What to Expect

Orthodontic Treatment

Your dentist may have discussed with you the benefits of having healthy teeth and proper jaw alignment. Crooked and crowded teeth are hard to clean and maintain, which makes them more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease and possibly tooth loss. Other orthodontic problems can contribute to abnormal wear of tooth surfaces, inefficient chewing function, excessive stress on the gum tissues and the bone that supports the teeth, or misalignment of the jaw joints.

Treatment by an orthodontist can be less costly than the additional care required to treat dental problems arising as a result of orthodontic problems, but for most people, it’s their new, beautiful smile that offers the most obvious benefit of orthodontic treatment.

Your First Visit/Consultation

At your first visit to the orthodontist, the doctor will take digital photos of your face and teeth, take digital x-rays and perform a clinical examination. As well, we review your medical and dental history to make sure Orthodontic treatment can be performed. Based on that preliminary information we normally can outline the possible orthodontic treatment and the length of time needed.

After Your Initial Consultation

After the first consultation, the next step is to take diagnostic records to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records normally include digital study models of the teeth and further digital x-rays, if needed. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient, as well as allowing us to track the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.

Getting Your Appliance and Future Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for adjustments, which take about 15 to 30 minutes.

Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us within 48 hours if possible. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.