Both adults and children may require orthodontic treatment to address specific dental needs. This could involve fitting braces for children to ensure proper alignment of adult teeth, or as an adult seeking to correct crooked or overlapping teeth. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect during orthodontic treatment. Whether you’re considering braces for yourself or a child, understanding the process is crucial for making informed decisions about your oral health.
There are a huge number of adults that are embarrassed by their smile and would really prefer to have straight teeth that give them a nice, confident smile. Others have misalignment issues with their teeth that affect the way their teeth work. This can make eating or drinking really uncomfortable.
Problems such as these can be corrected with the right orthodontic treatment leaving people with well-aligned teeth that function properly and give people a bright, confident smile. There are even orthodontic treatments that can help cure snoring issues, allowing people to sleep better.
What happens at my first appointment?
If you want to seek out orthodontic treatment, then the first thing you should do is to book an examination with an orthodontist. On your first visit, your dentist will give you a thorough oral examination. This will include taking X-rays to check the internal health of your teeth, gums and jaw bone.
Your dentist may also take some photographs of your teeth to use as a guide and to enable you to compare the finished results of your orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will then take a mould of your teeth so they can correctly measure you up for either braces or aligners.
After your examination, your dentist will have gathered enough evidence to be able to accurately assess the type of orthodontic treatment you’ll need to correct your dental issues and will talk you through your options.
What happens next?
Following your first appointment, you will be able to choose the best treatment that is the most suitable for your needs. Your dentist will then use the information from your X-rays, photographs, examination and dental mould to be able to create your orthodontic product, whether that be a brace or a set of aligners.
You will be asked to make another appointment. Here you’ll come back to the dentist to have your braces or aligners fitted and adjusted so they fit perfectly and you feel comfortable.
Your dentist or dental hygienist will then guide you on how to take care of your orthodontic appliance, with a focus on keeping it clean and well maintained. They will also show you how to effectively clean your teeth while wearing braces, so you can keep your teeth and gums in the best possible health while your treatment is working.
Oral health care at home
Depending on your treatment plan, you may be fitted with aligners or removable braces that are designed to be removed for cleaning. This then allows you to clean your teeth and gums thoroughly without the device trapping food or blocking the toothbrush from hard to reach places.
If you have permanent braces that cannot be removed, then your dentist or hygienist will teach you how to effectively clean your teeth and braces at home. Make sure you don’t neglect cleaning your teeth while wearing braces because it can be easy for food particles to become trapped in the brace, allowing plaque and tartar to build up.
You will also be asked to make regular appointments with your dentist. This allows them to check on your progress and make any adjustments as and when necessary to keep your orthodontic device working effectively. Your orthodontist will remove your orthodontic device once your treatment is complete, leaving you with straight teeth and a wonderful smile!
For more information, please contact us today.