Braces
- Home
- Braces
1. Consultation and Assessment
- Initial Consultation: A dentist or orthodontist evaluates your dental condition.
- Data Collected:
- X-rays: To assess the alignment of the teeth and jaw structure.
- Photos: Pictures of your teeth and face for records and planning.
- Impressions or 3D Scans: Impressions of your teeth may be taken using a soft mold or through digital scanning.
- Medical/Dental History: Any previous dental work or conditions are considered.
2. Treatment Planning
- Based on the data collected, the orthodontist creates a customized treatment plan.
- Data Considered:
- Malocclusion type: The specific type of bite issue (overbite, underbite, crossbite, etc.).
- Tooth crowding or gaps.
- Jaw alignment issues.
- The orthodontist will present options such as traditional braces, clear braces, or Invisalign.
3. Braces Placement
- Procedure:
- Teeth are cleaned, and conditioning gel is applied.
- Brackets (small squares) are bonded to the front of the teeth.
- A wire is inserted through the brackets to gradually move the teeth into alignment.
- Data Collected:
- Bracket placement data: Ensuring the correct position of brackets for optimal movement.
- Wire tension/force: Specific forces are applied to the teeth to encourage movement.
4. Adjustments and Monitoring
- Regular Adjustments: Every 4-8 weeks, you’ll visit the orthodontist for adjustments to the wires or bands.
- Data Collected:
- Progress Notes: Adjustments are documented, including how the teeth are responding to treatment.
- New Photos/Scans: Updated imaging may be taken to track progress.
- Pain and discomfort: Patients may provide feedback on discomfort levels, which help guide the pace of treatment.
5. Completion and Retention
- Removal of Braces: Once teeth are aligned, the braces are removed.
- Data Considered:
- Final alignment measurements: Ensuring the teeth are correctly positioned.
- Retainer Prescription: A retainer is often provided to maintain the new alignment.
- Post-Treatment Data:
- Retention schedules to monitor teeth stability over time.
- Long-term follow-up appointments to prevent relapse.