Orthodontics is about a combination of aesthetics (how your smile looks) and function (how your bite works).
Improving your smile and your bite can be achieved in different ways
- Removable braces
- Fixed braces
- Expanders
- Invisalign clear aligners
- Functional appliances
You don’t like how your teeth look and you have decided that you would like braces…
What happens next?
1. Initial consultation
The orthodontist meets with you, finds out what your concerns are, checks your teeth and your bite and gives you some ideas of what kind of braces might be suitable to achieve your vision. At this appointment you will usually get information about the types of braces available, the length of time the treatment will take and the costs involved.
2. Records
In order to have a complete picture of your bite and teeth the orthodontist needs more information. This information comes from special xrays, photos of your face and teeth, impressions to make models of your teeth and further clinical measurements
3. Treatment planning
The orthodontist uses the information she/he analyses from the records to make up a treatment plan.
4. Consenting
The next appointment is about consent – giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to go ahead with orthodontics or not. This is when you find out the details of how your teeth and bite are now, what can (and can’t) be achieved, what options you have and the potential risks involved.
If you are happy with what you hear you give your consent to treatment and you get started
5. Treatment
Your active treatment starts and continues with whatever brace or appliance you have agreed and chosen with the orthodontist
6. Retention
When active treatment is complete, you will need to wear retainers to
keep your teeth in the new, straight positions. The teeth will try to return to the original, crooked, positions for a long time, so retention is very important if you want to keep your new straight bite!