Your Thornhill Invisalign® Provider
Patient Information
Welcome to Thornhill Family Orthodontics. Learn more about our dental clinic, including what to expect at your first appointment and office FAQs.
Your First Visit
We encourage all of our patients to arrive at least 10 minutes early to their appointment to give them enough time to fill out our New Patient Form.
Initial Examination
Our orthodontist will start by walking through your medical history and performing an examination of your smile. During this process, we will take time to create both 2D and 3D images of your oral structures and mouth shape as well as reviewing our diagnosis and discussing your treatment options with you.
Treatment Plan
Once we are able to determine the best orthodontic treatment option for you, we will schedule your next appointment and discuss any financial arrangements that need to be made. We will also dedicate time to answering your questions before beginning your orthodontic treatment.
We understand patients often value fast results, so depending on your availability and ours, we may be able to begin treatment that day.
Next Steps
Once we have decided on a suitable orthodontic treatment option for you, we will walk you through what you will need to know about it. This includes what kinds of food to avoid, how to clean your appliances, how long your treatment should take and what you should expect from the process.
Throughout your treatment process, you will need to periodically visit our office. This will allow us to track your treatment's progress and make any adjustments to it that may be required. We will book your next appointment with us each time you visit our office.
Office FAQS
Read the FAQs to learn more about what to expect at Thornhill Family Orthodontics.
- What features does your clinic offer?
Our clinic offers a number of features, including:
- Children's Play Area with TV
- Onsite Parking
- Convenient Locations & Hours
- Short Wait Times
- Multiple Appointment Bookings for Families
- How can I schedule an appointment?
To book an appointment at Thornhill Family Orthodontics, please contact our office during our regular business hours.
- How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?
In order to cancel or reschedule your appointment with us, please contact us as soon as possible to notify us of any changes. Please do so as soon as you can so another patient may be able to use the space in our schedule and we can reschedule you promptly.
- Do you offer appointment reminders?
In the days leading up to your appointment, you'll receive automated text, phone or email appointment reminders from us. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please contact us as soon as possible to let us know.
- Does your clinic have on-site parking?
Yes. Onsite parking is available to all our patients. We are also easily accessible via public transit.
- What are your payment options?
You will be responsible for any amounts or co-pays that aren't covered by your insurance. These must always be paid at your appointment.
We accept payment by debit cards, most major credit cards and pre-authorized payments.
Patient FAQs
- What is an orthodontist?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of improperly positioned teeth and poor bites. The goal of their treatment is to restore the function and appearance of your smile.
In addition to achieving the same degree as a general dentist, an additional three years of University are required to earn the specialty designation of an “Orthodontist”.
While general dentists can take a continuing education course to do some basic orthodontic treatments, more complex cases require the advice of an orthodontist.
While we often think of only young people receiving orthodontic treatment due to the importance of early intervention, many adults also seek orthodontic care.
An orthodontist is able to advise you about concerns such as crooked teeth, jaw problems and a poor bite. They may also be able to identify the underlying causes of these issues.
Your family dentist will often diagnose an orthodontic problem and then refer you to an orthodontist; however, a referral is not necessary for an orthodontic consultation.
- How do I become a client at Thornhill Family Orthodontics?
At Thornhill Family Orthodontics, no referral is necessary. However, your family dentist can often help with a recommendation and with more information on orthodontics.
As you consider your treatment options, keep in mind that orthodontists are dental specialists and have met the high standards of education and experience as has been set out by the Canadian Dental Association.
- How much does an initial consultation cost?
There are no fees due at your initial appointment and you are also under no obligation to proceed with treatment. At your consultation, orthodontic records will be taken, and treatment recommendations will be made.
- How much do braces cost?
The treatment plan for each client is unique. Costs may vary depending on the severity of the problem and the amount of time it takes to correct the issue.
We always discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We offer no interest, no down payment plans with options to suit your individual financial needs.
- Why should I seek an orthodontist for my treatment?
Just as there are specialists in medicine, there are specialists in dentistry. Orthodontists correct dental and facial irregularities every day and are experts at moving teeth, helping jaws develop properly, and working with clients to help their teeth stay in their new positions.
- At what age should someone seek orthodontic treatment?
People are able to benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age! The Canadian Association of Orthodontics (CAO) and American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommend that every child should see an orthodontist no later than age 7.
There are many advantages to seeking early diagnosis as treatment options can become more limited once all the permanent teeth have come in and facial growth has slowed.
By guiding the growth of your crowded or misaligned teeth, the need for more complicated medical interventions—like extractions or surgery—is eliminated.
In addition, some underlying causes of orthodontic problems such as a dependency to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, thumb-sucking, and dental decay, can be recognized early to prevent problems from worsening.
- What are the benefits of orthodontics?
Orthodontics can boost a person’s self-image as the teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned, but an attractive smile is just one of the benefits. Alleviating or preventing physical health problems is just as important.
Without proper treatment, orthodontic issues may lead to tooth decay, bone destruction and gum disease, as well as issues with chewing and digestion.
A “bad bite” can contribute to speech impairments, tooth loss, chipped teeth and other dental injuries. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on gum tissue and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints.
These can lead to chronic headaches and facial or neck pain. Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems. For most people, a beautiful smile is the most obvious benefit of orthodontics.
- What are some benefits of seeking early orthodontic treatment?
