The 2012 Village ORTHOdontics Desktop Calendar Contest!

Village ORTHOdontics is looking for one drawing for the February page of our 2012 desktop calendar!

You could win a $50 gift card for the mall by drawing a picture for the February page of our Desktop Calendar!

All pictures must be submitted by Saturday, February 26th, 2011.

By the way, our Erin Mills office will be opened as scheduled today! If your appointment was scheduled at our Village Centre Court office (near Square One), please call to confirm your appointment. Enjoy the snowfall everyone! =)

GOOD LUCK on the contest! We look forward to seeing your talented entries!

Ask Village ORTHO: What are "Dentofacial Orthopedics"?

You may have noticed that we at Village ORTHOdontics specialize in "Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics." And while most folks have heard of orthodontics, many are confused by the "dentofacial orthopedics" part of the title.

No worries - we can explain!

You probably know that an orthodontist straightens teeth, and indeed: "ortho" comes from the Greek for "straight" or "correct," and "dontic" from the Greek for "teeth." But what about dentofacial orthopedics? "Dentofacial" is "teeth" plus "face" while "ortho" again means "straight" and "pedic" is from the Greek for "child."

Essentially, while orthodontics entails the management of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopedics involves the guidance of facial growth and development, which occurs largely during childhood. In both cases, appliances are frequently used – the more familiar braces for orthodontics, and other specialized appliances like headgear and expanders depending on what facial abnormalities are present. Sometimes orthopedic treatment may precede conventional braces, but often the two are accomplished at the same time. So if your child gets braces and headgear, he's undergoing orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics!

Because our team at Village ORTHO are skilled in both areas, we are able to diagnose any misalignments in the teeth and jaw as well as the facial structure, and can devise a treatment plan that integrates both orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments.

We hope that helps! Contact our Mississauga or Yorkville orthodontic office and schedule a complimentary consultation for your child. It’s never too late to get a great smile, and we can’t wait to help you get started.

When should you call Village ORTHOdontics?

Our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists have put together a helpful list that outlines when you should call our team at Village ORTHO. Here are some early warning signs indicating it’s time to check in at one of offices in Toronto or Mississauga:

1. Early or late loss of baby teeth
2. Difficulty of chewing or biting
3. Mouth breathing
4. Finger sucking or other oral habits
5. Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
6. Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or retrude
7. Speech difficulty
8. Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
9. Protruding teeth
10. Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don’t meet at all
11. Facial imbalance or asymmetry
12. Grinding or clenching of teeth

Do any of these warning signs fit you? If so, give us a call as soon as possible! Enjoy the rest of the week everyone!

Here comes the Braces Brigade!

At Village ORTHOdontics, we know our patients want to get as much out of their treatment as possible. That includes asking a lot of questions and making sure they take care of both their appliances and oral health.

Would you like to learn more about what to expect during orthodontic treatment, from someone with firsthand experience? Well, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recently developed the Braces Brigade blog, where past, present, as well as future orthodontic patients from coast to coast document their (or their child’s) orthodontic journeys. The blog will serve as a source of guidance for others as the patients undergo orthodontic care.

We encourage you to visit the Braces Brigade blog to read these great and informative blogs—who knows, maybe you’ll learn a thing or two! As always, don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about the Braces Brigade or your own orthodontic treatment at our office!

What's going on at Village ORTHOdontics?

It's a brand new year, and our team at Village ORTHOdontics is looking for the very first drawing for our 2012 Desktop Calendar! Contest will begin on Monday, January 10th, and all drawings must be submitted by January 29th. The theme for this January page is "Winter Wonderland" and must be related in some way to orthodontics. Enter for your chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate for the mall!

Here is what you have to look forward to throughout the rest of the year at Village ORTHOdontics:

- The 2012 Desktop Calendar contest. Throughout the year, we will be holding contests to find a drawing for each month of the calendar. If your drawing is chosen, you will win a $50 Gift Card to either Square One Mall or Erin Mills Town Centre - your choice!
- Fun in the Sun Week: March 7th to March 11th
- Village ORTHOdontics Annual Roller Skating Party
- And, many contests for all kinds of occasions, including: Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Canada Day, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas!

Highlights from the past year include:

- The addition of 2 new doctors to the team: Dr. Jillian Gordon and Dr. John Doucet
- Our 3rd annual Roller Skating Party
- Many contests and giveaways
- Our Back to School Pop Quiz and lunch bag giveaway
- The entire staff dressing up for Halloween and giving out candies
- Our Holiday Food Drive. We raised almost 500 food items for the Mississauga Food Bank and sent one lucky winner and his family to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas....THE MUSICAL!!!
- 3 new additions to the Village ORTHO family. Team members Creselle, Lude and Negi all welcomed healthy little babies to the world in 2010! We are also looking forward to the birth of Elly's baby in January!

Happy Friday everyone! See you soon! Did you know we're also on Facebook? Connect with us

All about cavities, from Village ORTHO

At Village ORTHOdontics, we know one word nobody wants to hear when they visit their dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? Well, a cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic, and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your general dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities while you’re wearing braces:

· Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily

· Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)

· Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth and braces where your toothbrush can’t reach

· Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat or drink

· Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up during your orthodontic treatment

We hope that helps! Give us a call to learn more about keeping your braces and oral health in tip-top shape! Happy New Year!

What is your New Year's Resolution?

The year is almost over, and our team at Village ORTHO thought we’d ask: what was memorable about 2010 for you, and what are you most looking forward to in 2011? Do you have a new year's resolution, or any exciting plans for the coming year?

Have a safe and happy New Year, to all our patients, friends, family, and all our dental and medical colleagues.

See you in 2011 everyone!