Wisdom Teeth Cause Crowding - Fact or Fiction?

Will the wisdom teeth cause crowding or relapse when they come in?
This is one of the most common questions from parents of younger patients in our initial consultations. Despite popular belief, wisdom teeth do not contribute to the crowding of the front teeth in adulthood.  Wisdom teeth often need removing for many reasons, however studies show that extraction of the wisdom teeth or third molars exclusively for the purpose of preventing crowding of the incisors (front teeth) is not warranted. Human teeth naturally drift forward in our mouths over time and when your teeth are not ideally aligned, crowding occurs.

So if it isn't the wisdom teeth, then why do the teeth often start getting crooked around 17, 18 or 19 years of age?
Orthodontists believe that there are several factors that come into play.  First, as the teeth begin to wear the bite deepens in front (the teeth overlap more). This allows the back surface of the upper teeth to press down on the fronts of the lowers pushing them towards the tongue. This deepening of the bite also causes extra wear on the lower front teeth in some patients.
The second factor is what orthodontists call late residual growth. In common terms, there is a slight amount of lower jaw growth that happens in the late teens or early 20s that forces the teeth slightly forward and upward into the back of the upper teeth. The result is added pressure that crowds previously straight teeth.

What are the reasons wisdom teeth should be removed?
Wisdom teeth often do not have sufficient room to erupt and become totally or partially impacted, and unless other teeth need to be removed for orthodontic reasons, they are not useful, functioning teeth in chewing. In these situations they should be evaluated for extraction.

What is the key to keeping the teeth straight?
Although there are other reasons for removing your wisdom teeth, keeping your teeth straight shouldn't be the main concern.  Research indicates that long-term retainer wear or lingual wires are the only "sure thing". Keeping your teeth straight after braces requires wearing your retainers for as long as you want them to stay straight!

AcceleDent: New Technology to Shorten Treatment Time

What is AcceleDent? AcceleDent is a simple-to-use, hands-free device that uses SoftPulse Technology to offer faster orthodontic treatment with only 20 minutes daily use.










What is SoftPulse Technology and why is it important? Part of the way that orthodontics works is by changing or remodelling the bones surrounding your teeth. As this remodelling process is accelerated, your teeth move more quickly.  That's where AcceleDent comes in. By using tiny vibrations, or micro pulses, SoftPulse Technology is designed to speed up bone remodelling, accelerating tooth movement.

How does AcceleDent work?   By inserting the Mouthpiece – fitted around your existing orthodontics – and turning on the Activator for 20 minutes every day, AcceleDent can speed up tooth movement by up to 50%. Faster tooth movement may decrease the duration of your orthodontic treatment and can even help to make your orthodontics more comfortable.

Is AcceleDent safe? Yes. AcceleDent with SoftPulse Technology™ has been demonstrated safe and reliable in U.S. clinical trials. It is a Class II medical device that has been cleared for use by the FDA – the government agency that approves drugs and medical devices.

By how much time will AcceleDent reduce my treatment? Research has shown that tooth movement is accelerated by up to 50%, potentially shortening conventional orthodontic treatment time by several appointments.

What orthodontic treatment does AcceleDent work with? AcceleDent works in conjunction with most orthodontics. Please ask your orthodontist if AcceleDent is a good option for you.

How is the orthodontic treatment accelerated? Your orthodontics work on their own by moving your teeth in specific directions. AcceleDent generates small vibrations, or micropulses, enhancing the movements directed by your orthodontics, which may allow for faster overall treatment.

How do I know if I am biting into the Mouthpiece correctly and with the right amount of force? Bite pressure on the Mouthpiece should be just firm enough to hold your AcceleDent in place without using your hands. Avoid biting forcibly on the Mouthpiece as that may cause excessive wear.

Can I try to wear AcceleDent while I am sleeping? No.  It is not recommended that AcceleDent be used while sleeping.

Do I have to do the full 20 minute treatment at one time? Yes. It is recommended that you use your AcceleDent for a continuous 20 minute period each day.

If I absolutely have to interrupt the 20 minute session for a few minutes, when I turn my AcceleDent back on, does it remember how long I used it? Yes. AcceleDent will remember how long you used it as long as the interruption does not exceed five minutes. After five minutes of being turned off, AcceleDent will work for a full session of 20 minutes at its next use.

