Even though orthodontic treatment is a bit different for everybody, the process of getting braces is usually the same. Today the Langley orthodontists share the steps involved in getting braces.
1. Booking Your Orthodontist Appointment
Patients getting braces often get a referral from their dentist because people visit their dentists more often. However, you don't need a referral from your dentist to see an orthodontist. You can make your own orthodontic appointment just by calling the orthodontist's office.
2. Attending Your Consultation
The first time you visit the orthodontist's office will be for an initial consultation.
This consultation will include a complete examination of your teeth, X-rays, and intraoral photos so the orthodontist can determine if you require braces.
3. Creating Your Treatment Plan
Following your consultation, your orthodontist will tailor a treatment plan to your specific oral health requirements. Because everybody has a different mouth, your treatment must be created specifically to get your desired outcome.
4. Planting the Braces
During the next appointment, your orthodontist will prepare your teeth for the braces by thoroughly cleaning and conditioning each tooth.
In the first part of this process, the orthodontist will deep clean your teeth, so they can be primed for the cement. Then brackets are cemented to your teeth directly, based on the predetermined positions your orthodontist has mapped out.
The wires are then set into the brackets, this when the doors are shut to hold everything in their spots.
5. Discussing At-Home Oral Care
Once your braces have been planted, your orthodontist will break down your at-home dental care routine, such as the process of brushing your teeth with braces, the proper toothpastes to use and bracket care. They might also provide you with a spindle brush to assist you in removing bacteria and particles from the wires and brackets around your teeth.
6. Adjusting Your Braces & Checkups
Following the initial placement of your braces, there is a time frame of 8 to 10 weeks until your first adjustment.
At this adjustment, your orthodontist will put new wires on your brackets. The new wires could have a different composition or be a bit stronger in order to keep your teeth moving and push/pull the teeth in a specific direction.
While you are wearing your braces it is extremely important to stay up to date with your routine dental cleanings and checkups because, the braces can make it hard to give your teeth a proper cleaning on your own. Your dental hygienists and dentists are equipped with the skills and training needed to clean around the brackets and wires to help you maintain excellent oral health.