Early treatment provides the opportunity to:
- Guide the growth of young jawbones to create a better environment for the arrival of permanent teeth
- Guide incoming teeth into optimal positions
- Regulation of jaw width
- Correction of harmful sucking habits
- Reduce the likelihood of teeth becoming impacted under the gums
- Preserve or gain space for arriving permanent teeth
- What are some reasons I might need to see an orthodontist?
Our Thornhill orthodontist recommends that you always seek the opinion of a registered orthodontic specialist to determine that you have the information you need to make any decisions about your orthodontic health.
The following checklist can help you to identify orthodontic concerns with your child or yourself and select an orthodontist.
IDENTIFYING ORTHODONTIC CONCERNS
DEEP OVERBITE Refers to the excessive vertical overlap of the upper front teeth over the bottom front teeth.
OPEN BITE In this case, the teeth barely or don't overlap at all. The upper teeth stick out well past the lower and the tongue will often rest in this space.
PROTRUDING UPPER TEETH Protrusion is characterized by the upper teeth extending too far forward, or the lower teeth not extending far enough forward.
CROSSBITE The upper back teeth rest inside, instead of outside the lower back teeth.
CROWDING & NARROW ARCHES When dental arches are small, there isn't enough room to accommodate your teeth.
UNDERBITE In this case, the lower front teeth bite further forward, in front of the upper front teeth.
RECESSIVE CHIN Refers to the appearance of the chin being recessed or pushed back, resulting in a facial disharmony between the upper and lower jaws.
RECESSIVE UPPER JAW This refers to the appearance of the chin to protrude or be pushed forward, causing facial disharmony between both the lower and upper jaws.
- Can adults benefit from braces?
Because the basic process involved in moving teeth is the same in adults as in children, orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age. The health of the teeth, the gums, and the supporting bones will also determine the prospects for improvement. There are many options available for adult treatment and we would be happy to discuss them with you and provide you with our recommendations for your treatment.
Invisalign®™, a clear plastic form of orthodontics, may be an alternative for adults who feel more self-conscious about their treatment and do not want to draw undue attention to their teeth. While these transparent aligners are removable and less noticeable, they cannot be used to treat all types of orthodontic cases.
A full orthodontic examination would be required to determine if a client is a suitable candidate for Invisalign®™. Healthy teeth can be moved at any age and an orthodontist can treat the smile of many different patients. The health of the gums and the supporting bones will also determine the prospects for improvement through orthodontic treatment.
- What are some health benefits of receiving orthodontic treatment?
A number of health benefits stem from orthodontic treatment. By aligning crooked or crowded teeth, orthodontic treatment makes one’s teeth easier to clean and maintain.
When food becomes trapped between your teeth, it promotes the growth of bacteria. Bacteria causes bad breath as well as gum disease, tooth decay and eventually even tooth loss. Correcting a "bad bite" or malocclusion can also assist in fixing speech impairments and the risk of dental injuries like chipped teeth.
Orthodontic treatment can also alleviate problems arising from the misalignment of the jaws – a complication that can cause jaw pain and chronic headaches. This specialized approach accomplishes the goal of straightening the teeth, producing a functional bite, and maintaining the client’s overall facial appearance.
Orthodontists can also address uneven wear on the teeth, which may apply excessive pressure on the bones and gum tissue supporting the teeth, potentially causing pain in the face or neck.
- If my child receives Phase 1 treatment, will they likely need Phase 2 treatment?
In most cases, yes. After the permanent teeth have grown in, treatment is usually necessary to complete the work that was started in the earlier phase. This completion of the earlier phase using full braces is often called Phase 2.
What will happen during Phase 1 and Phase 2 treatment?
The is a stage of growth and observation that will involve keeping the correction which Phase I involved as well as guiding the continued growth of your child's permanent teeth into more favourable positions. Since treatment timing is critical, a child’s growth and development are monitored very carefully during this period.
- Do you offer any other orthodontic options besides metal braces?
Yes, if you are an adult or a mature teen meeting certain conditions. A series of 3-D computer-generated invisible aligners made by Invisalign® can provide an alternative to metal braces. However, this technology does not correct bites that are due to jaw bone malpositioning and not everyone will be a suitable candidate.
Only a comprehensive orthodontic examination will be able to determine if a client is a suitable candidate for Invisalign®. Often, clients will elect to have braces for a shorter period of time to address more significant issues and then switch to clear aligners to complete their tooth alignment.
- What is Invisalign?
Your Invisalign® treatment will consist of a series of aligners that you switch out about every two weeks. Each aligner is individually manufactured to gradually shift your teeth into place. Your Invisalign® system is custom-made for your teeth and your teeth only, with a plan devised by you and your dentist or orthodontist.
If you’re ready for a smile that changes your appearance, Invisalign® may be your answer.
- Is Invisalign for me?
Invisalign® can be versatile, helping to correct a broad range of dental and orthodontic issues including overcrowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, crossbite, overbite and underbite.
An Invisalign® provider with orthodontic training and experience will work with you to create a custom-designed treatment plan to treat your specific dental or orthodontic issue(s). Your treatment program will consist of a full set of aligners, made for you, and only you.
- How does Invisalign fit into my life schedule?
With Invisalign®, patients generally experience minimal disruptions to their life.
Because Invisalign® doesn't impact your diet and is removable to promote oral hygiene, it is often considered to be a flexible treatment option to many patients' lifestyles.