Is there some way that AcceleDent can “track” my usage? Yes. Docking the Activator/Travel Shell on the Charging Port also allows the usage history and details to be displayed. The amount of usage can then be observed on the Smart Display.

Can AcceleDent remind me to use it on a daily basis? No. AcceleDent is not designed to provide reminders. It is recommended that you make AcceleDent part of your daily routine in order to maximize its benefit to you.

How often does AcceleDent need to be recharged? The Activator should be recharged every three days or when no lights are visible on the Battery Gauge.

If I use AcceleDent for more than the recommended 20 minute treatment time, does it add incremental benefit? No. Additional daily use greater than the prescribed 20 minutes duration is not recommended.

What is the best way to clean AcceleDent? The Mouthpiece should be rinsed well with lukewarm water after each use. You may occasionally use a soft liquid dishwashing detergent, a mild soap, or toothpaste to gently brush the Mouthpiece. The Activator can be wiped with a soft cloth as necessary. The metal contacts of the Activator must be free of any dirt or residue and may be cleaned with a Q-Tip® as needed. It is recommended that you allow AcceleDent to air dry before being stored in the Travel Shell. Do not place the Mouthpiece or the Activator in a dishwasher as this will void the warranty and could cause damage to the product.

Can I use my AcceleDent in the shower? No. AcceleDent is not water resistant and should not be used in the shower.

Can I sanitize my AcceleDent and share it with a friend or family member who also has braces? No. AcceleDent is a FDA cleared, single-user prescription device. Sharing the AcceleDent and/or Mouthpiece is prohibited. Your orthodontist prescribed AcceleDent for your use only based upon your unique orthodontic treatment plan. Use of AcceleDent without the supervision and direction of an orthodontist may result in adverse unintended consequences.

Is my AcceleDent under warranty? Yes, the warranty details can be found in the Directions for Use, click here.

What type of battery does AcceleDent contain? The rechargeable battery in AcceleDent is a medical grade lithium ion battery.

What should I do with my AcceleDent once treatment is finished? You should dispose of your AcceleDent as you would with any other device with a rechargeable battery. Reference the “Disposal” section of the Directions for Use manual for further details, click here.

Is AcceleDent eligible under my HSA (Healthcare Savings Account)? When prescribed by a licensed dental professional, AcceleDent may be eligible under your HSA; however, it is always a good idea to check with your HSA Plan Administrator.

How can I get further information regarding AcceleDent? Please ask us about Acceledent at your next visit! 

iTero Digital Scanner at Surrideo Orthodontics

No more goop, gagging or discomfort! Surrideo Orthodontics is proud to offer our patients the iTero digital scanner.  Using the iTero scanner we can take a digital impression and eliminate, in most cases, the need for tray and putty impressions. 

While the old technique can be unpleasant and sometimes has to be done more than once for accuracy, we find that the iTero scanner ensures a more accurate impression from the start, resulting in improved treatment and a more comfortable experience. Digital impressions also give you the ability to see your teeth instantly in 3D, improving communication during the consultation and treatment process. 

The iTero scanner digitally captures the structure of the teeth and gums using optical technology.  The scanner is a compact, hand-held wand. Once we being the scanning process, it can be stopped and started as many times as necessary. 

Your mouth is scanned with a radiation-free laser and in as little as eight to ten minutes, the laser renders a 3D impression of your teeth and soft tissue structures. Through digital software, you'll then be able to follow the progress of the scans, including a 3D model of your teeth on our computer screen. The iTero scanner can be used for most orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign.

Surrideo Orthodontics is excited to be acquiring yet another scanner called the Lythos Digital Scanner.  Watch for more information on the Lythos Scanner coming soon!

Think Pink and Dress for the Cause!

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the team at Surrideo has decided to Think Pink and Dress for the Cause. Every Wednesday we will dress our office and ourselves in pink to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research in Canada.

These are some of the photos from our first 'Dress for the Cause' day at Surrideo!

If you would like to help us raise funds for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, please go to www.dressforthecause.com, click on 'Pledge a Participant' and type in 'Surrideo'.  Under the 'action' tab, you can choose to sponsor a team member by clicking on the far left icon or sponsor our whole team by clicking on the right icon.

Thank you for your support and Happy October!

Forsus Appliance

As we all know, orthodontic treatment can straighten your teeth and give you a beautiful smile.  Another important part of orthodontics, however, is correcting your bite so that your upper and lower teeth fit together properly. 

