The Consultation Appointment
An appointment to evaluate and inform you of the current status of your teeth and jaws from an orthodontic perspective and discuss treatment options available for your particular problem. If you or your child are ready to start treatment we will also discuss cost and payment options and help you determine what may or may not be covered by insurance. Recommended Age for the First Examination with an Orthodontist: 7 Why? By seeing your child around the age of 7, we can monitor the eruption of their permanent teeth in an attempt to reduce the risk of more complicated and expensive future treatments had they gone unmonitored. |
Getting the Braces On (aka The Big Day!)
So, its the day you've been waiting for, or dreading depending on your outlook. In either case, patients are generally surprised to find out its easier than they thought. The process of getting the braces on is painless. The teeth are polished, kept dry and the brackets are placed and "glued" onto the teeth. You'll start feeling pressure in about 4 hours, which usually lasts for 3-4 days, so its recommended to take some Ibuprofen or Tylenol regularly for those first few days. We'll also instruct you on taking care of the braces and give you some tools for the job! |
Adjustment Appointments
Once you have your braces on you'll need the orthodontist to adjust them. Usually, the appointments occur every 6 weeks, but can vary from 3 to 9 weeks. At these short appointments, we'll adjust your braces or aligners to continue straightening the teeth and usually change or replace your colors. |
Getting your Braces off!
Okay, so maybe today is the day you have REALLY been waiting for! Today will be a longer appointment when we take your braces off your teeth and remove the adhesive that held the braces in place. You will also have impressions taken for your retainers, which you will generally pick up later the same day. |
Retainer Visits
Teeth naturally want to SHIFT back towards where they were before your braces. Therefore, it is EXTREMELY important to wear your retainers once your braces are off to hold them in place. We all put a lot of effort into creating your beautiful smile and we want to do everything we can to keep it that way. If you are wearing your retainers as prescribed these appointments are generally short and simple. |