What To Expect From Orthodontic Treatment
At this point, you probably understand what orthodontic treatments are, the various types of orthodontic treatments (as well as the pros and cons of each kind), and you may have a general sense of whether or not you’re a good candidate for an orthodontic procedure. But what are orthodontic procedures like? What happens throughout the process? Let’s take a look.
First, you’ll meet with an orthodontist to learn more about your unique case. During this visit, your oral health is assessed, including dental X-rays or scans to evaluate tooth and jaw alignment. Based on the assessment, a personalized treatment plan is developed to address your specific needs and goals. This plan may include the type of orthodontic appliance needed (e.g., braces, aligners), the duration of treatment, and any additional procedures such as extractions or palatal expanders.
Next is getting your braces or aligners. This happens at your orthodontist's office and typically takes 1-2 hours for braces or much less to test the fit of removable clear aligners. It’s not uncommon for this procedure to take place immediately after your consultation, if you’re in a hurry. If you're getting braces, they'll bond brackets to your teeth and connect them with wires. If you're going with clear aligners, after a scan of your mouth is complete, you'll get custom-made trays from a lab that you can pop in and out.
During your treatment, you'll visit the orthodontist's office for regular checkups and adjustments. If you have braces, they’ll tighten your wires and replace your elastics (with fun colors of your choice). If you’re wearing aligners, you'll get new trays every once in a while. These visits make sure your teeth are moving the way they should and give your orthodontist a chance to tweak things if needed.
Once your teeth are where they should be, you’ll have braces removed, and your teeth will get a good cleaning. For aligners, you'll usually wear the last tray for a bit longer to make sure everything stays in place.
Once your braces or aligners come off, you'll need to wear a custom-fit retainer to keep your teeth in their new position. Retainers can be either removable or fixed, depending on what your orthodontist recommends for your individual case and what works best for you. You'll have a few regular follow-up appointments to make sure your teeth are staying where they're supposed to and that your smile is staying on point.
How Long Do Orthodontic Procedures Take?
Application
1 visit, 1-2 hours
Adjustments
1 visit every 4-8 weeks, 30-60 minutes per visit
Removal
1 visit. 1-2 hours
Total Treatment Time
1-3 years
Application
1 visit, 1-2 hours
Adjustments
1 visit every 4-8 weeks, 30-60 minutes per visit
Removal
1 visit. 1-2 hours
Total Treatment Time
1-3 years
Application
1 visit, 1 hour
Adjustments
n/a, only if needed
Removal
n/a - removable at any time
Total Treatment Time
Full-time for a few months after braces then at night time indefinitely.
What About Same-Day Braces?
While it takes time to properly straighten teeth, the orthodontists at Ortho 99 Plus 1 can get you from consultation to the application of your braces all in the same day. You can get started on the journey to perfect teeth much more quickly, and fit your initial treatment plan into even the busiest schedule. Reach out to our team for more information.
Do Orthodontic Treatments Hurt?
Patients may be advised to take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) before the procedure to help reduce swelling and to help with discomfort.
Following certain orthodontic procedures, patients may be prescribed pain medications such as prescription-strength ibuprofen or acetaminophen with codeine.
Braces can cause discomfort on certain areas of the mouth. Luckily, orthodontic wax is an easy way to reduce that discomfort and protect soft mouth tissue.
Orthodontic procedures can cause sensitivity of the teeth and gums. Most orthodontists will suggest that patients eat soft foods. Eating yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soups after treatments and adjustments can help minimize discomfort.
Have More Questions?
Now that you understand how orthodontic treatment happens, you may have questions like: how do I find orthodontic treatment near me? How much do braces cost? What about other orthodontic treatments? Or maybe you’re wondering how to pick a great provider in your area. Check out the navigation above for more information on everything in the realm of orthodontics.
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