Deciding to undertake orthodontic treatment is understandably an exciting time, with the prospect of that beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of within your reach, however, it is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Decisions such as cost, upkeep, and time need to be taken into consideration. Depending on the severity of your malocclusion will determine how often you will need to visit your orthodontist for check-ups and adjustments.
The Role of an Orthodontist
An orthodontist is a doctor who specialises in treating dental conditions such as the alignment of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding areas. They monitor facial growth and track developments to detect abnormalities and their work regularly involves the placement and adjustments of braces and other dental appliances.
Your First Visit and Initial Assessment
Your first visit to an orthodontist will usually begin with an initial assessment, this is to evaluate your oral health, discuss your concerns, understand treatment options, and create a customised plan tailored to your specific needs. If the complexity of your case is more severe, you can look to visit your orthodontist every 4 to 6 weeks, this is also impacted by the type of braces you opt for, your age, and the design of your brace.
Orthodontic Treatment Check-ups and Adjustments
It’s important to understand the reasons why your orthodontist wants to see you so often. Besides keeping a check on your oral health, they want to ensure that your money is not wasted and that your teeth are moving as they should.
Braces
Once your braces are fitted, a visit to your orthodontist will consist of adjustments and/ or replacements. This is to help your teeth move into the desired position and depending on the type of braces you have fitted; your dentist may need to adjust the rubber bands or tighten the wires to provide the correct amount of pressure. These appointments are also for checking on the progress of your teeth and usually last around 20 minutes, slightly longer for adjustments.
Invisalign
You can expect to see your orthodontist with Invisalign every 4 to 6 weeks, with one of your very first appointments dedicated to making moulds of your teeth and taking X-rays and photographs, so this appointment can be lengthy. Check-ups after your Invisalign trays are made and fitted will be the same as with traditional braces, to check that progress is running along its planned course and the teeth are moving into their desired positions.
Other Dental Appliances
Other forms of orthodontic treatment that may be required are expanders and headgear, these are usually for more severe cases of malocclusion. With these types of appliances, you can expect to visit the orthodontist around the same amount of time, 4 to 6 weeks.
Aftercare and Care at Home
In between these orthodontic visits, you will need to ensure that you are doing all you can at home to ensure you are looking after your braces and oral health. Following orthodontist guidelines such as avoiding hard, crunchy, and sticky foods, ensuring that you are brushing regularly, including after meals, and maintaining the proper hygiene needed to ensure your treatment is as beneficial to you as possible.
Retainers
Retainers are commonplace after most forms of orthodontic treatment, these are to be worn as frequently as your orthodontist suggests, usually continuously for around 4 to 6 months after treatment. Retainers are needed to ensure that your teeth don’t revert to their original position and can be expected to be worn for up to a year after treatment. You will need to have periodic check-ups whilst wearing your retainers, though not as often as your active orthodontic treatment.
Growth and Development for Children
For younger patients, growth and development play a significant role in orthodontic treatment. Orthodontists may recommend more frequent visits during periods of rapid growth to monitor changes and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. These appointments are crucial for ensuring that the treatment aligns with the natural growth of the jaw and facial structures.
Cheshire Orthodontics: Your Specialist Orthodontist in Cheshire
Every patient is unique, therefore the frequency of visits to your orthodontists will vary based on individual needs. At Cheshire Orthodontics, we put your individual needs at the forefront of our service. We are a specialist-led orthodontist in Cheshire, Cheshire and our variety of expert orthodontic treatments can help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.
At our expert orthodontists in Cheshire, our friendly, passionate, and enthusiastic team works toward providing the best orthodontic service for you, whether for yourself or your child. So, if you would like to book your free consultation, contact us today, your friendly and reliable orthodontist in Cheshire.
