Summary
Congratulations! You’re taking your first step towards ideal oral health and a better smile.
Undergoing orthodontic correction is a big undertaking. About 25-35% of individuals require orthodontic intervention due to misaligned, crooked, chipped, or broken teeth.
However, while they’re at it, a majority of individuals have no idea about the steps involved in orthodontic treatment. Keeping the same in mind, this blog explores:
- Role of Braces in Oral Correction
- The 5 Stages of Orthodontic Treatment
- Living With Oral Braces – An Insight Into the Adjustments
- Removal of Braces – Post-treatment Overview
- Why Should You Always Consult an Orthodontist?
Continue reading as we learn more about orthodontic dentistry and treatments in the following sections.
Role of Braces in Oral Correction
Braces are one of the most common orthodontic treatment options to straighten teeth and improve your smile. Sadly, far too many people who may benefit from the treatment don’t opt for it because they don’t understand how it works.
However, by understanding the step-by-step procedure of braces, you can determine whether or not they are an appropriate option for you.
How do braces work to move teeth?
While each patient’s experience may differ significantly, most orthodontists in Corsicana, TX, follow a similar procedure when it comes to braces therapy. The following information will teach you all you need to know about the procedure, including the three phases that are most likely to be included.
The 5 Stages of Orthodontic Treatment
Stage 1 – Consultation Stage
Depending on your situation, the initial session might run anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. During the appointment, imprints of your upper and lower teeth will be obtained, as well as an assessment of your occlusion or bite.
Your orthodontics expert will then discuss alternatives, options, restrictions, and dangers with you before creating a custom treatment plan as per your oral requirements. They may also discuss the fees and insurance benefits at this stage.
Stage 2 – Bonding Stage
This is the moment at which you will be fitted with braces. Placing brackets on your teeth is a fairly delicate operation. Once the brackets are in place and the wire is in place, the patient will be able to select the color of the elastics.
Attachments are placed on the teeth, and aligners are fitted to ensure that they are perfect for patients who are suitable for clear aligners or orthodontic braces. Regardless of the kind of treatment, oral hygiene and appropriate maintenance will be covered, and you will be sent home with all of the information and equipment you need to make your smile shine!
Stage 3 – Regular Adjustments Stage
This stage includes normal appointments every 6-8 weeks, allowing your orthodontist to assess progress and make modifications. The colored elastics are replaced, braces adjusted, and examined for correctness.
Stage 4 – Debonding Stage
After all the hard work, this is the stage where your oral appliances are removed, or the last round of orthodontist care is complete. Once done, the brackets are removed, the teeth are polished, and final photographs are taken. An impression is also taken for the final removable aligner.
Stage 5 – Retainer Stage
Following the first delivery of the retainers, an appointment for ongoing progress monitoring will be scheduled. You can also expect your dental professional to tighten and adjust your retainer at this phase to ensure proper fit.
Living With Oral Braces – An Insight Into the Adjustments
Brace users must maintain adequate dental hygiene and avoid specific foods. Brushing insufficiently may cause enamel damage; thus, it is critical to brush at least three times each day. Many care orthodontists recommend bringing a toothbrush with you at all times so that you may brush your teeth after lunch at work or school.
For even better oral hygiene, use a water pik or interdental brushes to clean below the dental archwires. Many professionals suggest rinsing with fluoride mouth to maintain tooth structure and underlying enamel.
Navarro orthodontists often advise patients to avoid sticky foods, which can become trapped beneath the appliance and cause separation. Hard foods and confectionery should also be avoided since they may weaken the link between the brackets and the enamel or even the appliance.
Removal of Braces – Post-treatment Overview
When your orthodontist deems that your treatment is over, your braces will be removed in a quick and painless procedure. The link between the brackets and your teeth is broken softly and safely.
Here are a few tips you could follow after your orthodontic correction is complete:
- Squeeze the Oral Appliance: The adhesive bond is released by squeezing the bracket bases, allowing the brackets to be removed. To safeguard the enamel and tooth structure, the adhesive is left on the teeth throughout the procedure.
- Remove the Bonding Cement: After removing all brackets, the leftover bonding cement is removed with a dental handpiece. It is similar to the one used to repair a cavity, but the discomfort is minimized because no tooth structure is lost.
Your gums may be somewhat sore once all bonding cement has been removed after the ortho-dental treatment. However, this should be resolved in a few days with careful brushing and flossing.
Recovery & Aftercare of Orthodontist Treatments
An appointment for retainer implantation is scheduled one to two weeks after the oral appliances are removed. However, retainers can sometimes be made and inserted at the removal session.
Opt for Retainers
Retainers are removable orthodontic equipment used during the “retention period” of orthodontic therapy. The teeth are highly fragile during this stage of therapy and must be kept to ensure optimal treatment completion.
The retainer is custom-made for your mouth. It is generally important to wear a retainer full-time for the first six months after having a dental appliance removed. Following this stage, you might only need to wear retainers at night at the discretion of your orthodontic in Texas.
Don’t Miss Out on Regular Appointments!
Following the removal of your braces, you should visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning appointment. Your orthodontist will remove any residual adhesive from your teeth and the area where your appliance was, but you must follow up with a thorough oral cleaning.
Teeth whitening may also be explored if there is a notable color difference between the enamel surface where the brackets were initially bonded. Although you can whiten your teeth while wearing braces with gels or toothpaste, it is best to wait until the appliance is removed, to avoid color mismatches or potential harm to the orthodontic components.
Why Should You Always Consult an Orthodontist?
While all orthodontists began their careers as dentists, not every oral expert is an orthodontist.
In reality, orthodontists completed an extra three years of full-time school to specialize in orthodontics, and they do nothing else all day, every day. It means they’re specialists in diagnosing jaw problems and straightening your teeth safely.
Takeaway
- Orthodontic correction is a big undertaking. It takes several months to correct your teeth.
- Retainers are pieces of removable orthodontic equipment that are used throughout the “retention period” of orthodontic treatment.
- You must visit a dentist for teeth cleaning once your braces are removed.
- Don’t miss your opportunity for the perfect smile; connect with our professionals at Navarro Dental Center today!
