1. The Referral
The first person to be aware of your need for braces will likely be your dentist. It’s important to visit your family dentist regularly. They will always spot potential trouble and help you to keep a healthy, attractive smile. Your dentist can let you know when you need an orthodontist. They will generally be able to recommend a good Austin orthodontist for you. Your dentist may even do the first X-rays at this stage of the process.
2. Your Consultation
When you meet with your orthodontist, they will examine your teeth. They may need to take X-rays of your mouth unless your dentist has sent along some recent ones. At this point, they will diagnose any issues. Braces may be necessary for a variety of reasons. Crowding, gaps, overbites and cross-bites are just a few of the reasons braces may be prescribed. The orthodontist will come up with a treatment plan and provide you with all of the necessary information.
3. The Treatment Process
For traditional braces, you will first have your teeth cleaned and conditioned. This may take as little as fifteen to thirty minutes. Brackets are cemented to each tooth involved in the treatment. A wire is then inserted through the brackets. Each bracket has a door that is then closed to hold the wire in place. It usually takes one or two hours for the entire visit.
Ceramic and clear braces are a couple of the other options. These work in the same basic way. A dental adhesive is applied to each tooth to hold the brackets into place when these methods are used. If you receive Austin Invisalign braces, the process is a bit simpler. Clear aligners are made for you and worn for one to two weeks. You must return to the orthodontist regularly for new sets as they slowly correct your teeth alignment.
4. Living with Braces
Braces may be required for six months or up to two years. The average time for Invisalign is about a year. Braces will mean certain restrictions on what you can eat. Hard foods could damage the braces. Sticky or crunchy items may get stuck in them and cause cleaning issues. You will need to visit a dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned. Regular orthodontist appointments will make sure that the process is working as intended. You may need minor adjustments to the braces as your teeth move and shift into place.
5. Removal
Before you know it, the day will finally come when your braces can be removed. You will often end up with a retainer after the braces are off. A retainer is a device worn on your teeth to prevent them from shifting back to their previous alignment. The retainer is normally worn at night while you sleep. In some cases, you may receive a fixed retainer that is cemented in, similar to how the braces were.
The typical time period for retainer use is equal to the length of time you wore braces. In any case, you will have follow-up visits with your Austin orthodontist to make sure the initial treatment is holding up. After everything is done, you can enjoy your new smile!