Patient information

  • It is important that you show up at each appointment and that you arrive on time. Each missed appointment can extend the duration of your treatment.
  • In order to achieve optimal results, it is crucial that you take care of your teeth. Make sure you follow the instructions given at our clinic carefully.
  • Be sure to brush and floss regularly, and don't forget to carefully clean your appliances.
  • Once we initiate an orthodontic treatment, the patient must refrain from eating hard or sticky foods, such as popcorn, chewing gum, caramel, nuts, hard candy, or ice chips. Eating such foods could result in broken brackets (braces), unglued bands, or bended wires.
  • Raw fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, apples, pears, celery, cucumbers, etc. will need to be cut into bite size pieces. Patients must also avoid eating sugary foods, since they may cause decalcification (noticeable white spots on the teeth), and dental caries.



In case of an emergency

If one of the following situations arises:

  • Broken bracket
  • Loose wire
  • A wire is jabbing the inside of the cheek
  • Any other situation that may cause concern

Call our clinic to explain the problem. Our secretary will advise you what to do, or, if the problem requires assistance, will book you an appointment as soon as possible.

If you call outside business hours, leave a detailed message, and we will call you as soon as possible.

Until your appointment, here is what you can do if one of these problems arises:

Broken bracket

  • If one or more brackets completely come apart from the teeth, put them in an envelope and bring it with you to your next appointment.
  • If a bracket detaches from a tooth, but is still attached to the wire, leave it. If it is uncomfortable, cover it with orthodontic wax.

Wires

  • If the arch wire has come out of a bracket and is uncomfortable, cover it with a piece of orthodontic wax.
  • If the end of the arch wire is jabbing the inside of your cheeks, you can also cover the end of the wire with a piece of wax.

Other uncomfortable situations

  • If you feel any pain or discomfort due to the treatment, you may take over-the-counter pain medication, and call us as soon as possible if anything seems abnormal or concerns you.

FAQ

  • 01.

    Is a referral from a dentist necessary in order to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist?
    Answer : No, you can schedule an appointment for a consultation by calling our office directly. Of course, your dentist can recommend that you see an orthodontist, but if you have any concerns, do not hesitate to talk to your dentist or to call us directly. A referral is not required when scheduling an appointment with us. Remember: your orthodontist is a specialized dentist.

  • 02.

    When a doctor installs an orthodontic appliance, is local or general anesthesia necessary?
    Answer : No! Every orthodontic appliance used by our team is either glued to your teeth and/or applied onto your gums. No injections are given at our clinic.

  • 03.

    Does a treatment involve injections (needles)?
    No, never! Injections are never required for an orthodontic treatment.

  • 04.

    How often are appointments scheduled?
    The frequency of your appointments depends mostly on the type of treatment you are receiving as well as your initial condition. On average, appointments are scheduled every 6 to 8 weeks.

  • 05.

    How much does a treatment cost?
    Answer : We know that the cost of treatment is a major factor for our patients. The cost can vary greatly depending on the type of correction, the appliances used and the duration of the treatment required to correct the malocclusion. However, after your first consultation, Dr. Huard will be in a much better position to give you the cost and duration of your treatment. Moreover, Dr. Huard offers different financing options in order to make treatment accessible. With the help of your insurance your claims and tax rebates, treatment costs less than you might think!

    By correcting dental and facial irregularities, an orthodontic treatment improves your face’s general appearance. Those who receive treatment can vouch for the resulting boost in confidence and self-esteem. One thing leads to another: an improved appearance helps regain self-esteem, which, in turn, improves quality of life. When evaluating the cost of your orthodontic treatment, consider the advantages of having a beautiful and healthy smile for the rest of your life. Several former patients have said that an orthodontic treatment was the best investment they had ever made!

  • 06.

    How long does a treatment last?
    Answer : On occasion, some patients may have better reactions than others to a given treatment. Orthodontic appliances usually have to be worn from one to three years. In a case of mild malocclusion, the treatment can be shorter. In order to ensure stable results, most patients are monitored by a dentist or an orthodontist for several years following the completion of the treatment. With younger patients, treatment can be delivered in two phases; the first at an early age, in order to help with the expansion of his/her dental arches, while the other is done once permanent teeth begin to erupt.

