Orthodontic Treatment FAQs

When you have misaligned, crowded, and crooked teeth,

When you have misaligned, crowded, and crooked teeth, orthodontic treatment may offer much-needed support. Orthodontics is a category of dentistry that uses dental appliances such as braces to move the teeth to proper alignment and position.

Although dentists can offer the orthodontics, the treatment is best handled by orthodontists. They are specialists who are trained and have experience in diagnosing and treating irregularities of incorrect teeth positioning and alignment.

Before you come for your orthodontic treatment, here are a few common questions to help you know what to expect.

When is The Right Time to Get an Orthodontic Evaluation?

The time of seeing an orthodontist will depend on age. While as an adult you can visit the orthodontic at any time, children should have their first orthodontic evaluation at age seven. Most of the permanent teeth start to emerge at this age making it easy for the dentist to detect irregular jaw and bone.

How is Orthodontic Treatment Done?

Proper orthodontic treatment needs a few dental visits and is done in steps:

• Planning and dental examination

During this initial phase, the dentist will evaluate your medical and dental history and assess your oral health using x-rays and other modern technology. The dentist may recommend further treatment such as periodontal treatment or professional cleaning to get rid of plaque buildup.

Additionally, a model of your teeth is made to help the dentist customize the braces to your teeth’ shape and size. Don’t worry, we will guide you in choosing the ideal brace type for your dental state and preference.

• Getting your braces

The procedure of getting the braces will depend on the type of brace. For instance, traditional braces will take a few minutes to be fixed. Though you will not feel any pain, you may experience discomfort as the pressure is applied to the teeth.

• Follow-up appointments

Your braces will need readjustment every four to eight weeks because as the teeth shift, the wire will loosen. Expect to feel discomfort and pressure every time your brace is adjusted.

During your initial consultation, our orthodontic will guide you through the different appliances we use. Braces are a common type of orthodontics and they come in variations such as traditional, clear, lingual, and ceramic braces.

Furthermore, you may opt for Invisalign which is unique and invisible. Invisalign works the same as the traditional brace and you will achieve similar results with less hustle. If interested, speak to our orthodontic about Phoenix Invisalign and the application process.

Other appliances that can be used include space maintainers, aligners, retainers, jaw repositioning tools, palatal expanders, and headgear among others.

What Problems Does Orthodontic Treatment Correct?

You may need orthodontic treatment if you have crowded, protruding, misaligned, and emerging teeth. Other problems include overbite, spacing, underbite, open bite, and overjet.

How Long Will the Treatment Take?

Active brace treatment will depend on the severity of the problem, but on average you may need 18 to 24 months. After the treatment is done, you may receive a retainer to maintain the results of the braces. The retainer should be worn all the time for the first few days and afterward, you only wear it during the night.

Are There Any Special Instructions?

Yes, it is important to watch what you eat when wearing braces. Avoid eating sticky, hard, and chewy foods that might cause the braces to break. Furthermore, brushing regularly is also crucial to prevent the accumulation of food particles.

Will the Teeth Need to be Extracted?

Yes, if you have crowded teeth that may prevent the braces from being applied properly. Impacted teeth may also need to be extracted before the treatment begins.

Can I Wear Braces While Playing Sports?

Yes, you can wear braces and other orthodontic appliances as long as you wear a mouthguard.

Schedule an Appointment

Whether you are looking for a retainer or invisible braces in Phoenix, At Dental by Design we’ve got the solution. Contact us today for an appointment and our dental team will guide you through the treatment and procedure.