Since I graduated from dental school at the University of Toronto in 1990, I have provided comprehensive treatments to my patients. As a general family dentist, who also wants to deliver some of the advanced therapies by dental specialists, I like to broaden my knowledge and ability to provide different types of advanced treatments that are both evidence-based and proven. I want to learn the techniques that my specialist colleagues are using so that I can provide the treatments as well as them.
One of the areas that I have a particular interest in is orthodontic treatment for my patients. I used to take study models, panoramic and cephalometric X-rays, do cephalometric tracing and analysis, and then develop my treatment plans. I used brackets, molars bands, headgears, archwires, elastic, etc. to move teeth to their ideal positions.
The orthodontic treatment I provided with braces were only for children and young adults.
Nowadays, I am only using ClearCorrect Aligner. The reasons are: It is painless and convenient, allowing patients to take their aligners off to eat or brush their teeth. It is nearly invisible and comfortable. The patient can speak naturally with the trays in their mouth. The outcomes are more predictable as I can virtually see the movements of teeth at each stage and see the final results at the end of the treatment course.
ClearCorrect Aligner is effective options for many different kinds of dental misalignment:
- Crossbite – If your upper teeth sit on top of or just inside your bottom teeth, you have a crossbite. Sometimes crossbite can be in one tooth or a group of teeth. It can be unilateral or bilateral.
- Crowded Teeth
Misaligned teeth can cause complications and make you feel less comfortable with your smile. Simple activities like eating and practicing good dental hygiene become a challenge. Aside from pain, you may experience an increased risk for tooth decay, gingivitis, and cavities. - Gaps – Spacings between teeth can affect speech and form a food reservoir. A diastema, the space between the two upper front teeth can be unsightly.
- Open Bite – If you have a misalignment that leaves an open space between your top and bottom teeth, ClearCorrect may help close the gap.
- Overbite – Overbites occur when your front teeth overlap your bottom too much. Patients can have dental or skeletal overbites with different degrees of severity. It is also called Class II malocclusion.
- Underbite – If you have an underbite, your lower jaw is displaced so that your bottom teeth stick out past your top set. It is also called Class III malocclusion.
Process
The first step is to identify any diseases like periodontitis, cavities, dental or oral infection, etc. The identified conditions are first to be treated and managed before any orthodontic treatment can proceed.
The second step is to take photographic records of the face and teeth with a digital camera. There is a minimum of three facial photos and five photos of the arches and teeth.
The third step is to take digital images of the teeth with a scanner.
The fourth step is to take a panoramic X-ray. A cephalometric X-ray is not usually required unless the patient’s facial profile is expected to get changed with the orthodontic movements.
The fifth step is to do diagnosis and treatment planning.
The sixth step is to upload all the information obtained to the ClearCorrect doctor portal site with all the information, diagnosis, treatment planning, and special requirements. The technician in ClearCorrect will complete the setup and progress proposal based on the information provided.
The seventh step is to look at the setup and treatment process. View the virtual movements of the teeth with each set of aligner trays.
The eighth step is either to modify the proposed process of movements or to approve the proposal.
The ninth step is to present the case to the patient. Explain and answer all the questions. Obtain the informed consent after all the patient’s questions were answered, and the patient was satisfied with the treatment.
The tenth step is to insert the first trays, ensure the patient can insert and remove the trays properly, know what to expect, and maintain them.
The eleventh step is to add the engagers on some of the teeth, do interproximal stripping and add auxiliary appliance like hooks, buttons, and elastics.
The twelfth step is to follow up on the progress with a different set of trays until the teeth are in the expected positions and orientations. During the progress, the healthiness of the supporting gums and bone are to be closely monitored.
The thirteenth step is to provide the right set of retainers to the patient at the end of the orthodontic treatment.
Office Is Open
If you would like to book an appointment or have questions about permanent teeth, please call Dr Wong at Affinity Dental Care by giving us a call at (289)-861-5111.