One of the most common problems our orthodontists see is patients that have protrusive upper teeth or an "overjet" where the upper teeth are too far ahead of the lower teeth. This requires a type of correction called "Class II Correction" which used to mean wearing headgear for several hours daily despite potential embarrassment and discomfort.  Over the past 25 years, however, there has been a gradual shift away from headgear, so much so that it is now very rare to see anyone wearing it. Not only has this change come about because patients didn't like it, but also because there are now excellent alternatives that are more acceptable to today’s youth. One of these is 3M Unitek's Forsus Appliance used frequently by Dr. Cohen and Dr. Yue.

Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device by 3M Unitek

If our orthodontists determine that your overbite can be resolved by moving the upper teeth back while allowing the lower teeth to move forward an equal amount, they may recommend these inter-arch springs connected between your upper teeth and your lower ones. 

Some of the benefits of using the Forsus appliance are:
1) It is hidden inside the cheeks and almost undetectable
2) It allows normal mouth movements and is well tolerated by patients
3) It is tough and rarely breaks
4) It causes very few emergencies
5) It has few undesirable side effects
6) It is non-removable by the patients so it cannot be misplaced or forgotten.

The length of time that the Forsus Appliance is worn varies depending on the level of correction needed for each case, and like anything associated with braces, it will take a couple of days to get used to having the appliance in your mouth.

Always be careful about what you eat.  Avoid hard or sticky foods and be sure to cut your food into smaller pieces. Brushing is always recommended after every meal. Take special care when brushing your teeth to avoid dislodging or separating the appliance.

As with any orthodontic appliance worn inside the mouth, some discomfort or irritation may occur. Call your orthodontist if discomfort or irritation continues or if a sore develops in your mouth.

Examining your springs daily and notifying your doctor when you notice anything out of the ordinary can help keep you on schedule and avoid setbacks.

Our First Community Outreach Day!

Surrideo Orthodontics

Offering

Smiles... In the Community

Our S.O.S Team had our first Community Outreach Day volunteering at NeighbourLink Calgary. We spent part of the day in the NeighbourLink warehouse putting together bedding packages for people in need and hope that through our work we were able to put a smile on someone's face! 

Glossary of Orthodontic Terms

Many factors are assessed in your initial orthodontic consultation in order to develop a thorough and individualized treatment plan.  The following are some common orthodontic terms to help you understand and navigate your way through treatment.

Malocclusion
The term used in orthodontics to describe teeth that do not fit together properly. From Latin, the term means "bad bite."

Class I Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the proper molar relationship where teeth may be crowded together, spaced apart, have an overbite, an openbite, or a crossbite.

Class II Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the upper front teeth protruding or due to the lower teeth and/or jaw positioned back relative to the upper teeth and/or jaw.

Class III Malocclusion
A malocclusion with the lower front teeth protruding or due to the lower teeth and/or jaw positioned ahead relative to the upper teeth and/or jaw.

Overbite
It is the extent of the vertical overlap of the upper incisors over the lower incisors and is measured through. Overbite measures the VERTICAL overlap between the front biting edge of your upper incisors vs. that of the lower incisors when your teeth are in their normal bite position

Deep Bite
Also known as deep overbite, this occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the bottom front teeth an excessive amount.




Overjet

Overjet is also known as “protrusion” of teeth. Overjet measures the HORIZONTAL difference between the front biting edge of your upper incisors vs. that of the lower incisors when your teeth are in their normal bite position


Congenitally Missing Teeth
A genetic occurrence in which the expected number of permanent teeth do not develop.

Crossbite

Upper posterior (back) teeth are in crossbite if they erupt and function inside or outside of the arch in the lower posterior teeth.






Lower anterior (front) teeth are I crossbite if they erupt and function in front of the upper anterior teeth.
A crossbite can be individual teeth or groups of teeth.





Ectopic Eruption
Term used to describe a tooth or teeth that erupt in an abnormal position.




Impaction
A tooth that does not erupt into the mouth or only erupts partially is considered impacted.

Mixed Dentition
The dental developmental stage in children (approximately ages 6-12) when they have a mix of primary (baby) and permanent teeth.

Permanent Dentition
The set of 32 permanent teeth whose eruptions begin from the fifth to the seventh year, lasting until the 17th to the 23rd year, when the last of the wisdom teeth appear.