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Traditional Orthodontics Treatment Procedure

The decision to get braces is a major first step towards better oral health. So if you’ve made that decision, whether it’s for yourself or your child, you should be congratulated! By wearing braces for several months or a few short years now, you’ll be able to avoid many other dental issues in the long run. While it’s true that the procedure involves several steps, there’s no need to be intimidated by the process. In fact, that’s exactly why we’ve collected the information in this article – to explain what you should expect during the traditional orthodontics treatment procedure.

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The Consultation Visit

The first step in enjoying a straighter, more beautiful smile is the consultation visit with your dentist or orthodontist. This is the time when you and your oral health care provider will decide which type of teeth-straightening method is the best choice for you. Although the focus of this article is traditional metal braces, there are other treatment options available as well, such as clear plastic aligners, for example. The type of treatment that is best for you will depend on a variety of factors, such as the severity of your dental issues. For purposes of this article, we’ll assume that you and your dentist or orthodontist have chosen traditional metal braces as your teeth-straightening method.

Prior to Treatment

Your dentist or orthodontist will almost always recommend having your teeth professional cleaned before you’re fitted with your braces. If you have any other oral health issues – such as cavities or gum disease, for example – those will also need to be resolved before getting your braces. Once those problems are addressed, it’s time to start the metal braces procedure.

The First Step in Getting Your New Braces

Your dentist or orthodontist will start the process by taking X-rays of your entire mouth as well as each individual tooth. If your problem is overcrowding, your dentist may insert spacers in between your teeth during this visit as well, in order to prepare you for having your braces inserted. This visit is also the time when an impression will be made of your teeth. This can be done either in the conventional way of using a tray filled with dental putty or, if your oral health provider employs more advanced technology, it may be accomplished with digital scanning of your mouth.

Inserting Your Braces

Most of the time, the next appointment will be when your braces are actually inserted. This involves applying a specially designed metal bracket to the surface of each tooth and bonding it in place with dental cement. This takes some time, so you should prepare for a long appointment, but the procedure is painless. The process begins when your dentist inserts a device inside your mouth that holds your tongue in place and keeps your mouth dry. The next step involves applying an etchant to prepare the tooth surface for bonding. After that, the metal brackets will be placed on the teeth and cemented on the surface with dental adhesive. A curing light may be used to help harden the cement. The final step of the process involves your dentist running an arch wire through the braces and holding the wire in place with ligature bonds.

Follow-Up Appointments

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You’ll need to return to your dentist or orthodontist every few weeks after your braces are inserted for what’s called “adjustments.” This involves your oral health care provider assessing how your teeth are shifting, and swapping out the old arch wire and ligature bands for a new set. This is also referred to as “tightening” your braces. Just as that name implies, you might feel a little discomfort for a few days after first getting your braces and immediately after each “tightening” visit, but that discomfort is temporary. 

Most people get used to their braces relatively quickly and experience just a few days of minor discomfort after each adjustment.

Your Last Appointment

What will undoubtedly be a day of celebration will be when you make your final trip to the dentist or orthodontist to have your braces removed! During this visit, your oral health care provider will remove the ligatures, arch wire, braces, and bonding material from each tooth, as well as polishing the enamel a bit. The end result is a beautiful, straight smile that you can enjoy for many years to come!

Tips on Living with Braces

While you’re wearing your braces, your dentist or orthodontist will probably recommend some or all of the following:

  • Stick to soft foods for the first few days after you get your braces. This will be helpful as your teeth and gums get accustomed to the new appliance. Eggs, pasta, smoothies and soups are great choices.
  • Avoid chewing anything hard. For the duration of your treatment, try not to chew anything too hard (like ice or hard candy, for example) since that might damage your braces. You should also stay away from foods that are chewy (caramel, for instance) and foods like nuts that can break into small pieces and get stuck in your braces.
  • Maintain good daily oral hygiene habits. It can be challenging to thoroughly clean your teeth with braces on, so it’s important that you brush and floss often – preferably after every meal. Your dentist or orthodontist may provide you with a specially designed toothbrush to make brushing your teeth less challenging.
  • Don’t whiten your teeth while you’re wearing braces. If you do, your teeth will be two different shades when your braces are removed!
  • Wear a mouth guard whenever necessary. If you engage in any kind of vigorous activity or sports, it’s a good idea to wear this type of protection to avoid damaging your braces.

If you’ve decided to get braces for yourself or your child, congratulations! It will probably be one of the best decisions you could make to ensure good oral health in the future. To find out more about traditional orthodontics treatment procedures, contact your dentist or orthodontist today and schedule an appointment.