When people think about technology, braces are not usually the first thing that comes to mind. Technology has driven many developments in our lifetimes so far, from smartphones to augmented reality. But, did you also know technology has been playing a role in improving orthodontic treatments? Technology plays a role in the braces treatment process right from the beginning during the patient assessment. Traditionally, a physical impression is taken of your teeth to create a mold. This was a process that many patients did not like, as it was uncomfortable and unpleasant. Fortunately, orthodontis ..read more

I have been working with lingual braces (lingual=tongue side) or “Invisible braces” for the past 20 years. The main advantage of this system is that they are virtually invisible to people around you, and the main disadvantage is that it is much harder for the orthodontist to work with, and in some people, it can adversely affect their speech. The one big technological advancement in the braces in Vancouver world that allowed for the experimentation of lingual braces is the development of a glue that is strong enough to hold the braces onto the surface of the teeth. In the 1970’s, such a glue w ..read more

Esthetic Orthodontic Appliances Orthodontic treatment is no longer viewed as a treatment for children and teenagers.  On average, one in five patients is an adult in an orthodontic practice.  Reasons for adults to seek treatment are: Esthetics – they have never liked the way their teeth looked but never gotten the opportunity to have orthodontic treatment when they were young. Dental health – overlapped and crooked teeth have caused them much trouble in maintaining good oral hygiene over the years.  They notice that their dental health has deteriorated over the years due to dif ..read more

TruDenta is a system for diagnosing, treating, and managing force imbalances in the mouth. That is the technical definition. You probably want to know what kind of benefits you will receive if TruDenta corrects your force imbalance. Benefits fall into two categories. First, you have quality of life benefits, and second, you have cosmetic benefits. Quality of Life Benefits TruDenta improves patients’ quality of life by alleviating: Headaches, including migraines Neck pain Sore muscles Vertigo TMJ/D Tinnitus Shoulder pain Snoring If you suffer from any of these ailments, you know how devastati ..read more

As a young adult, having braces is probably not on your list of high-priority items. The thought of getting braces likely hasn’t even crossed your mind. However, more and more adults have been getting braces in Vancouver, and on average 1 in 5 orthodontic patients are adults. While you may think that braces are for teenagers or that you don’t need to look like a brace face right now, do know that the process has become more than just putting metal in your mouth. For starters, there are various treatment options to suit your budget and needs. If you don’t want traditional metal braces because o ..read more

An orthodontic treatment may take a few years to complete from start to finish. In that time, you will be regularly seeing your orthodontist for routine visits and checkups. Because you will have a close client relationship with your orthodontist and their team, it is important to select an orthodontist whom you trust and can have a great relationship with. Here are some top considerations to make when choosing an orthodontist in Surrey for your treatment and care. Licensing – Be sure that your orthodontist is licensed to provide orthodontic treatments. In some cases, general dentists have be ..read more

I now have just the upper “lingual” braces on.  Because they are on the inside of my upper teeth, when I bite down, my lower front teeth which are behind my upper front teeth, are now biting on these new braces. This is very common for lingual braces wearers.  This will occur with all patients unless their front teeth do not touch at all when they bite down.  In some ways, this contact of the lower front teeth with the upper front braces prevents the patient from closing all the way down in the back, creating an open bite in the back.  When this happens, the back teeth will ..read more

  I have been treating myself with both lingual(tongue side) and labial(lip side) braces for almost a year now.  Initially, the biggest adjustment was to the braces poking or rubbing against my lips or my tongue. The constant irritation gave me raw spots on the mucosa of my mouth.  This skin irritation was an annoyance that was minor and lasted only for the first month.   Further to that, I had to learn to eat with the braces, since if I chewed hard on foods, I would hit some of the braces too hard and break them off.  It is amazing how your body adapts to these needs ..read more

Many parents know that braces can give their children beautiful smiles.  However, many may not realize the long-term health benefits orthodontic treatment can bring.  Here is a list of answers to the 7 most commonly asked questions about braces gathered by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). 1. Why is orthodontic treatment important? Besides being able to boost a person’s self-image, straight teeth, and properly aligned jaws can also contribute to good dental health and overall physical health.  It can facilitate brushing and flossing so teeth can stay healthy for ..read more

The BC Head Pain Institute’s system for TMJ treatment in Surrey can make a real difference for people suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ. This disorder, which affects many people, causes chronic pain including headaches and jaw problems in Surrey. TMJ strikes when the temporomandibular joint is not functioning properly. BC Head Pain Institute addresses this by taking clear, accurate measurements of your specific anatomy, uncovering the physical problems that are causing you pain. Treatment at BC Head Pain Institute also includes a detailed history of headaches and migrain ..read more