You’ve decided to come to an orthodontist: congratulations and welcome! Your first visit to an orthodontist is very different than your first visit to a general dentist as we are looking for different things. Orthodontists are dentists first, but then we spend an additional 2-3 years learning about jaw development and how to properly move teeth into their most ideal position.   The purpose of your first orthodontic visit is for the doctor to make a diagnosis and treatment plan customized for you, based on your needs, wishes, and the position of your teeth and jaws. The first step to the d ..read more

Did you ever wonder why our orthodontists take x-rays of your teeth? Some things may be hiding that can only be seen through x-rays. You may not realize it, but most of what happens with your teeth occurs below the gum line! Orthodontists have to make sure that your teeth and bones are healthy before we move them; this is why x-rays are a vital tool for our orthodontists.   Why do you need to take x-rays if you’re just moving my teeth? Teeth move through bone. In order for tooth movement movement to occur safely, the teeth and the bones have to be healthy. Taking radiographs ensures that ..read more

What is a retainer? A retainer is a fixed (glued in) or removable appliance that is worn after braces or clear aligners (ex.Invisalign). The purpose of a retainer is to keep your teeth beautifully straight. There are fixed, or glued in retainers that are glued in behind your teeth or removable retainers that can be worn during the day or at night.   Why are retainers important? Teeth are always trying to move due to 2 main factors: Your gums have a memory and want to make your teeth crooked again. With age, teeth like to overlap and shift in the front. Retainers help fight these factors ..read more

What a year! While this year did not exactly go as planned (understatement of the century!) there are still many blessings that we can count and lessons that can be learned from this challenging time.   Some of the lessons we learned from this year: We are more adaptable than we thought! If someone would have told you a year ago what your life would look like today, would you have believed them? I know I wouldn’t have, and I certainly wouldn’t believe that I could “cope” with all of these drastic changes to my lifestyle. But alas, here we are. Social distancing, wearing masks all the ti ..read more

Today the world is different than it was, even just a week ago. As we are all faced with the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic and are doing our part to keep our patients, team members and community safe. It is clear that we must practice social distancing in order to flatten the curve of this pandemic. In addition, the Royal College of Dentists of Canada has suspended all non-emergency dental treatment in Ontario for the next few weeks. This is for the safety of the patients, dental team and the community, that aerosols are not generated and that people are not leaving their house unless it is ..read more

If you are wondering how much braces cost in Toronto, the answer can be different based on a variety of factors. Orthodontics is a worthwhile investment in the long-term health of your smile and confidence. There are many benefits to straightening your teeth. Some of the benefits of straight teeth include teeth that they are easier to clean, are not as prone to damage or wear because of a proper bite, and improved appearance and confidence. Who doesn’t want a beautiful smile that they can be proud of? Instead of investing in repairing your teeth with crowns and veneers in the future because t ..read more

We know it can be confusing. You are seeing ads for braces and aligners (ex. Invisalign) everywhere and some of them are very enticing. How can you tell the difference between an expert providing treatment and a person or company that does not have the expertise to provide this treatment? What does it take to be the best orthodontist? How do you find the best orthodontist for your needs? At Forest Hill Orthodontics in Toronto we always like to focus on the fact that you have one chance to get things right, and you want to take this decision seriously. The last thing you want to do is invest a ..read more

  It’s almost 2020 and things are more convenient than ever! Want food delivered to your door almost immediately? Done. Want to know how to get somewhere quickest? Any number of maps programs will let you know. Want to know who sang that song from 1999 that you  can’t get out of your head but can’t remember the artist? Surely a quick web search will bring you the answer. So why do you have to go to the orthodontist like has been “traditionally” done when times are changing so rapidly? The market is being flooded by at home aligner companies looking to sell potential patients (or as they call ..read more