  • 07.

    How does an orthodontic appliance work?
    Answer : An orthodontic appliance works by positively affecting facial growth and by forcing teeth in certain directions so they can better position themselves. In order to free up the space needed to correct malocclusion, dental extractions may sometimes be necessary. The type of appliance used to correct malocclusion varies from one patient to another; some appliances are removable while others are fixed (glued on or cemented). The fixed orthodontic appliances used nowadays are smaller and less noticeable than those of the past, making their daily care easier. In addition to metallic brackets (braces), transparent brackets (ceramic of plastic) are now available. After the treatment, fixed or removable retainers must be worn in order to keep teeth from shifting away from their new position. This is a very important step in an orthodontic treatment.

  • 08.

    What are the leading causes of malocclusion?
    Heredity
    Heredity plays a role when it comes to dental and facial irregularities. The width and shape of jaws are major causative factors in the alignment of teeth.

    Acquired
    Certain malformations are caused by bad oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting or bruxism (grinding or clenching of the teeth). A bad deglutition (swallowing) or a chronic mouth breathing problem (caused by asthma, allergies, sinusitis, frequent colds, etc.) can also lead to the bad positioning of teeth.

    An increasing number of respiratory problems among youth affect the growth of their palate and jaws, thus leading to malocclusion problems and angled teeth. If that’s the case, do not worry, we will work with you in order to develop new breathing habits or better positioning of your tongue. If need be, we will not hesitate to refer you to specialists. The work of a speech-language pathologist or of an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) can help enormously.

    Lastly, the premature loss of primary teeth or the loss of permanent teeth as a result of an accident, dental caries or gum disease can also lead to shifting of other teeth and cause malocclusion.

  • 09.

    Can an adult benefit from an orthodontic treatment?
    Answer : Whatever your age is, you can benefit from an orthodontic treatment. Your face and jaws may have already fully developed, which limits orthodontic possibilities, but the tissues involved in the movement of your teeth are the same as the ones in children. The condition of your teeth and surrounding tissues will determine how much your condition can be improved. An excessive space between teeth, the protrusion of anterior teeth, the shifting of a tooth towards a empty space that was not looked after following a dental extraction or the premature loss of a tooth, a tooth that shifts towards an abnormal position for one reason or another, etc. Thanks to an orthodontic treatment, all of these conditions can be improved.

  • 10.

    Is an orthodontic treatment painful?
    Answer : Advances in orthodontics have greatly reduced treatment discomfort. Moreover, with today’s new orthodontic wires, the pressure exerted on the teeth is now less than it used to be. Most patients adapt quickly to their treatment, which involves little discomfort.

  • 11.

    What are the benefits of an early treatment?

    • Simplify or lessen the extent of the treatment of permanent dentition
    • Positively influence jaw growth
    • Improve the width of dental arches
    • Improve tooth eruption patterns
    • Mend bad oral habits
    • Improve aesthetics and self-esteem
    • Lessen speech problems
    • Preserve or regain the space needed for the eruption of permanent teeth

  • 12.

    Why is it recommended to have your teeth checked at the age of 7?
    Answer : The Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO) recommends that the first consultation be around the age of 7. Nevertheless, since the growth of a child can affect the choice of treatment, it is always preferable to schedule a consultation sooner than later. An early orthodontic examination can result in a simpler treatment with better results. In some cases, a periodical follow-up is advised; in order to intervene at the right moment, we offer this service free of charge, providing peace of mind for parents.

  • 13.

    Why are orthodontic treatments important?
    Answer : Most people believe that an orthodontic treatment is only necessary in order to improve their smile. In fact, an orthodontic treatment can achieve much more in improving your oral health. Overlapping teeth, misaligned teeth and improper bites may be the causes of problems such as dental caries, gum disease, jaw pains, headaches, neck pains and facial muscle pain. While healthy teeth contribute to a healthy appearance, they are also essential to your overall health.

  • 14.

    What is the difference between a dentist and an orthodontist?
    Answer : Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that requires a 3 year academic training after completion of a doctorate of dental medicine (DMD). All orthodontists are dentists, but only 3% of dentists are orthodontists.