appliance has moved your teeth, they must be retained in their new location. We must allow the bone to regenerate and firm up around the teeth’s new location. Typically, this retention phase takes about nine months. This means your retainers must be worn 23 hours a day consistently (you can take them out during meals).
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If your retainers aren’t worn correctly, your teeth may return to their original position (relapse). We think you will agree when we say you have invested too much time, effort, and money for this to happen, and we encourage you to wear your retainer diligently.
After nine months, we can start cutting back on retainer time. For example, you may start wearing your retainer only at night. How much we cut back wearing time depends on how successful the first retention phase was, the severity of the initial problem, the appearance of wisdom teeth, and other factors like tongue thrusting, teeth grinding and clenching.
At the end of this active retention phase, and after we have addressed any wisdom teeth issues, we still encourage patients to wear their retainers indefinitely, at least part-time. Our bodies change constantly throughout our lives, and teeth are no exception. While changes shouldn’t be too drastic, wearing your retainers every night is your best chance against relapse. If your retainer feels tight, it means your teeth have moved, and you have gone too long without wearing your retainer. If your retainer continues fitting comfortably, this means your teeth are stable.If, for any reason, wearing your retainer is impossible, call us for an appointment to discuss the matter immediately. Do not adjust or tamper with your retainer. Patient cooperation at this stage of treatment is very important.
Contact Us Today
If you have any questions about orthodontic treatment, contact Mississauga’s GD Orthodontics. You can also call us to book a free initial consultation.
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Explore the ideal orthodontic option tailored just for you at GD Orthodontics.