Braces can cost anywhere between $500 and $7,500 Canadian, and $350 to $7,500 U.S., depending on the work that needs to be done. Orthodontic treatment can range from a simple appliance for a short time to a long complicated treatment which may last many years. Fees are based on the length of treatment, how complex the orthodontic treatment is and how many different types of appliances are used.

Age is not a factor. Our patients range in ages from 6 years to 74 years. Healthy gums, normal bone and good teeth are essential for ideal orthodontic results. Even if patients have had periodontic treatment, orthodontics can still be performed. This is many times required for future crowns, bridges and implants.

The estimated treatment time is usually within 3 to 6 months either way. Missed appointments and broken brackets will increase treatment time.

Baby teeth will sometimes interfere with the eruption of permanent teeth. The permanent teeth will be blocked toward the tongue or toward the lips and cheeks. Also when deciduous teeth are removed at certain times, permanent teeth will erupt more rapidly. This will allow young patients to have braces at an earlier age; which means that more critical high school subjects will not be missed when orthodontics is performed in high school.

Jaw surgery is necessary when there is a large discrepancy between the upper (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible). A surgical decision requires careful analysis of a person’s skeletal anatomy. This is normally done with special x-rays of the profile (lateral ceph). Sometimes these skeletal problems are quite obvious and very easy to diagnose.

Cooperation is extremely important to a successful case. Patients must follow specific instructions on how to keep their teeth clean and must wear elastics and appliances as instructed. Poor cooperation with the above will result in less than ideal orthodontic results.

Initially, there will be some discomfort which will require Advil or Tylenol. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different and each appointment is different. After some visits you will feel very little discomfort and other times you may feel more. Eating softer foods like soup, pasta and fish will be easier than a steak or a hamburger on sensitive teeth.

Your lips may appear fuller. Braces are only about 1 mm thick but initially this will feel about 1 cm. After approximately 2 weeks, the soft tissues adapt to the brackets and you will not even be aware of the fact that you have braces on.

For best results, upper and lower braces are recommended. It is impossible to achieve an ideal bite without placing braces on both arches. Since most times elastics are required for ideal orthondontic results, the lower braces are required for anchorage for elastics.

The brackets are available in stainless steel (silver), ceramic (clear) and gold. Orthodontic wires are held in place by small elastics called “O” rings. These “O” rings are available in many colours - even colours that glow in the dark.

There is no difference in how clear and metal brackets work. Clear brackets are used mostly on the upper front teeth only. They are sometimes used on the lower anterior teeth also.

At the beginning of treatment, thin wires are used to align crowded teeth. As the teeth straightened, we gradually work up to larger wires.

Headgear is no longer used at our office.

90% of orthodontic patients will require elastic wear. Elastics are worn near the end of treatment to improve the way the teeth fit together. Elastics are also sometimes worn to close spaces. Cooperation with elastic wear is very important. Orthodontic treatment is delayed when elastics are not worn as requested.

For the first 6 - 9 months after braces are removed, most patients should wear retainers full time. Wear is then reduced to 12 hours. If retainers feel tight when they are placed in the mouth, patients should increase wear to 18 hours.

One year after braces have been removed, retainers can be worn for 6 - 8 hours when sleeping. Again wear should be increased if retainers feel tight when inserted.

Two years after braces have been removed, if retainers are not tight, they should be worn every other night.

After that, retainers should be worn at least once a week. Retainers are for life. Teeth are sitting in bone. Bone is a very lively body tissue which is broken down and built up continually for normal body functions. Even without orthodontics, teeth will continue to shift throughout a person’s life.