Orthodontist and the Process of Braces

If you are in need of braces you are probably getting ready to meet with a local orthodontist. What can you expect at that first visit? How much pain is involved in attempting to shift your teeth over to a new location? Patients have all kinds of questions about the process and most can be answered by your practitioner. However, here are just a few things you can expect to have happen as you make your way through this process.

Finding a Practitioner

It all begins with an orthodontist. If you have friends that have been through braces you may want to ask them about their experiences. This will give you a good idea of whether or not you would like to go to the same office they did to get your teeth straightened. The more information that you have from someone you trust the easier it is to make a decision.

Learning More

At the initial consultation the specialist will take a look at the teeth and make a recommendation. He will let you know what type of braces you should use, how long you will need to wear them, and give you an idea of how much this is all going to cost. The more information you get in the beginning the better. You can ask any questions that you have and learn more about what this is going to entail.

Getting the Braces On

When you get your braces on it is important that you show up with clean teeth. Once you arrive your orthodontist will probably have you clean them well one more time before the process begins. Take a picture of your smile so that you will be able to remember the way you looked before all of the changes. This appointment will take a long time, so plan accordingly. While most people fear the pain involved it is more uncomfortable than anything else. Traditional braces take a few hours to put on.

Adjustments

Periodically you will need to go in and make an appointment for an adjustment. This means that the wires will be changed to pull your teeth in the right direction. Once again these appointments can be uncomfortable but your orthodontist will be sure to remind you that this is just a necessary step to create a beautiful smile.

Invisalign

Instead of traditional braces many people are choosing Invisalign. You have a mold of your teeth made and a set of plastic molds are created to reshape your teeth. They are worn most of the time but you can take them out to eat and to do things like take pictures. Most people can’t tell that you are wearing braces but major changes are taking place within your mouth. If you want to get your teeth realigned but don’t want the addition of any metal you can talk to your dentist about this option and ask him to refer to you a specialist.