Treatment
About Orthodontics
We invite you to come in so that we can show you what the latest in orthodontic treatment technology can do for you. Our consultation visit involves a session of digital photography so that we can actually show you on the computer screen what the orthodontic problems are. We use the latest in computer presentation systems to help us communicate what steps are needed to help correct various orthodontic problems. Dr. Boutin discusses your treatment needs with you personally and will take time to answer questions you may have.
Orthodontics can improve dental health and appearance. This treatment involves correcting bite problems and straightening teeth. The objective is always to improve dental health to make it easier to keep your teeth healthy-looking for a lifetime. Catching orthodontic problems at an early stage can make life simpler for everyone. In some cases early treatment can provide dramatic results and minimize the amount of work that needs to be done later. In quite a number of cases early treament may not be appropriate, but early detection can help patients and parents plan for what may be needed in the future. If you suspect a problem with your child’s bite please schedule a consultation appointment.
If teeth are crowded, tipped or rotated, it is difficult to keep them clean. Teeth that are difficult to keep clean are more susceptible to both tooth decay and gum disease. A bad bite can predispose a person excessive tooth wear or even to painful jaw muscle or jaw joint problems. By straightening teeth and improving bite relationships these kinds of problems can be minimized. The fact that orthodontic treatment also makes the smile look better is a great bonus. Orthodontics gives you straighter better looking teeth that are easier to take care of over the years.
We use tried-and-true methods to accomplish this objective and strive to offer our patients the latest in orthodontic technology. We employ modern and safe sterilization procedures and our staff consists of highly trained and appropriately certified personnel. Dr. Boutin believes that the training we provide to our patients in terms of keeping their teeth clean during orthodontic treatment leads to a lifetime or good oral hygiene habits. This benefit alone is diffficult to put a price on. We consider it a priviledge to work in this field of dentistry and take pride in offering to you the best that orthodontics can offer.
Orthodontics Technology
Advances in technology are everywhere in today’s world. Advances in orthodontics over the years has meant that straightening out teeth and bite problems is now easier than ever before. We can move teeth around with less discomfort and in a shorter period of time than even just a few years ago. We use braces that are much smaller and much easier to keep clean than they used to be. SPEED® braces and GAC OVATION® brackets are the most advanced types of braces available anywhere in the world.
For some adult patients with relatively minor problems we can offer options that are almost invisible, such as the INVISALIGN® systems that is currently being advertised internationally. We also offer computer imaging technology so that you can see more clearly what orthodontic problems exist as well as the various methods we have available to deal with them. If a picture is worth a thousand words, computer imaging is worth many times that. Our X-ray system is completely digital. This means the lowest possible radiation exposure. It also means we don’t use film developing chemicals that could harm the environment.
ESTERILIZATION
To help maintain everyone’s health and safety we take sterilization seriously in this office. Aseptic technique starts with touch free hand washing taps to avoid cross-contamination. We use gloves and other disposable protective barriers to prevent transmission of microscopic agents of disease. We accommodate patients with latex sensitivities. All of our instruments are sterilized using state of the art methods. We have chemical sterilizers, heat sterilizers and steam sterilizers that are monitored regularly for effectiveness by a testing program administered by the University of Alberta . If one of our sterilizers breaks down we are prepared—we have two of each type of sterilizer in our sterilization area. Our sterilization area is large enough to be designed so that the sterilized instruments are physically separated from the ones that are waiting to be cleaned.
A few words about the cost of orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic fees are assessed individually relative to treatment needs and the method of treatment. Cost of treatment is always relative. A retiring orthodontist once put it into perspective by relating his personal experience with orthodontics. When he was a teenage orthodontic patient in the late 1940’s his father paid more for his orthodontic treatment than for the new four door Chevrolet he bought the year before. A new four door Chevrolet now costs easily $10,000 to $20,000 or more. Today’s orthodontic fees are considerably less than the cost of a new car, mostly because the techniques we use now are much more efficient than they were in the 1940’s. We try to structure our fees over time to make full payment as easy as possible.