TREATMENTS
Braces
At Cowichan Valley Orthodontics, we offer several kinds of braces so that you have options to choose what best fits your lifestyle. These different types of braces include traditional metal braces, champagne/gold coloured braces and clear ceramic braces.
Invisalign & Clearcorrect
Clear aligner therapy involves clear, removable and comfortable plastic trays that straighten your teeth like braces. Not only are aligners less visible, they are removable, so you can eat and drink what you want during treatment, plus brushing and flossing are less of a hassle. The aligners are comfortable and have no metal to cause mouth abrasion during treatment. With aligners, some teeth will require tooth coloured attachments to assist with tooth movement. Attachments are small, temporary shapes bonded to teeth. They improve the way the aligners engage and grip the teeth.
OTHER APPLIANCES
Elastics (rubber bands)
Wearing elastics or rubber bands improves the fit of your upper and lower teeth. They may be required in your braces or Invisalign treatment. Wear rubber bands as instructed, and remember that the rubber bands work far more efficiently if they are worn as prescribed.
Palatal Expander
The palatal expander "expands" or widens your upper jaw by putting gentle pressure on your upper molars each time an adjustment is made. Your orthodontist will instruct you as to when and how to adjust your expander. When you achieve the desired expansion, you will wear the appliance for several months to solidify the expansion and to prevent regression since bone takes time to remodel.
Forsus
The Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device is an alternative to elastic bands, helping to eliminate excessive overbites and improve the fit of the teeth.
Retainers
Retainers may be removable or fixed. They hold your teeth in their new, correct positions after your teeth have been straightened. Your orthodontist will instruct you on how to care for your retainer and about the duration of the wear. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent relapse of your treatment.
Twin Block Appliance
The Twin Block appliance is unique from other functional appliances, as it involves two separate appliances (one for the upper arch and one for the lower arch) working together to create an advanced lower jaw position. This patient-friendly appliance is worn full time, including while eating, though it is removable for easy hygiene. It is also more comfortable than other jaw-correcting appliances, as it is made out of smooth acrylic and utilizes fewer wires. The result of using a Twin Block appliance is a broad, beautiful smile, proper jaw function, improved profile, and a stable and healthy temporomandibular joint.